How To Take Apart A Hotwheels Car Without A Drill?

I’m assuming you just got your Hot Wheels and want to open your model collection. As a collector, we always recommend not opening your model as it may lose its value, but sometimes it is necessary. Because it is a toy, there are times when you want to play with it. But how do you open your Hot Wheels car correctly? Anything to consider?

To open the Hot Wheels, you must first remove the rivets. This is because permanent fasteners hold the model together. You will then need to drill a hole with a 9/64-inch drill bit to remove the rivet head. Finally, remove the model base from the main unit with a flathead screwdriver.

This blog post details the easiest steps to open your Hot Wheels car and helpful bonus tips like how to open your Hot Wheels without puncturing or damaging the map.

Steps to Open a Hot Wheels

There are two types of Hot Wheels collectors. The first type loves to collect cars to display and keep as an investment, and the other type is a car enthusiast who loves to modify cars and make them his own.

It isn’t always hard to disassemble a hot Wheels or similar 1/64 scale diecast toy. However, it calls for using a drill and accurately sized drill bits. Allow’s get started.

Step One: Remove the Rivets

Turn the Hot Wheels around, and you’ll notice the rivets holding the die-cast cars together.

This rivet is a permanent fastener and requires a drill to remove it.

Start by drilling pilot holes with a 1/16-inch drill bit. 

The drill maintains a 90-degree angle. Now is a great time to think about rebuilding casting. If you reassemble the toy with screws, drill a hole in the post the length of the replacement screw.

However, if the toy will be reassembled with glue or epoxy, there is no need to countersink the 1/16″ hole. This is just a guide for the 9/64″ bits we will use later.

Step Two: Remove the Rivet Head

The best practice is to replace the drill bit with a 9/64-inch drill bit. The size of this bit is comparable to the size of a rivet head. The 9/64-inch hole is only for removing the rivet head. It’s flat, so take it slow.

Step Three: Pull with a Small Slot-Head Screwdriver

You can separate the car body from the base by removing the rivet heads. The die-cast base and body often fit very tightly and may have glue around the edges. Use a small flathead screwdriver to pull the vehicle’s floor away from the body.

Bonus Tips

How do you open a Hot Wheels without a drill?

To open the hot wheel without drilling, you will need to use a soldering iron with a small tip so that it does not interfere with the removal of the base. The rivets and plastic base are then heated until they can be disassembled. The main reason for admission

What makes Hot Wheels apart without drilling is that you can put them together without realizing you’ve modified them.

This method does not work on older vehicles with metal bases.

However, you can disassemble a new plastic-based car without drilling rivet holes. A soldering iron is used to heat the rivet and plastic base enough to break them apart.

However, remember that using a soldering iron is less safe than drilling.

How to open a Hot Wheels car with a soldering iron.

To disassemble a Hot Wheels car without a drill, you will need a soldering iron with a small tip that does not interfere with removing the base.

A higher-powered iron will work faster, but ensure the tip is small enough to fit the rivet head.

If you have a low-power iron, plug it in and wait 15 minutes for it to heat up.

Stack waste material to stabilise the car while working. In the meantime, you have to wait for it to warm up.

You need to be able to hold the car parallel to the iron and still iron firmly.

Place the iron tip on the rivet long enough to heat it. The same as at

Weller high-performance unit, press the trigger if the iron has one.

The rivet usually takes at least 30 seconds to heat up and soften the plastic.

Move the car wheels back and forth as gently as possible.

You may need to wiggle for another 30 seconds until the wheel and base are free.

Be careful not to touch anything with the soldering iron as you work.

Work gloves are strongly recommended.

How do you open Hot Wheels without damaging the card?

Using nail polish remover and a cotton swab, gently tap the line where the bubble meets the card; you can open the hot wheels without damaging the card. Then wait 30 seconds to 2 until the drop comes out naturally. Wait a minute and gently lift the foam off the ground.

I need a bottle of nail polish remover.

Acetone can also be used, but paint remover is much more effective.

Cotton swabs or earplugs. It’s the perfect size with rounded ends so it can hold many polish removers.

The most important thing to note is that you must use nail polish remover on the back of the card.

Yes, you have to tap the line where the blister touches the card to avoid the risk of removing some of the paint from the front.

