How to Tighten Loose Joints aka "The Super Glue Trick"

[@nurrjannah9025]

Condolences to Grandma who got Little man, R.I.P

[@chimonereviews7474]

I was just looking for a video on how to tighten loose joints! Nice video Thanks!

[@billmaru]

Hope this helps you!

[@order66isawesome]

​@@billmaruuhmm how do you reverse it if the super glue freezes the joint?

[@14dcook]

this worked with tightening the cap on my drawing tablet stylus too! Thanks man!

[@billmaru]

That is awesome!

[@youngcnyce]

Appreciate the guide, i use the same super glue. What i found ideal was instead of applying from the tube is to put some glue on a piece of paper, use a toothpick to dip it in the glue then apply to the areas. That way its more precise, small amount is used and you eliminate the risk of possibly applying to much by mistake from the tube directly.

[@DriftSpaceZero]

Please consider trying water-based polyurethane, which is way safer for people who don't have your level of experience. You said yourself that if people don't do this exactly as you're doing it: it will ruin the joint. Even too high relative humidity can make this process totally different, as CA will set-up faster. Polyurethane does the same thing by buildng-up layers of material inside the joint -- you can even keep applying it until you get the results you want -- but the benefit of polyurethane is that if you add too much: it just dissolves with alcohol, is reversible, and you don't ruin the figure. In Japan they've been using acrylic varnish to tighten joints for decades. I'm glad this works for you, and that you obviously have experience, but I've bought too many locked-up/glued figures myself to know that this can go south real quick.

[@billmaru]

I appreciate the input. I do try to explain as well as I can how I perform these repairs and I always suggest people test on a fodder figure if possible. Again, thank you!

[@Knightfall-rb7md]

Ik I’m a year late but what polyurethane do you use? Or can it be any water based polyurethane?

[@DriftSpaceZero]

@@Knightfall-rb7md It doesn't really matter as long as it's water-based.

[@iBeatBoxz8]

also, be careful handling any sort of polyurethane since it is toxic and known to cause health complications. This should be obvious considering it isn't something you'd find in a local arts and crafts store.

[@rikardo7t1]

Thank you for posting this!!!A little does go a long way. It is all about patience, getting a feel for it.

[@LowkeyJxyden]

thank you when i was using my figure, the wrist joint was constantly falling from the weight of the hand and this worked!

[@JbbyConstantine]

Thanks for the advice man, I really need this method for fixing the loose joint of revoltech carnage (bootleg) for my cousin

[@Saiyan1229]

Did it work? Trying to see if it works for revolver type joints

[@JbbyConstantine]

@Saiyan1229 yeh it worked (somehow it got loose again; it’s definitely the material, since it’s a bootleg and it always have low quality 💀)

[@Tyler_Lalonde-]

Great job looks great. Thank you for the advice.

[@billmaru]

Thanks for the support.

[@Zandaia]

THIS VIDEO SAVED ME

[@jimbelton]

Toy polloi often tightens joints like the hip joint by wrapping PTFE (plumbing thread) tape into the joint.

[@MikeOShay]

I have a little hinge on my phone case to prop it up for watching videos, and it was getting ridiculously loose, flinging out any time I picked the thing up. I'm currently doing the wiggle/dry step but it immediately was way better than before.

[@goldenpro1096]

This is so useful if I do have a clone that gets loose I'm definatly going to do this

[@billmaru]

You can use this on a ton of figures but I always suggest testing it on a figure first to get a feel for how fast the adhesive dries. Also, adhesives react differently on different types of plastics so it is definitely trial and error.

[@goldenpro1096]

@@billmaru oh ok I sure will

[@thepebble798]

IT WORKED! Thanks

[@ScottAT]

I make a point to buy top notch toys for the grand kids, those toys will last, and some day that little boy, that little girl is an adult… and will see it sometime and completely remember you. Then if they can pass it on to their kids…. That’s the best.

[@GaelArias-ji9lh]

Can i use any super glue

[@luciferdiesalone]

Hi bill, want to ask if you thinking the thigh swivel can be done on a red death Batman or merciless Batman figure and you will show it if it's posible

[@billmaru]

If a client sends me them to mod then I'll show them modded. I do not plan on buying them myself.

