Poor condition Megos...to restore, or not?

[The Bat]

A recent thread about Repro Megos got Me thinking about this question...if you find a poor conditon Mego(Hair rubbed mostly off, Clothes trashed, etc...)do you leave it that way...or try to restore it?

For example...I saw a Romulan on eBay, with bad Paint rubs and poor Costume. Still...I sure it will sell for a high price. But what good is it? I can't look at it and enjoy it in that condition...therefore he MUST be reastored!RIGHT?? But...if I do that, he won't be "original" anymore because I painted the Hair! Plus...will I ever find his original Costume, Boots, Helmut? Not very likely! So what to do???????????? Sure he's a very valuable figure in good good condition...but not in his present condition.

To Me there's only one choice...RESTORE!!! I would repaint the Hair, have Brian Leitner make Me a Costume with a Chainmail that looks as close to the Original as possible...and then use EMCE Repro's to finish the Job!

Your thoughts?
Dane

[jessica]

Turn him into an ape!!! That's what I would do.

[RG]

I don't know ... with a common figure yeah sure restore it customize it ... part him out etc. but with the rare figures, I would almost leave them in original shape ... might not be mint but would be original ... but if they are really far gone ... I don't know??? I think I would keep it original kind of like a trashed Iron Man card that has been opened it might not have a figure and half of it's gone ... but restoring it would take away from the "original factor" it still has

[SUP-Ronin]

I think you're right on track with the restoration idea. Perhaps change the custom outfit slightly. He'd be sweet that way. Consider him an "army builder". Even in rough shape, he's an original mego and would out rank your EMCEs, so make him an officer. Keep his original stuff in a baggy, to perhaps sell with him at a later time. It would also depend on how bad off he is to begin with.

[megocrazy]

I always restore what I can. With the influx of new collectors there is always someone starting out that needs a beginner piece. I don't usually touch original heads though. Occasionally a sharpie to a dot missing here or there on a hair rub, but only if it's minor and away from the hairline since sharpie will soak and spread if used on the vinyl. ie: never use Sharpie for eyebrows. Other than that, I'm OK with hair rubs. I will unstitch suits and redo them if they're separated. I have even taken two suits apart and restitched fronts and backs together in the past, though it's too time consuming right now which results in a box of beat stuff waiting for some attention. I never use original stuff for customs. I could never cut the tops off a set of original Shazam boots to make a Flash custom for example. I will usually finish an incomplete figure with repro pieces until originals can be found. I figure I buy stuff from Doc or a suit from BL, I add the lots from ebay or other collectors and pile up some rebuilt figures. I usually post em here first and then whatever doesn't sell will end up on ebay. I make a couple of bucks on each one for the trouble, and every once in a while I get a free figure for myself when the couple of bucks make enough for a purchase for the effort. In the mean time Doc, BL, make something, and someone gets a complete or rebuilt figure to start their collection with. Eventually they upgrade and it passes on to someone else kinda full circle.

[kryptosmaster]

I guess it would depend on how bad "bad" is.
Maybe it will clean up?
If you are replacing the outfit and the accessories with repros and repainting the head then what do you have left really? An original Mego body? $5, and a repainted rare head? $??
Might as well buy an Emce one?
How bad do you want one that you'd settle for a trashed one? If there's one trashed one out there then there must be more but like you said, probably few and far between to acquire any original pieces/parts to make yours nice again.
Rich

[Mikey]

I would not restore a rare Mego.

A common or semi-common one, yes.

But not a rare one.

I had a Captain Koenig with hair rubs and yellowing clothing.

I chose to leave him alone -- and when it came time to sell him I found there was more people out there that was willing to pay MORE for a figure that has not been restored.

Rare Mego's are like antique furnature.
Leave them alone

[The Bat]

I guess it would depend on how bad "bad" is.
Maybe it will clean up?
If you are replacing the outfit and the accessories with repros and repainting the head then what do you have left really? An original Mego body? $5, and a repainted rare head? $??
Might as well buy an Emce one?
How bad do you want one that you'd settle for a trashed one? If there's one trashed one out there then there must be more but like you said, probably few and far between to acquire any original pieces/parts to make yours nice again.
Rich

Personally...I wouldn't pay a lot for a really trashed one...and you're right, I would be better off(and happier)with a MINT Repro EMCE Figure...than a trashed original one.

[rche]

There are a few examples of this in the Teen Titans that have been floating around lately.

Personally, I would restore them and make a hybrid. For something as difficult to find as a Romulan or Andorian, or the aforementioned Titans, the cosmetic restore plus whatever nicely done reproduction accessories would make for a nice display piece. You may even get lucky and find some parts here and there in the veeerrry long run. I am pretty sure I recall seeing a Romulan bodysuit up for grabs a little bit ago. It would definitely take a long time to piece together a figure that way, but it might get done. If there is any problem with the hybrid approach, it would be with someone trying to sell the item as all original at a later date.

Thinking of all the super played with Batman and Robin sets I have ever come across; I would love to see a full collection of the 'World's Greatest Trashed Heroes' someday. That would make for a great collected shot. One armed, pantless, and scuffed up. A tribute to their purpose as toys.

rche

[jasonmego1277]

I Don't have anything against restoring as long as the figure really needs to fixed , and or completed then go right ahead. I have no problems with restoring or using repro parts as long as it's noted if you decide to sell them. Have Fun !

[spotter]

make him a long term project - restore him like restoring a vintage car 1 piece at a time.

if you want displayable buy an emce and dress him up untill you can get the original parts

I have a Titan speedy who still needs some vintage parts ( 1 glove, hat and a bow) but is wearing doc repros till I can afford them

[jasonmego1277]

Thinking of all the super played with Batman and Robin sets I have ever come across; I would love to see a full collection of the 'World's Greatest Trashed Heroes' someday. That would make for a great collected shot. One armed, pantless, and scuffed up. A tribute to their purpose as toys.

rche

I would Love to see that ! LOL.

[Brue]

RESTORE! i try to bring back to life the least desired (I brought a Jon back from the dead last year) to the more highly desired. I love getting Lots and piecing figures back together. It takes some patience to assemble pieces parts required, some choice tools for reassembly of bodies, a steady sewing needle for outfits, lots of oxy clean, some dish detergent and if emblems hot off the printer. - I will use repro parts sparingly to assist.

[The Bat]

I have no problems with restoring or using repro parts as long as it's noted if you decide to sell them.

I have no interest in resale...I don't collect Megos to sell them. I guess My main question was...would you repaint the Hair, as that is a permanent Part of the Figure. The Bodysuit & Boots, etc.. are accessories and can be changed at anytime.

I can see the point of not restoring a "rare" Figure(such as the Romulan)...one might as well just buy a Repro Head.

[jasonmego1277]

I have no interest in resale...I don't collect Megos to sell them. I guess My main question was...would you repaint the Hair, as that is a permanent Part of the Figure. The Bodysuit & Boots, etc.. are accessories and can be changed at anytime.

I can see the point of not restoring a "rare" Figure(such as the Romulan)...one might as well just buy a Repro Head.

As far as selling I totally understand that . I sold my collection years ago, and well it's been a nightmare to get back. I normally say If its a Rare figure and you already have a good one , Customize, restore , do whatever. So have some fun and make him more asethically pleasing to look at.

If It is not then Its value will Probably not be affected either way , except to maybe yourself. If your picky about condition ( like me ) You may want to customize it. I say this if you dont already have a good one though.