Last night I installed the rudder hinge using 30-min epoxy. I thought I cleaned up the actual hinge part, but this morning the rudder moves very stiff. Obviously some glue in there. IT got better the more I worked it left and right but I'd like to free it up and give the rudder servo a break. Will any solvent remove it without attacking the plastic hinge material? Or am I stuck cleaning it up with an x-acto knife?

MIke

Yep; you've got a date with an Xacto knife!

For the NEXT Time that you are installing hinges may I recommend;

Buy a tube of Chap Stick (Wal mart type for your lips)
Fold the hinges back onto themselves, (this exposes the maximum part of the Pin Hinge)
Take the Chap Stick and rub it gently on the exposed hinge,
Take the hinges and quickly run them through a candle (lighter, match, or heat gun)
Fold the hinges over and repeat the process.
Lay the hinges on their edge to cool.

What this does is, it puts a SMALL AMOUNT of lubricant into the hinge.

No epoxy or glue will stick to it.

Be careful! not to get any Chap Stick on the rest of the hinge - because NOTHING WILL STICK TO THAT EITHER!

Afterwards any excess epoxy will scrape off without problems and the hinges move freely.

I find it just as easy to use some vasoline and a toothpick for the hinge pin area.

Geez, that seems so simple and brilliant. Note taken for next time...

Mike

Campy;
Same idea; just a different applicator.

Black B12;
Simple is best! This site is here to share knowledge to help everyone - you are a prime example of how well the site works!

Enjoy!

Here's another way. Get a metal bottle cap . Fill it with vaseline. Use your heat gun and melt the vaseline. Fold the hinge on itself and dip part way into the melted vaseline. Allow to gel. Open and insert into slot. Slick. Regards.

I glued my dubro hinges and they were very very tight from glue in the joint. I loosened them up with alcohol and a que tip. It will take several minutes of moving them back and forth while the hinge is soaked in alcohol, but they ended up completely free.

I just fold the hinge onto itself, and drip some light oil on the hinge area. Dab it off with a paper towel. Takes 15 seconds per hinge.

too late now, but why not the Pro-bond glue? I always use it on my hinges and have never once had one pull out that I haven't had to hack at myself to get loose. It doesn't stick to metal, and although I always use vaseline on the hinge line when I put it in, the hinges then work great.

SAAAYYYYY. That melted vasoline trick is a keeper. Thanks![sm=thumbup.gif][sm=idea.gif]

I use probond too, I also punch a larger hole in the glue area so when the glue dries it acts as a pin.