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I just picked up a nice viintage six million dollar man figure. Everything is in good shape on him except the rubber covering his bionic arm is petrified. Anyone know how to get this off? I don't want to damage anything...
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That's a tough one. Maybe you can use an X-acto to delicately create a seam in the hardened rubber, and then try and gradually work it off the arm?
The rubber on my SMDM's arm is in sad shape too. Except it's just all dry and fraying. It's about 80% intact, but I'm thinking removing it alltogether. It doesn't serve its original purpose anymore.
I had a well-loved SMDM as a kid, but the funny thing is I have no memory at all of the skin, just the arm implants. I probably tore the skin right off..
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the right arm pops off so you can just roll the brittle skin off the arm.Comment
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Been wanting to do that project for a long time. I was a 6MDM junkie in the mid-70s, and I vividly remember every detail of those dolls, including the roll-down skin. I'd love to find a way to reproduce it an offer them to collectors. I do a good bit of molding and casting, and I have some resources that may be able to make this possible. I just need to find the free time!
MarkComment
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Your post made me go dig out my Steve Austin, and fortunately for me, his arm covering is still in good shape. I didn't roll it all the way back, why tempt fate, but it is still 'rollable'. The figure's been inside the (boxed) Bionic Transport/Repair Station for a long time. Maybe that helped protect it somehow? Of course, as soon as I touched it, decals on the transport started protesting. Oh well, I would never have enjoyed it as much as a kid if I hadn't stuck the decals. I loved those toys, still even have one or two carded extra outfits I never tried out.
Damn, this site is really making me want to put out shelves of figures...
For the petrified covering, can it just be picked off in pieces? I can see an exacto knife working, but it may also wreck the arm underneath.Comment
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I was able to get the petrified skin off w the edge of a medium guitar pick and a little patience.Comment
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Maybe you could try very carefully picking it off with a tool?
I have had a couple of acquisitions in recent months for the SMDM figure but the rubber is either missing or still in flexible condition although has been half removed in most cases.
How about hot water and try soaking it off? If it softens enough to pick of bit by bit this may do the trick.
Cheers
Joffa
Gentleman! I can rebuild them!!!!
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Does someone ever tried silicone oil? That should soften the skin and then allow to roll and remove it.
It's possible to make a new one by using "dip" liquid latex, just dip the arm (the figure one not your
) directly in the latex. Many coats are necessary. It can be colored by adding colored ink (red, yellow), but more tests will be necessary because the latex's color change once dried.
In case you don't know what is liquid latex, here's a link:
http://www.geant-beaux-arts.fr/Patel...elage.htm?af=2
It's just for the photo, as I haven't found a link in english, sorry...
... well, in fact I found some but they focused on a different use of latex... you see what I mean
Custom models :
www.baronsat.netComment
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