Fixing bent figures?

[Xuco]

Hey guys, sorry if this is the wrong forum but I wasn't sure where else to ask.

Anyways, I have some bent figures I'm trying to fix. Now I have looked it up and have heard various suggestions. I have tried holding it next to a light bulb or using a hair dryer to soften up the plastic. Then I have tried to let it run under cold water. I have also tried putting it in the freezer immediately after heating up the plastic. I have tried various times, but inevitably the figure returns to its bent state (even if it does hold for a day or two).

Am I doing something wrong? What do you guys do to fix bent figs? Help would be much appreciated.

One of the figures I'm trying to fix is the Green Lantern & Green Arrow duo. The little beam coming out of Hal's ring curves straight down. While quite hilarious, I think I've gotten enough laughs out of it and I'd like it to be straight. Thanks! :)

[LordSpawn]

id like to know this i have a ms marvel from SI thats bent forward and leaning toward ground and its annoying as heck lol

[ol_Dut]

I heat them with a hair dryer and then hold them in the desired posture until they cool and can maintain that pose on their own. That method has never failed me. If it isn't working for you, try heating and holding them longer.

[TheFreak]

i usually use a lit candle, hold it a few inches above the flame, and keep an eye on it CLOSELY. Close enough to get warmth...but not close enough to melt/bubble. Once it warms enough, i usually blow on it a bit, you can also dunk the figure part in cold water. Works like a charm for me!

[sphin]

There was a great article series about this topic on the Star Wars Miniatures site, but it's gone now. :-(

Anyway, the gist of fixing bent plastic was to have two small (and sturdy) cups of water. One should be cold. The other you microwave until it's boiling. Holding the mini carefully you dunk the bent part into the water and hold for no more than 30 seconds. When it comes out it will be very pliable. Being careful not to burn yourself, hold the figure in the position you want it to have, and while holding it that way dunk it into the cold water and hold there until it re-hardens.

Of course, that won't be possible for all minis, especially if the bend is way down by the base. I've used this technique successfully in the past. Good luck!

[W.I.T]

The hair dryer/freezer trick is the one I've used in the past, and it worked great, but that was on older figures, I've never tried it on on figure newer than Avengers.

[Xuco]

Well I guess I just wasn't holding them in place long enough. I tried holding the figs over a candle, and then dumping them in ice water. Worked like a charm. Thanks for all the help guys :)

[brevard321]

Try heating the figures over a light bulb from a desk lamp. Hold the figure with plyers or something so you don't burn yourself.

When the figure is sufficiently heated and bendy, mold it to the shape you want it and hold it there, and either blow on it cool it down while holding it, or dunk it in cold water.

Either way, don't burn your fingers on the light bulb, and make sure to take the dial out of the game piece so it doesn't get melty or wet. :)

EDIT:

Light bulbs = Safe Electricty and bending

Candles = Unsafe fire and possible death! Man I hate candles!

[CowboyBebop]

I heat them with a hair dryer and then hold them in the desired posture until they cool and can maintain that pose on their own. That method has never failed me. If it isn't working for you, try heating and holding them longer.

Same here. My wife has a hair dryer that has a heat and cool setting. Heat to position, cool to keep it there. Never fails.

[spike1138]

A trick I've used with great success is to set the figures on the hood of my Jeep, near the latch, and let the heat from the engine soften the plastic. (I tend to do this when I've come home from lunch and have parked in the garage...)