De-gray your Vintage Mego heads - Restoring the Moonraker Bond and Jaws figures

[@Smoogster]

What insane genius came up with the idea of using tyre spray and plasti-dip to restore mego toy heads?!

[@VintageToyRush]

Ha!! Probably came from someone on the Mego forums - I have no idea!!!

[@GenXToysGeek]

what a difference it makes!

[@VintageToyRush]

Indeed!!! Very satisfying 👍

[@PaulsCollectibles]

Can you imagine how nervous the first collector who tried this was? You have to be very brave to dip your vintage collectible into that rubber material.. However, this was an awesome and fun video to watch! I'm glad that it worked out so well and they look so much better. Thanks for sharing this method with us, Dave!

[@VintageToyRush]

Hopefully the first attempts were on beater figures 🤣 I don't mind trying these techniques and this one is quite addictive. I'm dipping everything in it now 😀 Thanks for watching Paul 🙏 glad you enjoyed it and yeah very pleased with the end result 👍

[@TeZXSpectrum]

I expect you to dye Mr Bond. One of the best transformations I have ever watched Dave. The plastic dip works wonders a real miracle solution. I don't fully understand the chemical magic but it makes both figures looks factory fresh. Amazing. I love your videos Mr Vintage 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[@VintageToyRush]

Ha ha!! Gold medal pun there!! 🤣 Who knows how it really works but it seems to have worked well, and they're both looking good on the shelf!! 👍 Thanks Tez!! 🤘

[@aDudesNerdery]

Very few things in life bring me as much joy as 007 in Moonraker! Would love a proper 6" Bond line! Loved watching this while banging out spreadsheets for work!

[@VintageToyRush]

Hey Dude!!! Yeah Moonraker is definitely one of those 'goto' films for some joy!! 👍 A 6" line would be awesome, but I'd also love to a 3.75 line with all the classic vehicles 😎 Glad to keep you entertained while working 🤘

[@Chasing80sToys]

Great job mate👍. Cool to see these figures who are exactly the same age as me😅😉👏

[@VintageToyRush]

Ha!! Well, if you start turning grey, you know how to fix it 🤣

[@Chasing80sToys]

@@VintageToyRush 😂👍

[@ZeroHunterToys]

You're very brave doing that Dave. Wow what a difference to those figures .

[@VintageToyRush]

Ha Matt!! Yeah, I tend not to worry too much about breaking things - just dive in and learn on the job 👍 In this case it tuned out really well 🤘

[@TheToyBoy1978]

They really do look great Dave! Thanks for the mention! glad to have helped in pointing you in the direction of Ians channels. ;-)

[@VintageToyRush]

No problem, thanks for pointing me in the right direction!! 👍 It worked out well 🤘

[@BossksBounty]

Oh my! that was incredible! Amazing how that works, and also who thought of it in the first place!

[@VintageToyRush]

Dunno where the fix originally came from but it is indeed incredible!! 👍

[@SHABBYGEEK22]

Wow! That's incredible! A really simple and easy fix too. Great to see these awesome figures looking brand new. Great video Dave

[@VintageToyRush]

Thanks Shabby!!! 🙏 I'm sure there will be purists out there who would prefer to leave them as they are but I think they look much better restored 👍

[@SHABBYGEEK22]

@@VintageToyRush They look much better my friend.

[@SalaciousRum]

wow… incredible transformation!

[@VintageToyRush]

It did the job much better than expected 👍

[@FraDonaghyMusic]

Better than Just For Men

[@VintageToyRush]

Ha!!! 🤣

[@ReynoldsReviews]

Wow!!!!!! That's absolutely unbelievable!!!! What a fantastic restoration, I've never ever heard of this process and had no idea how grey face could be solved, what an unbelievable transformation Dave! 👌👌👌👌👌👌👌

[@VintageToyRush]

Thanks Luke!!! 🙏 I had never heard of this technique until recently - wasn't sure if it would work but had to give it a go 🤣 Glad I did 👍

[@ReynoldsReviews]

@@VintageToyRush definitely, exceptional results 👍

[@patsparks8731]

