 |
| Rewired and Repainted MMM Figure |
Pros:
- Most re-paints/re-wires (shortened to rp/rw for convenience) are done
from shot figures, most are not posable and have little of their original
paint. The value of these shot figures is negligible (they can usually be
bought for less than $15). If not rp/rw they usually collect dust in a bag
with pals in similar condition. Rp/rw figures offer an option for those that are
kept hidden and not enjoyed.
- Rp/rws figures can be painted with custom colors, introducing a rainbow of
astronaut suit options. The heads can be painted with beards. Blondes,
black hair or titian coloring can be incorporated for an unlimited number
of design variations. Here are a few exceptional ones from Pat's site:
http://www.phd.msu.edu/storto/mmcustom.htm (sorry the link appears to be defunct)
You could populate a whole otherworldly landscape with re-painted figures while your original, valuable ones enjoy a rest, safely tucked away in safety. Or an option is to repaint your figures using the prototype paint schemes from earlier Mattel dealer catalogs:
Original Mattel Catalog repaint (Matt as Doug) - Rp/rw figures offer a new display option. Because they don't have original
paint, many collectors don't mind posing them in more difficult displays.
Who would sacrifice a nice original paint Jeff, for instance, in the talking
backpack knowing that the paint will come off from rubbing against the strap?
- Many of the rp/rws have a heavier gauge wire, often of stainless or better material, which resists breakage (at least they're stronger than the 30 year old wire presently in original figures) and is easier to pose. Because the paint is fresher, the figures hold up to wear and handling better (exceptions below).
Cons:
- Depending on the rw/rp technique used, there could be detectable joint
seams (the following example has not been re-painted so the "v" shaped cut
is more noticeable):
Back "V" Cut Rewire - Some paints "aromatize" (a term for the "gassing out" of plasticizers
changing the composition of the paint) and become duller or have "blooms"
or other defects. Some paints take months to harden and are as delicate as the
original paint. The original paint is paint developed for covering
latex..others are merely substitutes.
- The new paint may be "too shiny" and cause the figure to be extremely
glossy, not approximating the original paint (which had some gloss but not
as much as a gloss paint. Somewhere between semi-gloss and gloss).
- Some re-paint artists have little skill and can really butcher the job
(especially the details of the flag).
- Some use stainless steel wire which is actually more brittle than
regular steel wire (of course, fresh, heavier gauge stainless wire would
still be stronger than the original, 30 year old played-with wire!).
With this in mind we come to the real worth of the figures. Are they worth more or less than original painted figures? Considering a nice minty Matt is worth $75-125 on today's market (look at what he's fetching on eBay if you don't believe me!), I think a nice re-paint is worth at least $50-75. Most who are willing to rw/rp figures charge around $40-50 to do the job right.
Add in $10-15 for a beat-up figure and you've got $65. Add in shipping charges both ways and the trouble to re-sell the figure and $75 seems reasonable indeed. If nothing else, the figure is worth far more than the original beat-up figure. The value is really relative to the purpose of having the figure re-done. If the figure is enjoyed as a poser that otherwise would have been locked away on a dark shelf, its value is priceless.
Steve DeLong, a collector in Atlanta painted a Matt with a green Polycarbonate paint. He added a little automotive de-glossier and an automotive drying agent to approximate the original paint. Although a nice figure when I received it, over time the paint has become tacky and has stuck to the stand I placed it in. Steve did a beautiful job painting an ecology flag on his chest, though...
 |
| Steve DeLong Repaint |
Patrick Storto has experimented with re-painting his own figures. Pics are
here:
http://www.phd.msu.edu/st
(link now appears to be defunct)
Services:
There are four who have previously offered their services as rw/rp specialist (at different times, they have withdrawn their services due to overwhelming orders or work/home responsibilities so an answer to an e-mail may be ignored):
Tom Wentland (retro50@mac.com)
(No longer has time to rw/rp but still
has copies of the video) Produced a video tape for the DIY enthusiast (you can order one directly
from him). One of the first to offer his services and has done a lot of
research. Uses a heavier gauge wire.
Tom Wentland adds:
Copper wire, 14 gauge, should not be used in white Matt figures. This will
cause the same problem as the Barbies with brass earrings. That is, the
Chloride in the PVC figure will react with the copper to form cupric
chloride and discolor the figure. (over 20 years or so, but I want the
figures to last for someone else when I'm gone).
I previously used polycarb paint in my video, in light coats with a long dry
time, however recently I attempted a repaint for a client and it turned into
a mess. The paint would not cure; I thought it was a bad mix, so I bought
another can, and had the same problem. I suspect that Pactra may have
changed it's paint mixture slightly- I have no other explanation and don't
know why it happened. I have updated the addendum in my Matt repair guide
to reflect this.
