G.I.Joe / Action Force Zartan & Swamp Skier restoration - part 1 - Toy Polloi

Although most people know this as a G.I.Joe toy, here in the UK we know it as Action Force. And Zartan was one of the few figures I had from this line as a kid.
So this restoration will cover re-pairing a vintage Zartan, actually a couple of them with different issues, and a big box of parts that should form the Swamp Skier.
Part 2 will be along soon.
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[@BlackArroToons]

Nice work repairing Zartan, one of the coolest villains from the GI Joe line!

[@pit_viper327]

Sir, I love your method on repairing Zartan. It's sure genius and safer than using a blade to cut open the figure. Thank you so much for sharing this video.

[@toypolloi]

Many thanks

[@giannistoysdios7152]

I am amazed by the crotch fix with the milliput!!! And the idea with the elastic is much tidier than splitting the figure in half with an x-acto knife. I think that you just solved two very common problems that every gi joe collector faces. Thank you for sharing!

[@FCastle23]

It's easy of you use hot water and go slow.

[@giannistoysdios7152]

Yeah, I know that technique, but isn’t it preferable to go safe with a figure that costs so much money even with a broken o-ring?

[@JohnKelly-rz4qi]

I am not sure if Zartan is sonic welded or glued from the factory. However, with a small amount of pressure his body will pop apart. Zarana and Zandar are the same way. I usually use a pair of needle nose pliers through the o ring hole in the bottom. Open the pliers to apply a small amount of pressure. They pop apart very easily.

[@paulthegeek]

I remember the "swamp skier" being called Chameleon here in the States. I LOVED my Zartan. I thought being able to put the mask in the backpack was the COOLEST thing.

[@zachivan7557]

Thanks for the help on Zartan and a couple of other welded shut figures now i can repair them

[@glynnbrown6642]

Love your Little helper

[@palpatine1975]

Always love ur restorations especially for vintage gi joe and star wars toys.. I do hope u can do a restoration for either a gi joe conquest x-30 or a cobra wolf if ever possible ... Cheers!

[@Straight0uttaCrofton]

i guess i must have babied my toys because i'd be horrified having anything in this condition - you're doing the Lord's work

[@GhostWolf141]

Excellent. Would love to see more GI Joe/Action Force in the future!!

[@mickmerr]

Zartan o rings are a pain but I've seen people insert a screwdriver and pop the torso open.

[@oldtoysliveon8433]

True passion at work right here from Toy Polloi! What a relief no Lego got hurt during this, whew. Here's a channel that truly loves, cares and shares knowledge and experience with everyone! Thanks Toy Polloi!!!

[@erickavery1]

Absolutely loving this resto. As someone who didn't really grow up with most of the stuff you restore, seeing something I remember as a kid is fantastic. Hope you do more GI Joe and G1 Transformers in the future.

[@mechachrist]

Mannnnn there were so many small parts with Zartan. The pieces that snapped onto his thighs disappeared in the exact same place as Yoda's cane: the dirt, grass and ivy under the backyard faucet lol. A few seconds of water pouring and I had Dagobah, a swamp for Zartan, Mer-man's hangout, you name it. Unfortunately this area was like a black hole for toy accessories.

[@toypolloi]

Everything about this toy is designed to break or be lost. So flimsy.

[@camcordernonsense5264]

Had a few of those spots myself

[@nicholasdickens2801]

Toy Polloi But they still passed safety standards and were pretty robust apart from these small almost “designed to be lost” ™️ things.

[@williamthompson5504]

I did the same thing! My parents still live in my childhood home. So recently I went to the back of the house were the extra faucet is. After 3 big shovel loads and sifting through the dirt (using the same faucet), I started finding things. A little orange snake (yoda), a tiny cane (Yoda), Dreadnok weapons and my Zartan split in half. He still had on his chest piece and the legs had the pads. Sadly I broke Swamp skier pieces by using the shovel.