@@VintageToyRush This is one of those Restos that seem like magic (but of course it’s science/chemistry at work...I assume it’s leaching)...anyway...it Reminds me of a solution I learned many years ago regarding removing old price stickers and even strapping tape residue from carded figures or while restoring figure boxes with similar gunk on them. The lighter fluid technique is scary at first, but it works very very well and I’ve even purchased 50 year old GI Joe boxes with decades old strapping tape residue and got them display worthy. I’m very intrigued by this and applaud those that shared the technique and to you for making such a fine video. I’ve wanted this Bond figure but the zombie head problem always turned me off a bit. So here’s a great way to fix it! Thanks again!!👍👍

[@VintageToyRush]

Thanks! Yeah, the lighter fluid method works well for those stubborn residue marks. Hope you find a Bond figure 👍

[@mrgoboto4309]

That is an incredibly effective restoration technique (makes me wonder how much experimentation goes into finding these fixes)! Though I do have a soft spot for the zombie headed Mego figures.

[@VintageToyRush]

Yeah, dunno who came up with this fix in the first place!! There are plenty of zombie Bonds still around, so we're not gonna miss them 👍

[@anthonywhitehead5576]

Awesomeness!!! I have my Mego Buck Rogers that has a gray face.. this will be a great fix...how cool is that...👍👍👍

[@VintageToyRush]

Good luck!! 👍 Love those Buck Rogers figures, although none here in my collection 🤘

[@mrfreeze]

That's amazing! I didn't think there was a cure for Mego Molt. I thought the only alternative was to paint them. Thank you for this! 😀

[@VintageToyRush]

I thought the same, then came across another video. So had to try it!! Not sure how long it lasts, but so far so good 👍

[@LogicBlaster]

Great video! Really excellent tutorial on how to restore the color to these grey heads! Nicely done!👍

[@VintageToyRush]

Thanks!! 🙏

[@AllThings80s]

That was incredible!!!

[@VintageToyRush]

🤯 :)

[@jasonotoole1822]

What a great video Dave! I had never heard of this technique and it would have scared the proverbial out of me to give this a go with such a valuable figure. But what a great result! That was a really awesome video to watch.

[@VintageToyRush]

Thanks!!! 🙏 I think with Ian Marchants video I was fairly confident it wouldn't ruin the figures, but still I know what you mean!! Very pleased with the result 👍

[@jonnycrookvideo]

Amazing transformation.

[@VintageToyRush]

Indeed, very pleased with the result 👍

[@readfivedesigns6442]

Wow, what a result. Looks great!

[@VintageToyRush]

Thanks!!! 🙏 They're looking good on display 👍

[@BlackArroToons]

007 James Bond took the Bond-ing material well, and turned him from a zombie back into a living human again! ;) Great video, cool to see this worked well to restore the color matching his hands to his face again.

[@VintageToyRush]

Thanks!! 🙏 Bond-ing material 🤣 Good one!! I'm very happy with the result and yeah the face does match the rest of the body now 👍

[@BlackArroToons]

@@VintageToyRush That James Bond Intro you created as 007 was very cool too! Looking forward to Moore videos!

[@VintageToyRush]

@@BlackArroToons thanks!!! Appreciate that!! It's re-used from one of an earlier video on my Sean Connery collection 👍

[@SmugglersCanyon]

Amazing Dave, I can't believe the results! I really worried that this was going to go horribly wrong as you plunged Roger Moore's head into the gloop... but wow!!! 👌🙌

[@VintageToyRush]

Ha!! Maybe it'll be a scene in No Time To Die - Daniel Craig is lowered head first into a vat of red gloop, but manages to escape with a new topped-up tan🤣 Anyway, very pleased with the result 👍 Thanks for watching Christian!! 🙏

[@SmugglersCanyon]

@@VintageToyRush Now you're setting expectations for what's in store for 007 🤣🤣🤣

[@petebutler5139]

Bravo my good man Bravo 👏 I’m surprised this video doesn’t have several thousand views. I have a couple of junk MEGO heads I want to restore using this technique. I’ll report the findings later!!!

[@VintageToyRush]

Thanks!! 🙏 Good luck with your restorations, I'd be interested in your results! As for views, I wish I knew the secret of KZbin, it's all magic 🤣

[@BrynSmith76]

What a transformation. I had a Ponch from Chips Mego with a grey head years ago that I repainted, wish I knew about this then.