The paint to use for Matts is called Perma-Matt, from Monster Makers. 7305
Cleveland Ave, Cleveland, OH 44102. 216 631-4329. This stuff is PERFECT
and is the exact paint Mattel Used, as far as I can tell. It is also
water-soluble. It comes in amounts from $20 and up. The base is white;
then you buy color to add to the base. For those who don't have an
airbrush, Home Depot sells disposable air brushes for under $10 that accept
any type of paint.
Tom Langland
Dennis Widner (The Toy Surgeon)
obiwan@wctel.netUses paint that is the closest approximate to the original Mattel paint. Go to his Web site:
I actually did testing on wire and found that stainless is more durable. I have also used heavier gauge copper which works well also. (but see Tom Wentland's warning above about White Rubber Matts).
As for the seams, You can ask my customers about them. I actually cut on the original seams. In some cases the seam must be filled and I can do that. I try not to disturb the original surface as much as possible. I used to cut down the zipper but I have quit doing that in liu of making more cuts. The zipper area is very noticeable and any disruption here is a disaster. I have successfully opened at the zipper area and the sharkman and others have a couple. I now make more cuts, but very unnoticeable.
I have my own questions on durability and longevity. I ask my customers to report in from time to time to see how my work is standing up.
I tell everyone that I know the value is less but at least its more appealing to see a rp/rw, than a half stripped Matt with broken appendages.
I have also customized, they have been very successful. I am actually working on a line that will be out for review soon. Not just different paint jobs !
I think the stand idea is really functional. It allows you to stand him up with gear without anything touching the paint. I will be expanding on them also.
I also "brand" my work under the left foot for those people out there who will try to pawn them off as mint. There are a few out there without a brand.
In closing, I would like to say that I do this only as a hobby and to honor Major Matt Mason. Everyone knows why we are into them. As kids they brought us joy and amazement and these are things we remember for a lifetime. I am just glad I was born to be able to enjoy them. I hate to see bruised MMMs anywhere and I try to bring them back to their glory days.
Jim Hampton
Created the John Glenn custom...pics here:
http://www.geocities.com/~megocentral/johnglenn.jpg (link is now defunct)
Jim also suggests the use of Future Glue:
"I use a product called "future glue" It works tremendously!! I can't advise on the "v" cut as I do not use that method. I found it to be hard (for me) to work with. I cut down both sides on the seams and use hand wood clamps to hold together as the glue cures. Future glue sets up in a few minutes. If you have attempted a seam mend with glue and it dries then you must completely clean the dried glue off before applying more. That's why it's very important in all steps of MMM restoration to take your time. Hope this helps!!"
-- Jim
Jim published a free video explaining his process of rewiring a figure.
George Ruboyianes
(g.ruboyianes@worldnet.att.net) added these helpful suggestions:
- Tom Wentland's V cut or any cutting method should be made on a 45 degree angle. This gives the glue more surface area to grab onto. It also makes a flap that lays over the cut, instead of trying to mate up two hard 90 degree edges. It's also vital that the cut be made in one smooth pass, not several short wavy cuts. You need a clean straight line. Be sure to go deep enough to feel the armature inside as you cut. Try to avoid having to go back over the cut a second time for any reason.
- Definitely remove all traces of silicone or any lubricant that was used during the rewiring process. Isopropyl ( rubbing ) alcohol is cheap, easily available and works well to prep the surfaces before gluing.
- If possible use a clamp to hold the incision closed while the glue dries. As Tom states in his video and manual, glue and clamp one side of the cut at a time. When completely dry, do the other side. You may also be having trouble closing the cut because the rubber ribs inside are not fully seated down into the hard plastic chest block.
- There is a definite front and back to the hard plastic chest block.Be sure you are replacing it the same way it came out. When you put the chest block back in, the indented circle should be facing up at you ( visible through the open flap ). The side WITHOUT the circle is the front of the figure.
This should satisfy the " hard core - on topic" guys out there.
Cheers, George
As stated above, we make no guarantees of any of these cleaning and restoration techniques and provide a listing of what's been tried as a service only. Try these procedures at your own risk.
Finally, should anybody reading this have any similar information, additions or corrections, then we would very much appreciate hearing about them.
All Mattel images and captions are copyright Mattel and used without permission. All other content, including images and editorial, is Copyright © 1997-2023 John Eaton and/or contributors unless otherwise stated. If there are any comments or objections, please contact John Eaton.
No comments:
Post a Comment