[@kaylemathewcomendador7614]

Great job as usual. Now I know what to do if I ever encounter a loose Zartan or any of his siblings. And you know how the PSA's usually end.

[@yavrielsechelle7431]

As I live and breathe. The Zartan brothers. A pair of figures I could never find at the stores.

[@aroexplorer]

Obrigado pela dica de substituição do o-ring por elástico. Funcionou muito bem!. Abraços do Rio de janeiro (Brasil).

[@alecmccommon6808]

Great video! Your creative problem solving skills are on point

[@TheToyBoy1978]

That O-ring fix is going to be so much help when my "GI Joe type" Mortal Kombat figures need their O-rings replacing as thay are all welded together.

[@daveyardbird7430]

I will definitely be trying this. I’ve already had success replicating your thumb repair technique. Keep up the great work!

[@TreadwellJay]

Rubbing alcohol is even more effective than water for smoothing out such materials. Thanks for the video!

[@drawingbyhand]

brilliant zartan restoration toy polloi.

[@BronyNumber4096]

0:10 Whatever Voodoo you're using to mangle us: WE'VE HAD ENOUGH!!! My hood wasn't made to come off!

[@novax-ig9yt]

Great job on devising a way to thread the elastic through Zartan's torso. I ended up using an x-acto to split the torso on mine, but yours is a far better way of doing it. Apparently, Hasbro sonic welded Zartan, which is why the torso halves stick together. Zandar and Zarana are also sonic welded, so Toy Polloi's fix will work on them, too.

[@Plokman040]

Dave, just so you know the finish of paint between Gloss and Matte is called Satin. I am not aware of any other finishes but those are the three main finish types in paint. So honors are Satin finished typically based off your videos.

[@TheFilthyGoTDirt]

Well done! I'll be using your tips in the future I imagine.

[@g.ijoebear1759]

Some of the colorshifting dreadnoks were more glued than others. Some pop easily others i had to use a thin exacto blade to start cutting open at the sides and on top of the sholders, gently cutting and then using pliers to use som pressure in the bottom hole where the o-ring is connecting to the t-cross is usually the best option.

[@shibbbieshibbbie]

dude that o-ring elastic loop thing method you did was clever as hell.

[@FCastle23]

I usually heat a pin, sink it into the break and work off that. Since it melts in, it's really secure

[@uhhuhhuh100]

I'm glad you posted this video, Toy Polloi ! Zartan, Zandar, and Zarana are all made up of the same special plastic that turns blue in sunlight. They all 3 are internally glued together, making them impossible to remove the o-rings like common G.I. Joe/Action Force figures. I saw another Zartan repair video a while back where a guy used an Exact-o knife to cut through the seams of the chest all the way around the Zartan figure to get it apart to take out and replace the o-ring. However, this took him a few hours and you have to be careful not to cut too deep with the knife because he accidentally cut through one of the little dowels that holds the the figure's chest together on the inside. Other than that, he was then able to replace the o-ring then, as well as any future o-rings with no issues. I just hope my Zartan doesn't need an o-ring for a while, because I would rather try to get an actual o-ring in it over elastic, but the elastic seems to look and work great with faster results.

[@brianhoffman8756]

That is very helpful Muffin thank you.

[@darklycan8132]

Thanks for the video

[@lamondjack4349]

I think the crotch repair would be spot on if you put some gloss in the paint. It only looks a little bit different because it’s a flat mat hue and the rest of the crotch is a gloss hue. The light bouncing off the Matt surface of the paint makes it look a bit off. I also wanted to present an idea I had about Zartan’s thigh pads. Zartans thigh pads are becoming more rare and expensive as the years pass. There are literally more Zartan action figures than there are thigh pads. So in an effort to cover up the slits in the plastic thighs of the action figure I came up with idea of scanning the original thigh pads and making gloss sticker images of them. Then you can stick the images of the thigh pads on the action figures thighs as replacements. It’s an affordable solution and you might be able to make puffy stickers of the thigh pad images for a more textured solution. It may actually look good and offer an affordable long term or an affordable short term solution for Zartan restorations. Let me know your thoughts.

