Fix it guide - Cleaning vintage action figures - Toy Polloi
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- Опубліковано 24 лип 2024
- A quick guide on how to clean vintage action figures. I get asked about this a lot, so thought I would do a video.
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Have just started collecting vintage SW and this is a great summary for the beginner to the hobby wanting to clean their figures up especially for a lower budget who don't spend hundreds on mint examples. Thank you - new subscriber today
Glad it was helpful!
This plus your loose limb fix video were so helpful! I cleaned and tightened up a cloud car pilot I found in a $5 bin and now he looks like new!
Recently cleaned a Filthy Leia Organa from a recent buy and was so happy with the end result. Still not brave enough for the hydrogen peroxide but by just cleaning them with a toothbrush made a World of difference. No better satisfaction than a clean figure!! Great video as always, man.
It really is amazing what wonders soaking these guys does. I washed up a dirt caked tie fighter pilot I bought for cheap and he is like new. Some of that grime was really tucked away under his neck area and it took 2 full cleaning sessions to clear plus. Q-tip. Great video by the way!
@Toy Polloi I've been watching ( and rewatching ) a lot of your videos recently thanks to the Corona lockdown and you have inspired me to use the abundant spare time I currently have to continue with a project I have been sitting on for some time. A few years ago I was given a bag full of old Star Wars figures by a colleague who knew of my collecting habit, they are all beaters, some of which are restorable and some in such poor condition I decided to try my hand at making some customs. Reviving the painting skills I learnt on model kits and Warhammer 40,000 figures in my youth I have given a Biker Scout a camo paint job I'm happy with, restored and ATAT Commander for my collection and a Bespin Han for my nephew.
However, when I came to wash the rest of the batch recently, following your steps, I found that several figures are covered in a white residue once they'd dried. I rewashed them, this time with no soap, but to no avail. Any idea what this is or what I can do to remedy the situation? On the subject of customising, I have successfully managed a few head swaps with the boil and pop method, but I was wondering, is it possible to boil and pop arms too? I am working on a Throne Room Luke, Dresselian Jedi and Rebel Commando using the Endor Luke, Jedi Luke and Prune Face figures and I want to put the Prune Face arms on the Jedi Luke body and hoping I won't have to resort to cutting the hands off!!
Sorry to ramble, thanks for your time and your great videos, i look forward to seeing more.
Can you send me some photos of what you mean? Use any of the social media links in my banner. Cheers
@@toypolloi Thanks for the reply!! I'll send some photos on Instagram
Thanks for this. Just bought a vintage boba fett on eBay that was need of a good scrub. Turned out great.
so glad you mentioned not to soak he-man figures. Was about to do just that until you mentioned!
Great advice as always. Still waiting for you to do one on restoring metallic figures like C-3PO and the Death Star Droid.
Its still on the list. Just waiting to pick up a well worn figure.
That's the most fun for me. To pickup dirty figures and giving a good wash and then touching them up slightly with acrylic paint
Thanks for the advice!
Hi very helpful video..how about figures that become sticky.?
Thank you my dad gave me his old He-man action figures and I needed a way to wash them
Dear Toy Polloi
Thank you for your videos. I enjoy your candor as well.
I have read through comments and employed your cleaning advice.
Some of the figures (particularly white plastic body parts) still have a dark hue to them. Not sticky, nothing that scrubs off, no yellowing. Just darker.
Is that just age? Is it remedied with the HP 6% solution as well?
Thanks again
Cheers
Suggestions for getting rid of the pink and purple coloring of MOTU's Roboto and Two Bad figures? Some of silver boots oddly change color over the years. I tried a Magic Eraser from Clorox and it did OK, but I'm hoping for better.
how do u deal with the figures that get sticky in a sort of melting way? I'm afraid that by brushing them it might remove the paint
Dope 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽 great help thank you sir!!
great video! thank you!
so... the first step is soap and watter ande then to remove yellow we use Hydrogen peroxide.. am I correct? thanks
This was very helpful founded a old buzz lightyear toy of my when I was little and I decided to clean him up and fix him
How do you get Green Fuzzy Mold
Off MacFarland collectable toys
This method helps to remove the sticky of the plastic?
