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[Dave Leishman]

I've noticed over the last 12 months or so that a large number of things that I've bought, from tools to window blinds are packed in flexible blister packs. Some of them are so tough it takes days to get into them and usually results in at least one or two fingers sporting brand new sticking plasters :-\

I've saved a lot of these bits of clear plastic, thinking I might be able to reuse them as windows.

Has anyone tried it, or does anyone know what plastic these are likely to be made of?

[Colin Bishop]

Biodegradable?

[Dave Leishman]

Biodegradable?

Hah! The 'greens' among us might like to think so, but what's the betting these bits of plastic will outlive us all (and our kids probably!).

[Colin Bishop]

Actually Dave, I think a lot of the plastics used for packaging do go brittle or discolour after a while. I agree that they look tempting but I wouldn't build them into a model. The Ferrero Rocher chocolate transparent plastic cases seemed to be quite useful for storage but haven't lasted very well. Not sure if it's the UV in sunlight or something inherent in the plastic. Incidentally the same thing happens with glass which absorbs water over a period of years. Also it is a supercooled liquid rather than a solid and I'm told you can see this in old church windows where the glass has "slumped" to the bottom of the frames. It takes centuries but nothing is stable in the long run just as glassfibre isn't really waterproof - just water resistant. (and Model Boating Forums need periodic renewal!)

[Dave Leishman]

Ok - I feel an experiment coming on.

I'll resist the temptation for now but I'll tape a few different pieces in my workshop window for a year or so and see what happens.

Thanks Colin :)

[Roger in France]

I have used them with good results for some years (also the tiny "blisters" used to pack individual pills). However, with no knowledge of which plastic is being used I am sure there will be deterioration and so I will not use them anywhere where integrity is important or where the plastic cannot be readily replaced.

Roger in France.

[Fast Electricals]

I have not used them as windows, but have made a few of the shaped smaller ones into waterproof covers for my ESCs.

My employer recently chucked out a load of overhead projector transparencies as we now tend to use laptops and projectors. Some of these have found a new life as hatch covers on my fast electrics.

Neil 

[BobF]

Hello Peeps,
I always save the plastic from around  Easter Eggs.
The main reason is for screens and complete blister style tops for sport/fast electric boats.
Not had any problems so far.

Bob
 

[Doc]

I've used the 'blister pack' plastic as windows.  It's been about 2 years (give or take) and they are still windows.  All 'blister' plastic isn't the same so who can say for sure how long they'll last.
 - 'Doc

[crazy yank]

I don't know what kind of blister pack it was, but over 20 years ago I used some for the  cabin windows in my U.S.C.G. lifeboat and it hasn't discolored.  Any sizeable piece, I save for such purposes.  Also, I used pill blisters for running light enclosures on the old lifeboat.  I also recently built the lighthouse on Mayhem and used it there for the windows.  Beats going and buying something for Lord knows how much a square foot. ::)   By the way, I used it on a model airpane over 30 years ago and it's just fine yet.  I crashed the plane several times , but windows survived.

Crazy Yank

[captainpugwash]

I've used blister packs as windows, as as they don't have the clarity of normal acetate, I use them on period ships where the glass wouldn't have been too pure anyhows. Be careful with CA though...those fumes smoke it up good and proper!  ::)