Mattel Retro Action Body - Repair Tutorial

[Boywonder0]

AWESOME TUTORIAL,...specially for those who like displaying them (like me)!!!!!! Really liked the step by step tutorial Ariel!!! Only one thing worries me a bit,..wont the thin costume material snag at the parts where the vinyl sheet parts at the joints? Im afraid of doing this and getting runs on the outfits.....any advice???? Really wicked tutorial,..and yes,..prefer keeping the original Mattel body,....if only Mattel could see this so they correct the flaws.....
Ray

Hey Ray! Thanks for the kind words! Pretty much the same concern Rich had. As long as you trim neatly to contour you won't have any problems. Let me know if you decide to pursue the repair and I'll gladly pay you a visit and do it for you! Later bro!

[livnxxxl]

Another idea that comes to mind since the mention of plastidip is liquid electrical tape. That may serve the same purpose as plasti dip.

[Boywonder0]

Another idea that comes to mind since the mention of plastidip is liquid electrical tape. That may serve the same purpose as plasti dip.

Yup! May work! Same as for Fuzzysnail... Make sure your work is clean and does not turn out messy.

[actjac01]

BRAVO!!!

I really liked this tutorial, 'Boywonder0'.

You provided a real solution and addressed issues that's been bugging alot of folks, myself included.

I definately agree that Mattel missed the mark on their figure design and they, of ALL PEOPLE, should know better.
Shame on you, Mattel!

What I like especially is how you're emphazing the strengths of this design which, I also agree, there are a few.

So, as far as I'm concerned, you just made the proverbial 'lemonade' from those same proverbial 'lemons' and shared with us the 'recipe' for yet another decent customizable body.

Thank you.

Of course, I can still stuff cotton into the torsal..., but I digress.

Seriously, though..., on removing the head with the 'boiling water' method..., and if I remember correctly, you've talk about this in previous threads, so please forgive me....

Is it simply a matter of dunking the head and upper body in a pot of boiling water, wait a few minutes and then yank the head off?

Also, does this method also affect the adhesive attaching the post to the head?
Maybe softening it up a bit so that the 'yanking' will be alittle easier?

[actjac01]

Of course, I can still stuff cotton into the torsal..., but I digress.

Wait a minute..., 'torsal'?

What the heck's a 'torsal'?

I think what I meant was , "...I can still stuff cotton into the pelvis..."

TORSAL... I don't even know what that is!

[Boywonder0]

This is a wonderful tutorial--thank you for your efforts in posting it.

Question: will a vintage or Emce/CAW pelvis fit a Mattel torso? i.e., is it possible to replace & restring the entire lower body?

I had promised you this analysis and here it is:

Retro Action Torso with Cast-A-Way Toys Pelvis Analysis



As explained before, the Retro Action torso would not enter nor seat into the vintage, CAT or EMCE pelvis. These pelvis entrance are sized for their corresponding torso pivot ball, which is very small (see CAT torso - 2nd item Left to Right).

In order to accommodate a Retro Action torso you will have to increase the pelvis entrance using a Rotary Tool. Refer to original CAT pelvis (3rd item Left to Right) and modified CAT pelvis (4th item Left to Right). After you had modified as shown in picture, simply re-string as instructed in my tutorial. Below, the end results:

Retro Action Torso with CAT Pelvis & Legs







With EMCE, the same story:

Retro Action Torso with EMCE Pelvis Analysis



Items from Left to Right: Retro Action torso, EMCE torso, EMCE original pelvis and EMCE modified pelvis. Below, the end results:

Retro Action Torso With EMCE Pelvis & Legs









And to me, the greatest revelation of all: Retro Action torso & legs WITH EMCE pelvis:












Get on your marks, get set, go!


.

[livnxxxl]

Thanks for that.

I do not know why, but when I see the words EMCE Pelvis I cannot help but to think that someone will see that and make it their new rap group name.

[PNGwynne]

Marvelous, many thanks!

[actjac01]

With the modifications you made, 'Boywonder0', I like this Mattel torso/Emce pelvis combo.

Mmmm...combo...does it come with fries?

I haven't decided which legs I like better: the Mattel ones or the Emce.
The more I look at it though, the more I find myself leanin' toward the Emce legs.
They both look good. Each a little different.
Is it me, or are the wrists aligning a little higher on the thigh?

I do think both Castaway's and Emce's pelvis are definite improvements over the Mattel one.
The figure overall looks more solid to me.

Just curious: after you made these modifcations, did you notice anything different
about the figures articulation: better? Worse?

Also, thanks for the PM on the Mattel head removal tip.
You should make that one public!
I'll be using it this weekend and I'll let you know the results.

[Orion1]

Thanks for the tutorial and all the great pics. I am curious though, how is the leg poseability with the Retro Action torso & legs WITH EMCE pelvis? Are the legs still floppy or can they hold a kick pose like the classic Megos could?

[Boywonder0]

Thanks for the tutorial and all the great pics. I am curious though, how is the leg poseability with the Retro Action torso & legs WITH EMCE pelvis? Are the legs still floppy or can they hold a kick pose like the classic Megos could?

Will pose as good as a Mego and definitely much better than a non modified Retro Action body.

[sprytel]

I did this repair last night to my new Batman. It is an involved process, so you should be prepared to invest some time into the project. But it works like a champ. When you fix the flops, the figure looks a thousand times better.

Thanks again Boywonder for posting this!

[Jase25]

Amazing Fix...was going to post my own then found this! My fix is very similar except, I use masking tape and not sheet vinyl which also lets you skip the super glue step. I also don't dremel out the waist support...the masking tape has a rough texture anyway and between placing both parts add not only strength but holds the pose. I also restring with 1/4 inch elastic...here are some quick pictures. My process take about 10-15 a figure but if you set up an assembly line I was able to do all my series 1 and Series 2 figures plus Green Arrow in about an hour and half.

bodyfix1.jpgbodyfix2.jpgbodyfix3.jpgbodyfix4.jpgbodyfix5.jpg

[Jase25]

Here is the rest of the follow up pictures for my fix on Type 1 Retro Action Bodies.
bodyfix6.jpgbodyfix8.jpgbodyfix9.jpgbodyfix11.jpg

[Jase25]

My fix for the Type 2 Retro Body is very similar to my fix for the Type 1 Retro Action figures...minus the fact you don't have to remove a head...the waist is fine on these so I'm only putting masking tape on the hips and upper leg joint and then re-string with the 1/4 elastic. See photos...

bodyfix13.jpgbodyfix14.jpgbodyfix15.jpgbodyfix16.jpgbodyfix17.jpg