Plastic Figure Tips Glues, Primers and Other Useful Info
Recommended Glues for Plastic Toy Soldiers Most Plastic Toy Soldiers on the market today are injection molded using hard PVC plastic. They can be very difficult to glue together whether making conversions or simply gluing an arm in the socket. Super glue will not work on these type of figures.
We have found that the best glue for figures from Conté Collectibles, Timpo, Britains, Marx and most new production companies is 'Goop' or 'Goo' available at most hardware and homestores or here at MTSC.
Note: Hot Glue guns have also been used with some success.
NEW Tip Just Added: Recommended Primer for Plastic Toy Soldiers While I have been using and recommending the liquid latex method of priming plastic figures with great success for many years there is a new product on the market which I now highly recommend for the priming of all plastic figures. It is Specialty Plastic Primer from Rust-Oleum. Designed to refinish outdoor plastic patio furniture, I have found it has superior paint adhesion on all types of plastics (thanks to Ansley M. Pigg for the tip!)
3 Ways to Keep the Horses Happy To keep riders on their horses we use 'Tacky Wax'. Used by Collectors to keep figures from slipping, sliding or toppling from shelves. Put on bottom of figure...won't stain...washes off with warm water or can be wiped off. Two other methods are once again 'Goop' or a hot glue gun.
Bent Weapons... The Plastic Curse! Weapons and other thin plastic accessories can be straightened by first running the piece under hot water until pliable and then (VERY CAREFULLY) straightening between thumb and index finger, run under cold water. An alternative is to use a hair dyer to warm the plastic and then also running under cold water while holding the piece in position.
