Annealing Stainless Steel Photoetch

[PJE]

I’m hoping to get started on a 1/24 scale Academy Ferrari 250 LM build. One area that has always intimidated me are the chrome headlight cover surrounds. How do I get them to fit the contour of the fender. In doing some research about annealing photoetch parts, I believe I have the solution. The thing is, I’ve mainly found videos on annealing brass PE. Does anyone have any experience with annealing stainless steel PE? How do you prevent discoloration because of the heat? How long do you have to heat the PE? Also, what’s your favorite torch for small work like this?

Paul Erlendson

[gp-models]

I did this job a couple of times in 1:43, but i never tried to heat them cause of the heat stains. I simply used a roler to give the part the right shape and that`s it, works fine to me.

[viperdoug]

Don't use a torch, you will destroy it in seconds. I have a small electric heating element that I lay the parts on. It can take a few seconds or more to do. Make sure the element is red hot. I do this on hose clamps for my MFH kits, I lightly polish with a 3000 grit pad to remove discoloring before bending the part. These parts are SS and not brass, works great.

[ah100m]

What do you mean by a "...small electric heating element"? Hot plate? Soldering iron? I have an adjustable soldering iron. Any idea of a good temp for stainless steel?