Post by GUYx1 on Dec 4, 2005 16:33:49 GMT -5
Okay -
As you purchase figures (especially vintage figures, here will often be stress cracks in one form or another.
Stress cracks in the neck and knees are quite common.
This usually comes from COSTUME REMOVAL.
As a collector, the best thing to do is purchase multiple figures, but as we are not all living in Japan, buying the figures at 500 yen loose, some precautions must be taken.
Most of the Takara stuff isn't an absolute horror show.
Though the neck damage was so pervasive with the cyborg jaguar, that the reissue head was made of hard plastic (with no inner brain).
NHC cyborg necks can also break without warning (especially the neck of the bald black Colossus CYCOM figure)
All the designer cyborg heads are a little more challenging (and less rubbery) so if you ever want to try them, these techniques will be essential.
For any head transplant / removal, you will need to warm the vinyl. Always seek the most conservative method, until you are comfortable.
If you are trying to remove heads here are a few tips:
#1 SET THE TOY outside on the deck in 90+ degrees heat. This is the least damaging method.
I did a summer photo shoot and everything became soft and ply able.
(Of course not so easy to do in winter.)
#2 Set in front of a heat vent (but have it a few inches away)
#3 The hair dryer-
Hey that is what most of the manuals say to use.
But with everything use caution not to over heat.
Hair on figures, as well as some cloth can melt, clear plastic can discolor and modern chromed soft vinyl (well lotsa bad stuff can happen if over heated, so use as little heat as possible!!!)
#4 Boiling water in the microwave and carefully submerging the head AFTERWARD.
Works great, but again you can over heat the water pretty easily. Use care not to scald yourself due to the sudden geyser of water when the toy hits it.
Avoid prolonged contact with the transparent plastic, and be aware that chromed soft vinyl can separate and discolor with prolonged submersion in hot water.
#5 Steam Gun - A great way to clean the kitchen and a fast way to pop off cyborg vinyl!
Hope this helps!
Guy
As you purchase figures (especially vintage figures, here will often be stress cracks in one form or another.
Stress cracks in the neck and knees are quite common.
This usually comes from COSTUME REMOVAL.
As a collector, the best thing to do is purchase multiple figures, but as we are not all living in Japan, buying the figures at 500 yen loose, some precautions must be taken.
Most of the Takara stuff isn't an absolute horror show.
Though the neck damage was so pervasive with the cyborg jaguar, that the reissue head was made of hard plastic (with no inner brain).
NHC cyborg necks can also break without warning (especially the neck of the bald black Colossus CYCOM figure)
All the designer cyborg heads are a little more challenging (and less rubbery) so if you ever want to try them, these techniques will be essential.
For any head transplant / removal, you will need to warm the vinyl. Always seek the most conservative method, until you are comfortable.
If you are trying to remove heads here are a few tips:
#1 SET THE TOY outside on the deck in 90+ degrees heat. This is the least damaging method.
I did a summer photo shoot and everything became soft and ply able.
(Of course not so easy to do in winter.)
#2 Set in front of a heat vent (but have it a few inches away)
#3 The hair dryer-
Hey that is what most of the manuals say to use.
But with everything use caution not to over heat.
Hair on figures, as well as some cloth can melt, clear plastic can discolor and modern chromed soft vinyl (well lotsa bad stuff can happen if over heated, so use as little heat as possible!!!)
#4 Boiling water in the microwave and carefully submerging the head AFTERWARD.
Works great, but again you can over heat the water pretty easily. Use care not to scald yourself due to the sudden geyser of water when the toy hits it.
Avoid prolonged contact with the transparent plastic, and be aware that chromed soft vinyl can separate and discolor with prolonged submersion in hot water.
#5 Steam Gun - A great way to clean the kitchen and a fast way to pop off cyborg vinyl!
Hope this helps!
Guy
