G.I. Joe Repairs - How do I fix that?
GI Joe Hospital
I don't customize and I don't create dioramas; but fixing, restoring, constructing and completing GI Joe figures and vehicles is an enjoyable part of the 3 3/4" hobby for me. There are few problems that cannot be remedied in one way or another. So let me first list a small number of issues that, while treatable, simply have no real cure. Correcting the following problems may actually decrease the value of a figure or vehicle and any such repairs should be made public when selling the item.
Some things you just can't call mint.
- Broken Thumbs, Crotches and Other Body Parts: If you have the plastic piece that broke off, you can carefully super glue it back on. You might not even be able to notice. The best choice is to find a replacement body part.
- Missing or Worn Paint: Most collectors would rather this be left alone. If you want to touch up your personal collection, by all means - break out the brushes.
- Yellowing and Discoloration: The white plastic of figures such as Storm Shadow v1 and Snow Job v1 will often turn yellow over time. The commonly held view is that the change is caused by direct exposure to light. Certain figures with grey or blue plastic like Firefly v1 and Cobra Troopers will also discolor.
So far I have not personally found a way to reverse this affect. I tried the Oxi-Clean method with poor results. There was no whitening but my 1984 Storm Shadow's joints became loose. I am told that ForPro (and I have seen before and after pictures) will make white figures look like new-fallen snow. I have also been told (and I have seen before and after pictures) that PlastX will make clear plastic vehicle parts such as windows look like squeaky-clean glass. I will eventually try these two methods and report my results here. Another option for these figures is a custom paint job or dyeing.
- Cracked Elbow Joint: The only option is to replace the whole arm. These small hairline cracks don't bother me at all, but many collectors want dead mint specimens for their collections.