Do Your Action Figures Need Cleaning?
Is your Luke Skywalker figure looking a little brown around the edges, your Stormtroopers gray, rather than white?
Does your G.I. Joe have dirty, greasy, matted hair?
Would you like to have them looking pristine again?
But how do you clean them without the risk of damaging them?
Follow the instructions below and you should end up with figures looking like new and a fraction of the cost to have it done professionally.
Getting Rid of Surface Dust
If your figure only has a thin layer of regular household dust the easiest way to clean it is to use the canned air that you can purchase for cleaning computers.
Removing Stubborn Stains
For your more stubborn stains, dirt or grease marks soaking in warm water is the best solution. But DON'T use hot or boiling water, this will damage your figure and any sticker or decals on it will come off.
WARNING:
If your action figure has any stickers or decals on it you will have to take great care in cleaning it or they may come off.
NEVER soak a figure that has electric wiring or uses batteries in it but surface clean only.
Cleaning
Dry clean of your action figures is ideal if they have stickers, decals, electric wiring or batteries. Although some water is used it is minimal.
LIGHTLY, soak your sponge in the warm water, then carefully wipe ( NOT scrub) your action figure with the sponge.
For the smaller or more difficult to reach areas use the cotton buds, pipe cleaners are ideal for getting the inside of a gun barrel or tubes, the toothbrush is good for general cleaning purposes and getting rid of the more stubborn stains.
If your action figure has ink stains these can be removed by using isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) carefully applied to the area BUT always make sure you rinse off the alcohol afterwards.
Using Chemicals
Be very careful when using any form of chemicals on your figures as certain plastics will melt, bubble, or blister with the use of some chemicals.
If it doubt, seek advice or just use warm soapy water.
Doing The Laundry
Is Your Action Figure Well Dressed?
When was the last time you wash your action figures clothes?
Would you wear dirty, greasy old clothes?
No, I guessed not.
So why do you leave your action figures dressed in the same old clothes for months or years on end without even as much as a dusting?
Generally if you follow the same rules as washing "real" clothes you should be alright but the easiest and safest way is to soak them in cold water, to prevent shrinkage and running colors, with a mild detergent such as baby shampoo or even dish soap.
How to Wash Hair
I hope you haven't forgotten their hair, have you?
(Of course you haven't ;-)
If your action figure has flocked or rooted hair, instead of molded hair, then it should be washed as regularly as their clothes. Again this will keep the hair clean, grease free and shining at all times, it will also prevent the hair from matting, knotting and rotting.
If your action figures hair has become greasy and matted use warm water and a fabric softener, this will help to get out any tangles or matting.
Written by Colin Dorman
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