Head swapping on POTA figures

[llseeker]

Hi guys,

I am new in these forums and already have met very cool & interesting people. Probably the following questions have been asked many times but I couldn't find answers in the tutorials or in other threads:

How do you switch heads on type 1 and type 2 POTA figures? Do you just pull them off? Are there any tricks or procedures that I should be aware of? Are type 1 heads and type 2 heads exactly the same or do they have differences?

Thanks in advance and best regards

Carlos

[LonnieFisher]

The neck plugs are a different length so the heads just switch with no problem. I'd boil water and dip the heads in for thirty seconds and get it real soft before removing it.

[llseeker]

Hi, thanks for your reply. Are the heads attached with something (string, rubber band, etc), or do they just come out free after soaking them in the hot water?

The neck plugs are a different length so the heads just switch with no problem. I'd boil water and dip the heads in for a few seconds and get it real soft before removing it.

[Brown Bear]

It's just a neck plug attached to the head. Once you pop it out of one body you should be easily able to pop it into the other.

[megocrazy]

The heads have a neck plug as pictured on the astronaut head below.

Don't boil the water as it could warp the head. Usually good hot water from the tap can do it. Just dunk it for 30 seconds and the rubber will get soft. Should pull out with little effort. Be careful because if the head has any tears in it already it will be much more fragile when it's soft. Inspect the head carefully before starting.

[SUP-Ronin]

I use hot water from the tap as well, not boiling. Use care with any type of tool (screwdriver) as a prying device can damage the body around the neck. If the rubber is good and warm it should come out pretty easily.

[LonnieFisher]

I use boiled water have never had any adverse side affect like warped heads. Tap water seems to not work as well for me, but "to each, his own" as they say. I boil water and put it in a mug that the figure will dunk in and fit well. Soak for about thirty seconds and the head comes out very easily. That way not just the head is softer, also the body. So it releases the neck plug easier.

[TrueDave]

I killed a couple of Planet of the apes guys during my first head swaps. That thin line above the plug LOVES to tear , easpecially it seems on Apes.

I suggest you try it on a throwaway body first. An old Superman ,Action Jackson etc.

[SUP-Ronin]

Some of the ape heads do seem stiffer than other heads (Dr. Zaius in particular), and thus more difficult to safely remove. I've never had a problem using boiling water but our tap water is usually hot enough, so I try that first.

[Cornelius POTA]

Interesting

I have a few Mego figures with bad bodies, and nice heads.

And visa versa.

Will try and swap and see how the figure holds up on a few.

[Nostalgiabuff]

I have never used hot water to swap Mego heads.....modern Re-Mego heads yes, but not the softer original heads. however, if you have a tear already, it might be a good idea to soften it up a bit with warm water.
I usually place the head in the hole and then use a blunt object, such as a s**** handle to gently push it into replace, turning the head while doing this usually helps

[Nostalgiabuff]

wow, word filter would not let me say s p o o n??

[Fire Marshal Bill]

wow, word filter would not let me say s p o o n??

[llseeker]

Hi guys, thank you for sharing your knowledge!!! I am about to receive a POTA lot with a few beaters and certainly will turn advice into action....

[Fire Marshal Bill]

I killed a couple of Planet of the apes guys during my first head swaps. That thin line above the plug LOVES to tear , easpecially it seems on Apes.

Some of the ape heads do seem stiffer than other heads (Dr. Zaius in particular), and thus more difficult to safely remove. I've never had a problem using boiling water but our tap water is usually hot enough, so I try that first.

As luck would have it, the first time i ever tried a head swap it was on a Dr. Zaius head..... and it tore a little . Of course, i hadn't done the boil method as i was unaware of it at the time. I was able to use some Super Glue on the tear and pop the head back on a different body and it seems no worse for the wear. The glue seems to have held the tear together rather nicely.