1. Pour nail polish remover into the cap.
2. Soak a cotton swab in the solution until it is completely saturated.
3. Note where the surface foam meets the card (not exactly centred), and gently apply nail polish remover to the corresponding area on the back of the card. Always use the
4. solution to the bottom and edges. Leave the blister top so the car can be folded and put back together. Once the
5. card is fully submerged, flip it over and ensure it is threaded in the correct place (under the edge of the bubble).
6. Wait 30 seconds to 2 minutes (depending on temperature and conditions), and you will see the air bubble spontaneously pop out section by section.
7. Carefully lift the blister pack from below.

How do you open and reseal Hot Wheels?

It takes about 5-10 minutes for the card to dry completely, and since it’s a chemical solution instead of water, it dries without leaving any marks.

Individual vehicles can now be easily added. Then put the bubble back on and wait for it to dry.

PVA wood glue is highly recommended as it dries clear and can be applied cleanly with a cotton swab.

Things Needed For Taking Apart Hotwheels Car

So, here are the things I love when taking care of my Diecast Models.

Cleaning the Models

1. The first thing I’m going to talk about is cleaning the model.
2. Dust removal
3. Air Brush – For me, this is the best because it removes dust and can also be used for painting and a clear coat.
4. Air Duster – This is a great alternative to an airbrush.
5. Regular brush – If you are on a budget, you can use a regular brush. However, choose a soft brush as hard brushes tend to scratch. I recommended a good brush that will do the job right.

Cleaning and Shining Hacks

Painting the Models

Here are some of my cleaning tips to remove scratches, oxidation and more.

1. Remove Adhesive from Stickers – Use Google one for hard-to-remove adhesive from stickers. It works fast and works like a charm!
2. Waxing and polishing – this is what many people do not know. The wax protects the clear coat and colour, while the polished shine makes the model shine. Save money by using 2-in-1 devices instead of buying them separately. Get these instead.
3. Beginner Wax – The wax I recommended earlier is good and gives the best results, in my experience. But beginners can have problems, especially those who are not good at applying wax. Solid wax that gets on hard-to-reach surfaces can be difficult to remove. Here you have two options. One uses a cotton swab to reach these surfaces, and the other uses liquid wax.
4. Wheel, Rubber and Plastic Cleaning – Remember that rubber and plastic surfaces are very different, especially in cleaning. Just wiping is not enough. That’s why I use Meguiar Vinyl and Rubber Cleaner and Conditioner. It works like a charm!
5. Make your wheels shine! – The beauty of our models is not complete without fine details like shiny wheels! Because no matter how small it is, the difference can be as big as night and day.
6. Remove scratches easily – Small scratches are far from the model’s edge. I use this simple trick to keep my model scratch-free without repainting. Use T-cut.

Painting Tools

1. Make sure you have them handy when painting the model.
2. Tape – Tape is essential when drawing straight lines. It also prevents the paint from splashing onto other parts. I recommend Tamiya tape, which is made for models. In addition, it has high adhesion and prevents paint spills.
3. Brushes (Beginner) – Find a great brushes to paint your model. Of course, you can opt for an airbrush, but it is quite expensive.
4. Airbrush (Intermediate/Advanced) – Sprays paint evenly and easily, giving better results than regular brushes. I recommend it if you know what you are doing.
5. Stand (optional) – A frame is useful as holding the model while painting can be difficult. It’s an option, but I think it’s worth the price for convenience.
6. Drop Cloth – Drop cloth protects the environment from paint.
7. Primer – The most common beginner mistake I see is painting a model without primer. The primer prevents imperfections such as air bubbles and paints from sticking to the model. There is a small price to pay for quality results.

Paints

Of course, you can’t paint well without paint. So here is what I recommend.

1. Acrylic paint is Recommended for beginners because it dries quickly. However, it does not give as good results as enamel paint.
2. Enamel Paint – Provides high-quality finish and long-lasting color. However, it takes a long time to dry and requires experience.

Model Maintenance

Model Storage

1. Simple wooden cabinets – Although the models cannot be displayed, wooden cabinets are suitable for storing these models. It is not a conductor of heat, so the internal temperature remains constant and cool. It also prevents light from penetrating the model, which can lead to oxidation.
2. A clear view cabinet with lock is recommended if you plan to display your model. It can be closed to prevent dust from sticking to the model. Metal is also a good conductor of heat, so it’s best not to put more than one model in each compartment.

FAQs: how to take apart a hotwheels car without a drill?

Summary 

Hotwheels cars are a major toy and fun case for kids; even youth love to keep them. Having HotWheel cars is a fun task. 

The kids today growing up with Hot Wheels will have when they’ve got a career, a family, kids, and they need a hobby, and they discover their old cars, and here we go. They’re back in.

Hope this article will help you in finding your HotWheels.