[@gamerid6507]

nice2 looking forward to part 2

[@namelessjedi2242]

Impressive fix once again!

[@cross3052]

When I was tenish(?) I left my Zartan out in the snow and he turned blue. And stayed blue.

[@billpagan3070]

Great video like always!

[@greenlanternhg5141]

I can see Supervisor Muffin approved the project 😂 Great video, it was something I know you but still leaves me speechless when I see you do it 👍🏽✌🏽

[@eltenda]

Nice project as usual

[@jonathancampbell5523]

The best resource for this line of toys is Yo Joe.com. I wish there were more toy lines with WHOBIT databases like YoJoe has to figure out which piece goes to which figure.

[@humblefam6462]

Jonathan Campbell been using yojoe.com since their inception (many years ago) so I know exactly what you mean. They’re a great resource and also feature many ads of some great vintage toy stores and other useful sites pertaining to the line.

[@Thehumblecollectoruk]

Looking forward part 2 great video

[@TheNightBadger]

Zartan is notorious for being a 'welded' figure - much to the dismay of collectors - especially as he's a very popular character.

[@optrists]

Use a scaple blade under the shoulder. They usually pop apart. I have done 10+ without a problem

[@TENACI0USP]

I’ve taken many, many Action Force figures apart over the years including Zartan & never once had any figure that didn’t just break apart easily upon removing the body screw. This is the first instance I have seen him being stuck together. Great idea with the Miliput though. The groin part is the most common break

[@toypolloi]

I have three Zartans and they are all stuck like this. And have asked others who say the same. Maybe it is down to where they were produced.

[@TENACI0USP]

Weird. I have two. The first I bought new when I was a kid and the second I picked up in a bunch of figures from a car boot sale. Both came apart easily once I removed the screws in the back. All GI Joe/AF figures I had were the same. Usually very easy to replace the o-ring. Just the groin breakage thing was a problem for me, so thanks for the fix-it guide :)

[@burtreynolds2969]

Great job on the crotch fix. Although, I think the paint should of had a touch more glossiness to it.

[@GenXToysGeek]

it looks like your Zartan's main body is sonic welded, which is unusual for G.I Joe figures

[@FCastle23]

Zartan and family were made from color changing rubber which was soft. The front and back were glued together since the sides couldn't pinch together with just a screw

[@mikesmith2718]

That’s a lot of work to repair the o ring I have always used fresh boiled water warmed the plastic up until the glue degrades then pop it apart

[@BigBennKlingon]

Zartan is a bit tricky to get open without damage. But it's certainly way easier than this threading nightmare lol

[@bjrn-jakobbenonisen3497]

Thank you for AT LAST doing a GI JOE restoration video.. I've been waiting years for this! Great video and great tips.. I would love it if you found a way to seperate Zartans torso.. Iike the way you seperated battledamage Skeletor! Both are glued.. Maby boiling will soften the glue?

[@jamboshangotherandymolesmo5913]

Replacement o rings on eBay. Easy to replacement when torso stripped

[@noodlefire64]

Zartans head changed in the last clip? They both had matching heads and then one suddenly had a beard? 😂

[@camcordernonsense5264]

No matter how I try to care for his ride it just breaks. Lost of it is a softer plastic which seems like it should be more pliable and not break

[@rogertaylor9435]

Just a quick question mate.Some of my star wars figures have sticky limbs .I know this is something to do with the plastic decaying .Is there a way of dealing with this problem and if there is once done should i spray polish to shine or should i use something else more industrial .I hope you can help if anyone can its you .Love all videos .Cheers mate.

[@toypolloi]

I just give them a wash in hot soapy water. It will come back over time. And yes it's the plastic degrading. They will all do it in time.

[@GoliathAngelus]

Some one is using the name Action Force. I picked up some of those cheap but nice looking figures brand new with the same name

[@toypolloi]

I've not seen those. I was in the entertainer today, just lots of cheap star wars stuff, and a few transformers they can't shift.