[@VintageToyRush]

Yeah Ponch is known for greying as well - might be worth finding a beater figure just for the head, have a go and swap it!! 👍

[@DTMCOLLECTIBLES]

Great video Dave , that was a cool restoration that stuff is amazing the figures looked brand new after , what a cracking job , now I’m off to to dip my entire head in plastic dip to try stop my own ageing process, keep the vids coming 👍🏻

[@VintageToyRush]

Thanks Dave!! 🙏 Ha ha ha!!! Not only does it stop the ageing process but you'll be able to top up your tan too 🤣

[@jameswhitney8497]

What a wonderfull look ....i will try it on one of my own doll--Thanks. i have some Black hole figures with grey heads

[@VintageToyRush]

Good luck with your Black Hole figures! 👍

[@LH74]

Great technique! 👏

[@VintageToyRush]

It's lasting well too!! 👍 Thanks!

[@martingainsford3225]

I did a few Roger Moore figures and some STAR TREK THE MOTION PICTURE figures maybe 15 years back when the renewal process was first being mentioned on Mego forums. It was a real game changer but slowly they go grey again. I redid them about ten years back but not bothering again. Great tutorial though mate. Really well presented.

[@VintageToyRush]

Do you remember where it originated from? A few of us have been wondering who was crazy enough to try this in the first place 😎 Anyway, thanks for your kind words! 🙏

[@jongrey8774]

Just found this. Great video. Thank you for your advice.

[@VintageToyRush]

Thanks! 👍

[@jonboldrey5339]

Dave! 🤯🤯🤯🤯

[@VintageToyRush]

🤯 indeed!!

[@TimHayes]

Excellent work Dave! :)

[@VintageToyRush]

Thanks Tim!! 🙏

[@Arbiter2201]

This restoration is incredible and amazing great job!! I need to buy another Bond to have loose with the Jaws I bought from the UK! Hoping to find a Holly and Drax one day!!

[@VintageToyRush]

Thanks!! This was a fun restoration 👍 Good luck in your search for Holly and Drax. I was lucky enough to find Drax recently but he needs attention - so another restoration video may be on its way at some point 🤘

[@Arbiter2201]

@@VintageToyRush it indeed was from what I can see! I did the same to jaws from the inspiration and confidence you showed so I did the same and was very happy with the results!! Thank you I hope to find them someday!! I’m sure they will pop up! Wow that’s amazing how did you find him!? Perfect please do with Drax I wanna see how he turns out!!

[@Arbiter2201]

Now an update! I have just received a loose Bond in the mail did the dip now waiting till this evening to peel and put back together very clean figure all around and I found a open box Drax which I now have on the way cannot wait to do the same repair to him!

[@VintageToyRush]

@@Arbiter2201 Nice! Looking forward to hearing about the results

[@Arbiter2201]

Well! Bond came out amazing minus sadly some paint pull on the back of the head nothing a little touch up couldn’t fix and Drax all I can say is wow! It looks like it’s fresh out of the box!! Super happy with the results!!

[@sembianteful]

How the H did these guys think to try this combination of techniques !!!! So clever 👏

[@VintageToyRush]

I have no idea 😎 I suspect it's a technique that comes from another field, but even so there must have been lots of experimenting and failures 🤣 I'm happy to try them out and see how well they work - I'm interested to see how long they'll remain that colour. Thanks for watching! 🙏

[@johnblack9885]

You let the tire wet dry completely before applying the plastidip? I was always told to spray it on super dripping wet and dip it immediately. I did try this on my Moonraker Bond and the plastidip pulled off the paint on his hair.

[@VintageToyRush]

I didn't let it completely dry, just enough so it wasn't dripping anymore. I found that dipping while it was still dripping did not give an even cover. So I let it dry a little, but not completely, then used a brush to apply the plastidip. This way, the plastidip can be pushed into all the crevices. I'm surprised the paint was pulled off - in my several attempts I found the plastidip came off easily. Each application I left on for about 5 hours - so it wouldn't cure too much and perhaps stick too much, and also allowed for better control of the colour.

