Welcome to our comprehensive guide that takes you through the delicate process of restoring and repairing your beloved collectable figures. There’s nothing quite as disappointing as finding a prized piece in your collection with a bent part, a result of mishap or time. Luckily, such distortions in plastic aren’t a life sentence for your figure. In this illustrated guide, we’ll demonstrate a straightforward, practical method to restore bent plastic parts, helping you return your collectables to their original glory. This is not just a testament to your commitment as a collector, but a rewarding project that adds value and longevity to your precious collection. Let’s embrace the spirit of restoration and breathe new life into your collectable figures!
For this example, I found that the head spike on the Dwarven Colossus figure that came with the collector’s edition of ESO
How To Fix Bent Plastic on Figures
Identify the section of your collectable figure that is bent. It’s crucial to examine it carefully and understand the original shape it’s supposed to take. If possible, refer to pictures or diagrams of the figure in its pristine condition.
You will need to make sure you know the original position of the plastic and more importantly, carefully inspect how to bend it back to the original position. If you do this wrong and use too much force, you could end up bending the plastic in a way that risks snapping it off.
Preparing Warm Water
Get a heat-safe container and fill it with warm water. The water temperature should be warm enough to make the plastic pliable, but not boiling as extreme heat may warp or damage the plastic further. Around 140-160°F (60-70°C) is typically suitable.
Submerging the Bent Part
Submerge the bent part of the figure in the warm water. Allow it to soak for around 1-2 minutes. This will soften the plastic, making it easier to manipulate.
Reshaping the Plastic
Carefully remove the figure from the warm water using a towel to protect your hands. While the plastic is still warm and flexible, gently bend it back to its original shape. Be patient and careful to avoid causing additional damage.
Once the piece is back to its desired shape, use a gentle clamp or tape to hold it in position. Be mindful not to use excessive force, as this could leave unwanted impressions on the softened plastic.
Let the plastic cool naturally at room temperature. This process might take a few minutes to an hour, depending on the size and thickness of the plastic. If you find it is taking a long time to cool down, you may need to use some kind of clamp to keep the plastic in its original position to stop it from bending back to the misshapen state.
Inspect the Result
After the plastic has fully cooled and hardened, carefully remove the clamp or tape. Inspect the figure to ensure the part has returned to its correct shape. If it’s not quite right, don’t worry, you can repeat the process until you achieve the desired result.
I found with this figure that it looked good for a few hours but then slowly started to return to the bent position. I repeated the process and this time, used a simple clip with some tissue as padding and clamped the piece on the head for 24 hours. The plastic never returned to its bent shape after doing this.
This guide offers a simple and effective way to restore your collectable figures. While it might require a bit of patience and precision, it’s a small price to pay to keep your collection in prime condition. Happy restoring!