[@GoliathAngelus]

@@toypolloi I can tell,,they aren t original GI Joe figures but for its low price, they are looking very nice and well build. So the quality is there. Just like the old figures from the past but in a modern way without the o ring.

[@andrewpattie3528]

Ive got an ‘89 Raider tank driver GI joe figure with a missing leg. How would I go about finding a replacement?

[@fortendo0207]

Please can you collect and reviewing real ghostbusters figures loved the video😋😛😁😄🙂

[@awgroom]

RIP over the rainbow bridge Muffin :(

[@southwindbrother]

Hi toy-polloi!. Just to let you know, there is a screw in the hole in his back. His body will come apart when you take out that screw. All GI Joes/ Action Force figures are made that way.

[@toypolloi]

Not on this figure. The screw will come out, the body is also welded together.

[@2517jpa]

Zartan can split open with a pair of pliers, done it hundreds of time to replace the o-ring

[@toypolloi]

But you also risk damaging the figure that way. So I would prefer not to have to do that.

[@Tim-57]

What the heck? I had the reminder set and it just showed up...a day late...🙁 Oh well 🤷 I still enjoyed it Dave. Hope that it all went well for you😁

[@toypolloi]

It's only just gone live. So you haven't missed it by much.

[@Tim-57]

@@toypolloi Am I watching the wrong video then?

[@toypolloi]

This is the correct video. Not really sure how this premiere stuff works. Learning as I go.

[@Tim-57]

@@toypolloi It is all good Dave. I have never watched a live feed involving a channel I wanted to watch, so I did not stick around. It is 2:16am here, going to get some sleep. Take care and thanks for your time tonight.🙂

[@jeffreybarnes2234]

I don't know how to send a picture to you of the transformer

[@toypolloi]

Via any of the social media links in my about page, or via the email listed there. Cheers

[@jakelockley1726]

My zartan just had both his heels shatter like an explosion when I put him onto the pegs of a figure stand. Brittle plastic.

[@FCastle23]

It's common. The hole placement wasn't good.

[@TheNightBadger]

I bought a vintage Firefly a few years ago, and was very sad when the same thing happened to me. Took me hours to find the tiny heel that had flown off. It was in my keyboard under the keys!

[@Tim-57]

I am confused...haha😜 Just watched part 1 of the swamp ski guys and it did not appear to be live. Cannot find anything else on u-tube with you live.

[@toypolloi]

It was only live if you watched it at 9am. Now it has reverted to a normal video I guess.

[@Tim-57]

@@toypolloi Oh ok...haha U-tube stated that you were on live at 1am, an hour ago..bummer. Not your fault Dave.🙂 I am over in BC, Canada so guessing that things got goofed up. Did you have fun? What time is it for you?

[@jeromekennedy330]

can I have one

[@toypolloi]

I've already given my spare away to a fellow collector. He appeared in the GI Joe special of my Pocket Money Memories episode.

[@yunoyuluvit]

Unfortunately, the only way to open a Zartan, or one of his relatives, is to warm the body and carefully cut open with a sharp hobby knife.

[@brazwewn]

Ugggghhh! Another Premiere!

[@toypolloi]

It's not much different to how I normally post my videos. I just means I can chat live when this one goes up. Treat it as a normal video I upload on a Friday.

[@brazwewn]

Toy Polloi problem is I watch based on my subscriptions page. I will most likely forget by then, and I am not available during the window to watch. The chances of me remembering to go back and watch in the future are slim.

[@toypolloi]

You should always check Toy Polloi at least once a week :D As KZbin often doesn't tell my subscribers about new videos. Their algorithm sucks big time : (

[@originalzev1]

Wow, he's making this way more complicated than it has to be I always just unscrew the screw in the back pops it apart put a new o-ring in put it back together it's not that big a deal been doing it since I was like 11 or 12 years old