[@johnblack9885]

@@VintageToyRush yeah I let it set for 24 hours per instructions found on Megomuseum and it lifted the paint. Also the restored flesh color reverted back to an ashen gray face after a year or two. I wonder if sealing it afterward with a clearcoat would prevent it from losing the restored color?

[@VintageToyRush]

I am wondering how long it will last! It's all part of the experiment. My guess is that a clear coat won't make any difference. It could also possibly make it harder to re-colour in the future if you decide.

[@huskydad72]

Doing this today to my vintage Black Hole Capt. Dan Holland figure! Really hope it works this well. Thanks for this video!

[@VintageToyRush]

Good luck! You'll have to let us know how it goes! 👍

[@bartley3742]

That is really amazing! I am needing to do this to an Invisible Girl figure. Of course I'm not inclined to dip her rooted hair in the plastic. Has anyone had success with the brush technique on the rooted hair women?

[@VintageToyRush]

Thanks! 👍 I've never tried on a figure with rooted hair, but that question comes up often! One day I may experiment. Not sure if the plastidip will easily remove from the hair. You can brush on the plastidip, I do that now anyway, it's just easier to make sure everywhere is covered.

[@BlytheWorld1972]

I can wait to do this .

[@VintageToyRush]

Good luck! 🤘

[@BlytheWorld1972]

so happy this worked.

[@VintageToyRush]

looks pretty good!! and hopefully it'll last for a while 👍

[@GreyHulk2156]

Great results. But it honestly looks like you're trying to make bizarre toffee apples for most of this process. ;P

[@VintageToyRush]

Ha! Strange process, but I can tell you that peeling off the red plastic was very satisfying 👍

[@cheddarcheese7928]

I’ve done this to a a few megos a year or so ago.It works great!.But now they’re half way zombied again.So I guess u gotta keep up with it is all

[@VintageToyRush]

Yeah, it'll be interesting to see how long it lasts. That's all part of this experiment 👍 So far I haven't noticed any changes, but we'll see. Thanks for watching! 🤘

[@walterheinen5298]

Fantastic

[@VintageToyRush]

Thanks! 👍

[@adambaker8349]

Where could i find the tyre dressing because i can not find it on Amazon and i dont want to just get anything i want to make sure i do it correctly?

[@VintageToyRush]

I'm based in the UK and just searched for 'Turtle Wax Wet n Black Tyre Dressing' on Amazon with good results. Otherwise, you can get it from any car suppliers shop. I don't think it has to be from Turtle Wax, any manufacturer should do 👍

[@johngeraci3887]

That was amazing

[@VintageToyRush]

Thanks 👍

[@martingainsford3225]

Excellently done tutorial. However I've done many of these figures in the past and it isn't a permanent 'fix' . After a few years they revert to the 'Zombie' look. Enjoy the figures for the time being but be prepared to do this all over again in the coming years. Certainly worth doing though as the immediate improvement is staggering.

[@VintageToyRush]

Thanks!!! 🙏 Yeah, I'm interested to see how long this lasts! 👍

[@dacam63]

How long will this last?

[@VintageToyRush]

This video was recorded 2 years ago and they're both still going strong. I don't know how long they'll last but I'm expecting several more years yet 👍

[@scubapete9500]

You scared the Living Daylights out of me dipping Bond the first time! 😉 What a great documentation of technique. Thanks Dave!!!

[@VintageToyRush]

Ha ha Scuba!! 🤣 Hopefully you've recovered now!! If not, watch Moonraker, that'll calm you down 🤘 Thanks!! 🙏

[@TimeTunnelToysUK]

I'm thinking of doing this to a lego Jaws figure. Does it still look good a few months later?

[@VintageToyRush]

Yeah, I haven't noticed any fading at all yet. I do imagine that at some point it may need a redo. But for me it was definitely worth it, looks great on display! 👍

[@guitarman9182]

Does it matter what color plasti dip you use?

[@VintageToyRush]

I haven't tried other colours, but I think it would definitely make a difference. My understanding is that the plastidip essentially dyes the plastic, so using another colour would result in a differently coloured face 👍

[@loganjorgensen]

Actually saw Ian's video first since I got curious about Plastidip heh. I was thinking if there was some way to coat the inside of the head it could continually add red for years to come. Plastic, so many chemistry issues.