Is this methods safe for paint applications?
Awesome! very helpful! =)
Hello Toy Polloi. Do you have any advice, or a video, on how to treat / fix plastics that have become slightly sticky over time due to the materials breaking down?
A good wash in hot soapy water should help. It will come back though as the plastic will continue to degrade. Cheers
Great video. I was wondering would you recommend using armor all or some plastic protectant after cleaning? I know the plastic is starting to degrade so I'd like to do anything I can to preserve them.
jayc3472 I don't use anything like that. The plastic does seem to get sticky as it gets older, but just washing them in warm soapy water removes this.
Thank you for your reply. I don't know if you know this but the stickiness is because the plastic is breaking down. I just learned this myself. They say that carded figures in the blister pack are the worst condition. For now I'll use soap and water and hopefully I can find a process that slows down the degrading. I've watched some of your videos and you ldo great work. Keep up the good work.
jayc3472 I'm not sure anything will slow it down apart from keeping them in a stable environemnt and out of direct sunlight. These toys were never made to last. Cheers
toy paolloi can you use Palmolive dish soap? or what kind of soap do u recommend ?
Yes. Any mild detergent will work fine.
Can anyone recommend me a lubricant for joints of action figures?
I’m gonna try this with my old Toy Island Sonic figures that I found on eBay and a yard sale. Is it okay to use dish soap as an alternative?
Any mild soap should be fine.
i have used the hydrogen peroxide trick you use for some of my stuff but what about slightly larger items, am i right i saw you use a different method for whitening or was it retroblasting that may have done that? some sort of cream? i have just managed to reclaim all my old kenner star collection after thinking it had gone missing for 30 years and want to restore some of the larger stuff where it has yellowed so my 9 year old son can then also benefit from them.
+Paul Stone Hydrogen peroxide cream is what you are after. Boots and super drug sell it in the UK.
+Toy Polloi brilliant i knew there was a cream but couldnt remember it. will pop to boots/superdrug this week then. thanks
+Paul Stone No problem. It's pretty cheap. Cover the yellowed area with it, then cover that in clingfilm to stop it drying out.
I am curios about what soap to use when cleaning the figures. I want to clean a dirty Cyclone, but not sure about the soap. Should I just use handsoap or maybe mild baby shampoo/soap?
I use dish soap. That always works great.
@@toypolloi I was using "YES dish soap" on on an old 1976 Hulk, and I felt that the plastic/rubber got "sweaty". Anyways. Any dish soap in particular you would recommend. I live in Scandinavia, so we might have some different items to choose from. Have a good day. 👍
Great show. Have been purchasing vintage star wars figures that have spent years in cellar/basement. They have a musty smell to them, but are in remarkable shape with all accesories there. Even after a bath as you have shown they still smell. Have you encountered this? Is there a way to deodorize? Thanks.
Can't say I have. Could try a wipe down with some kitchen cleaner like Mr muscle.
Toy Polloi I am going to experement with a box of baking soda, a shoe box and time. I will let you know the results.
Baking soda sounds like a good idea. Just need something to absorb the smell.
Toy Polloi Another friend suggested laundry dryer sheets. I will also try this and report.
Hey man, slightly different request, stickiness. I have a few 90s figures and the weapons are sticky. I guess plasticisers are leaching after 30 yrs etc. have you come across this and any tips to calm it down. Thanks and you are the Don of Old toy preservation. You need a badge.
Much the same as this. A good wash in hot soapy water will help to remove the sticky feeling. But it will come back as the plastic continues to degrade. Some talcum power can also help.
Thanks!!!!
Would this work with hasbro wwf figures including the submerging in warm water part? I just don’t want to flood anything with water and stay stuck in there
If you are worried about that, just wipe them down, don't submerge. It's not a toy line I collect.
Also there are some marks that are on painted parts of a figure, what is the best way to remove them without messing with the paint if cleaning with soap and water doesn’t work?
My original 12 figures (including small head Han and vinyl cape Jawa) were painted at the time by my brother using Testor's enamel model paint. Does anyone have any idea if it is possible to clean that paint off without damaging the plastic and maybe even the paint underneath?
