Polystyrene bending issues

[matt_1185]

Hello all  I’m trying to bend some polystyrene to the shape of my 1/35 scale Venom project /fuselage extension on UH-1Y Venom,  but everytime I heat it up with hot water or heat gun the flat surface becomes bowed…. Any help would be appreciated. 

Edited January 12, 2022 by matt_1185
Spelling

[Woody V]

It's possible that styrene has "grain" so try cutting the size you need from a sheet. If you're already cutting from a sheet (you didn't say) try cutting 90º from the direction you're now cutting.

Edited January 12, 2022 by Archer Fine Transfers

[RLWP]

Another way would be to make the section from multiple strips of thinner sheet.

 

Richard

[Ebf2K]

You can also try bending it around some kind of form and clamp it to the form and see if that doesn't help it hold its shape better.

[Bob MDC]

When you heat a plastic up it expands hence the curving of the plastic, you could try "cold rolling " roll the plastic with a bar on a hard surface that should give you a bend that is flat.

[thierry laurent]

Try using a new sheet of plastic as it is far more souple. Put the strip in hot water for five minutes, roll it and use tape to secure it while it is cooling.