[@VintageToyRush]

I'm interested to see how long this lasts. It's all part of the experiment. So far I haven't noticed any fading or greying. To be honest, I was amazed at how well it worked in the first place 👍

[@martingainsford3225]

It first was mooted on an old Mego message board called The Three Amegos as I recall. Close to twenty years back now I’d reckon.

[@VintageToyRush]

Oh thanks - good to know! Never heard of that message board.

[@scottstalcup6980]

Cotton swab soaked in alcohol and saturated with a red marker also works.

[@VintageToyRush]

Not seen that technique before - sounds a little harsher but if it works, it works 👍

[@scottstalcup6980]

@@VintageToyRush It's an ongoing debate on the Custom Mego pages. I rehabbed my 007 that way and some allege the Plasti-Dip formula changed. One poster thought mine looked sunburned, but it's an improvement over what it was and he's still holding the color almost two years later.

[@VintageToyRush]

I'm intrigued to see how long the plast-dip method lasts for. Still going strong at the moment 👍

[@lunarmodule6419]

I have a grey head Jor-El !!!!

[@VintageToyRush]

Those grey heads are everywhere!

[@Ken-vk8pb]

Why doesn't this grey head and face problem seem to happen to the Mego Super Hero's figures or the Mego Farrah Fawcett dolls or their Cher doll. I know that the Mego Farrah dolls have their own problems with Mego melting on the dolls shoulder and hip joints and the green marks on the arms and ankles sometimes but the Farrah dolls heads and faces stay their original flesh color with no greying even almost 50 years later. Maybe Mego used better quality vinyl for Farrah's doll head but not for her body's vinyl.

[@VintageToyRush]

I suspect that different factories used different plastic formulas and that's why see variations today. The melting issue can arise when two different kinds of plastic have been touching each other for years - they start to react. You also see this sometimes when packaging has reacted with the plastic contents. None of this stuff really lasts forever in its original state - o rings give up, elastic gives up etc So it's a game of trying to keep them from degrading in any way possible 👍

[@Ken-vk8pb]

@@VintageToyRush Yes, true and these dolls and figures were never originally intended to stay in their boxes and packaging for nearly 50 years they were meant to be taken out and played with or at least removed and displayed loose from box. They can still get damaged mint sealed with original factory seal since the boxes usually wore out from age alone. Also if they were stored in hot and humid or damp attics or basements or garages then those elements can damage and destroy them even new in box. There are some mint in box on Ebay thought that look still perfectly new but they command higher prices. That's why some new figures I buy and collect I just open some of them that way I can enjoy displaying them loose from box otherwise they may get damaged in box then I never get to enjoy them. At that point then collecting them sealed in boxes is not getting any use out of them if they are left inside. It's nice to see them still mint sealed in their box just as they came off the store shelf but if we are not going to take them out then it seems like just a waste of money sometimes keeping them that way. Sorry for the long comment. I subbed to your cbannel.

[@VintageToyRush]

@@Ken-vk8pb no problem with the long comment 🤣we all collect in our own ways and it's not always black and white as some would like to preach. Thanks for the sub, appreciate it 👍

[@brunobillion3435]

Only downside is that you may have to do it again after a while

[@VintageToyRush]

That's part of the reason for doing this - to see how long it lasts! Good so far 👍

[@robertonline6543]

BRAINNNNNNNNNNNNNNSSSSS

[@VintageToyRush]

🤘

[@MichaelJShaffer]

Classified: TOP SECRET VTR Dave M.D. The patient presented with jaundice. After multiple treatments with Plasti Dip, all color has returned.

[@VintageToyRush]

Ha ha!!! 🤣 Patient is recovering well and will resume service soon!! 👍

[@frodofraggins]

Jaws is so gray he looks like Solomon Grundy

[@VintageToyRush]

🤣🤣🤣 That made me laugh 👍

[@frodofraggins]

@@VintageToyRush Glad to hear it! :)

[@Smoogster]

You could have left Roger Moore as a zombie Bond!

[@VintageToyRush]

I could have done, but there's enough of them already out there 😎