Yes, I have a few videos that show how to fix this very issue. Just like this: ua-cam.com/video/LgihFFqRwMw/v-deo.html
@@toypolloi Awesome!!! Thanks so much fir the quick reply! Love your channel!
the stormies look good dirty, look like troopers in tattoine dirty with sand
What about MOTU figures, I have some but am worried about the spring
+Dragon Props Use an old toothbrush and don't submerge them.
Cheers
Soapy water AND vinegar! Let em soak for a while then rinse! Works a treat! AND quick! 😉
Can I use lighter fluid to clean an open belly tauntaun, his belly is brownish?
Worth a try.
@@toypolloi ok thank you I’ll give it a shot, have a great Christmas!
Worked like a charm, his belly is now perfect , thanks , lighter fluid is amazing ! My vehicles and figures look brand new
How would you clean C-3PO vac metalized figures?
Same way really. I wouldn't submerge him as he has a metal rivet. Just use a toothbrush and hot soapy water.
@@toypolloi will do, thank you. Just want to make sure I don’t scratch the metalized parts.
Hi Dave. Possibly a silly question but have you noticed washing in hot water affecting the limb looseness? When I was a kid, my friends and I always had a thing about keeping them away from water (eg taking them into the bath), because it would make them loose. Perhaps a myth of childhood? Cheers.
I’ve never heard of this. The limbs get loose the more you play with the toy. Not sure how water would affect that.
@@toypolloi Maybe the swelling and contracting of the plastic depending on heat? It could potentially cause the joint to swear a little faster if it's slightly swollen, but I wouldn't think it would be a huge difference.
What is the best way to get rid of stickiness on action figures without damaging them?
Wash them in hot soapy water. That should remove it.
Thank you!
This is an entertaining video why can't all videos be about toys?
Just got dark Vader with a perfect saber and robe. But he’s super dirty. A spider even made a nest under the robe.
Is it ok to use toothpaste on toys. I found it worked better on my white figurine
I'm sure it is. I've not used it myself but have heard others suggest it
Do you have any suggestions to fix sticky toys?
Normally a good wash in hot soapy water will help. But it is caused by the plastic degrading. Check out my Toy Entropy video for more on that.
@@toypolloi will do. Love your videos. Thanks!
woul dawn be a good soap to use?
I don't know what that is. Just use a soap you hand wash dishes with.
Toy Polloi thanks!!
Do you collect sh figuarts dragon ball z figures by chance well I get paint rub or anything that well harm the figures
I don't. What's the issue with them? Send me a DM. Cheers
Ok well do
I don’t know what to do with figures with capes, sabers, and droids? My OCD and I are having a blast...
Take the capes off and give them a good wash 😁
how to make your figures white as before?
Try this: ua-cam.com/video/HvGdlGMrkTI/v-deo.html
So just a lil warm water and dish soap? That shouldn't be to hard to clean the vintage snow trooper i have
Can you blow dry them?
Just let them air dry. You may damage them if you heat them to much.
@@toypolloi awesome. Thank you 😊
Thank you help me cleaned my mega sharpedo here a like and sub
I used a toothbrush on a 1977 Star Wars figure and all the paint came off. Sad😢
I've never had that happen. What figure was it?
Person: HOW DO I CLEAN MY FIGURES!? Toy polloi: you clean them... ._.
Yep, you are correct. But I get asked all the time how I clean them. So it was easier to make a video :D
+Toy Polloi Haha
Can this works on wwe figs
Should so. It's just basic cleaning.
+Toy Polloi thanks but do you collect toys or wwe figures
I collect toys of all sorts. But not WWE.
+Toy Polloi oh ok
Don't soak Kenner Super Powers figures either - most have metal parts in their action mechanisms!
Can I have your Luke stormtrooper
Too bad my figure has stickers
Just don't put them in the water. Use a toothbrush to bring water to the toy and avoid the stickers.
Breezing through the stickers with a hair blower set on hot works well. It dries the sticker/glue on the other side and peels off.
I know this is old but please respond as soon as possible