Vinyl Cape Repair Guide

gustie

Sith Lord
Joined
Mar 31, 2007
Messages
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Iceland
had a bit of time to spare so i made this since i recently got a nice bulk load of figures.

as you can see the capes look a bit "tired"
before1.jpg

The armholes have mis-shaped and one torn
before2.jpg

The Hoth Stormtrooper cape slits have mis-shaped and wont hold on properly
before3.jpg


so its time to make them look better :)

you will need...

boiling water in a jug/pan/sink
flat surface (i used a placemat)
sponge
washing up liquid
tea towel

1- pop the TOP of the cape into the hot water for about 4 seconds
dip1.jpg

2- place on flat surface and SMOOTH the cape removing the trapped air/water underneath
flatten1.jpg

3- Repeat step 1 holding the BOTTOM of the cape in the water for about 4 seconds
dip2.jpg

4- Repeat step 2 and smooth out again
flatten2.jpg

5- While the cape is still stuck to the flat surface due to the water give it a once over with a sponge and washing up liquid.
clean.jpg

6- Dry off carefully with a tea towel
dry.jpg


And thats it!

You can see the difference in the hoth stormtrooper slits...
compare1.jpg

Also the armhole rip has been ironed out so you wont notice it so much.
finish2.jpg


and heres all four finished....
finish1.jpg

compared too...
before1.jpg
 

tiefighterboy

Grand Master
Joined
Jan 22, 2008
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Michigan USA
WOW! That is trick I have never seen. Looks like it works quite well. Do they stay that way after they cool down??? I know sometimes vinyl and plastic have memory.
 

gustie

Sith Lord
Joined
Mar 31, 2007
Messages
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Location
Iceland
they usually hold very well

sometimes they slightly curve back but the holes and slits stay like new again

this method can uncrease the armholes nicely when they get flared open from being on the arms and will return to the original hole size
 

01AB

Jedi Knight
Joined
Jan 7, 2008
Messages
310
Was trying to think of other 'how to's, but I'm sure most know the 'boiling water to straighten limbs' one, a way of whitening discoloured Stormtroopers/Wampas etc would be cool but I guess thats nigh on impossible...
Does anyone know of a way to fix wobbly/loose limbs other than wrapping cotton round/inbetween the joints (I remember doing this to an old Hammerhead when I was a kid)?

I'm off to straighten my very bendy wicket spear whilst the wife watches 'Skins'.
 

gustie

Sith Lord
Joined
Mar 31, 2007
Messages
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Location
Iceland
well...

loose limbs can be fixed...

Step 1

Boil the limb for 1 minute.

Step 2

Remove the limb from the hot water then QUICKLY compress the post into the limb on a flat surface. OR you can use pliers to compress the post or to hold it in place, but be careful the metal doesn't damage the limb.

Step 3

While compressed quickly dunk limb in ice water for 1 minute. lots of ice cubes in it!
 

tiefighterboy

Grand Master
Joined
Jan 22, 2008
Messages
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Location
Michigan USA
You can remove Kenner "Crystalization" from carded figures by placing them in direct sunlight for about 45 minutes. This will kill this plastic mold condition seen on some kenner figures and will not harm the blister.
 

Jedi83

Padawan
Joined
Mar 27, 2008
Messages
88
Location
UK
Like O1AB says does anybody know how to get rid of faded storm troopers, wampas etx. I have a few troopers who have a nice custard coloured body armour that I woudent mind getting back to the original white. And why does it only seem to affect the body area?
 

gustie

Sith Lord
Joined
Mar 31, 2007
Messages
3,404
Location
Iceland
the torso's are ABS plastic and the limbs are PVC generally.


The yellowing is irriversable as its a breakdown in the plastic that turns it yellow.

read this

http://www.starwarsforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1942&p=26388&hilit=yellowing#p26388
 

Jedi83

Padawan
Joined
Mar 27, 2008
Messages
88
Location
UK
Cheers Gustie, Oh by the way nice capes. I will be giving it ago. Oh and I still need to send you a pic of the Lando I bought last month they we thought the cape was a repo. I did a post on it. I think its repo.

I am gonna do a bit of testing to see if I can get rid of this custard yellow defect. Any ideas? I though soaking a trooper in bleach, but I didnt want to remove the black pinted areas?
 

jabbawokkie

Grand Master
Joined
Oct 19, 2006
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Location
barnsley
yeah bleech is a waste of time i left a wampa in and got no joy ,well it did clean it uip a treat just didnnt effect the yellowing
 

Joe

Grand Master
Joined
Jun 13, 2008
Messages
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Location
Here
Just a bump on this because I want to try it out soon and keep forgetting where it is :lol:

*bumps for himself
 

Stargeezer

Sith Lord
Joined
Sep 4, 2008
Messages
1,475
Location
Belgium
I did my VC jawa cape a couple off months ago in a similar method using a hairdryer instead off hot water, this works perfectly well (and fast) although hot water is a safer method.

Cheers
 
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