[@purplewraith]

How do you remove it from joints if it dried up to quickly?

[@billmaru]

Honestly that is why I try to encourage very small and attentive sessions. You will need to apply heat and basically cut the glue away with a razor blade. It is not an easy process and is why I charge more for repairs that clients attempted to fix themselves prior with superglue.

[@DriftSpaceZero]

Try water-based polyurethane instead; if you add too much: you can dissolve it with alcohol. It takes longer to dry, but you're less likely to ruin your figures.

[@achannelonyoutube1205]

@@DriftSpaceZero thank you, i hope to not lock my joints up again

[@Jeffdraws19]

Thanks 🙏

[@jovan3612]

Does this method work perfectly on joints, like pretty exposed joints that look like ball, you know what i mean?

[@billmaru]

Pretty much. You always need to be careful and also be mindful of superglue residue that can occur on the surface. It basically has a frosted white look. It can be painted over though. Just be extremely careful and us small amounts!

[@buzzsawgr81]

I have a gi joe classified snake eye that has a crazy loose ab crunch joint, I tried this but it didn't tighten the joint. do you have any tips on how to get the glue further down into the joint?

[@billmaru]

So you are entering a bit more advanced technique but you can use precision glue tips (grab them on amazon for crazy cheap). You can stick the precision tip inside if it will fit and CAREFULLY apply glue. You need to keep a close eye on the joint and do not allow it to lock.

[@buzzsawgr81]

@@billmaru I couldn't get anything to work so I ended up just gluing the joint, though only a little bit so it could easily be unglued if need be. it's not too big a deal since almost none of the classified figures can use the ab crunch anyway due to their armor.

[@joemamarama335]

Eyyy I’m using the same glue. How long does it take to set if I swivel every 30 seconds

[@billmaru]

It really depends on your climate. I always suggest setting aside a good half hour to an hour to nurse the joint.

[@christisrisen6774]

S glue can eat paint away. But this method does work well.

[@busterdog9455]

Could this work with swivel joints as well?

[@billmaru]

It can. You need to be very careful though.

[@vannjohnson9142]

Great video Billy! How does this method work with semi fragile figures like 3A?

[@DriftSpaceZero]

Try water-based polyurethane or acrylic varnish applied the same way as in this video. 3A stuff is expensive/limited/rare, and I personally wouldn't risk superglue. If you use too much: dissolve with isopropyl alcohol. Takes longer to dry than superglue (overnight to gauge results) but there's no risk of permanent damage.

[@billmaru]

I have had many successful repairs on 3A figures using this method but as The Timesmyth mentioned there is always going to be risk. Always test on something else first if you're not confident.

[@warrenrohr]

So sorry to bother you bro, hope you dont mind it’s driving me crazy 😝 I have a Mafex Homelander and love the figure but the arm joints especially the butterfly joints are crazy loose it’s so loose that barely can hold poses. Frustrating the hell out of me. Any recommendations on how to fix?

[@TheTrueMichael]

I was just gonna comment about a Mafex 080 Evangelion..

[@christisrisen6774]

Have you tried KIKI JOINT FIX?

[@genoxwastak3n]

can this work for ball joints too?

[@chimonereviews7474]

Does it work the same for the elbow joints too? If you said it in the video sorry

[@billmaru]

it does. Yes. You can use this method on 95% of action figure joints but you have to be careful!

[@crevis007]

Thank you

[@marlonmanalang3571]

Thanks

[@bilbobaggins3478]

how do you fix like, a locked joint? anyone please help?

[@christisrisen6774]

Baby oil, Cooking oil, coconut oil, Vaseline, How did it get locked?

[@SphinxMusic17]

does it work for wrist joints on marvel legends?

[@maelramkissoon272]

I would like to know as well

[@Medinafam1019]

Will this work with mafex leg and arm joints?

[@billmaru]

It will but you need to be extremely careful. Use VERY small amounts of glue. A little bit goes incredibly far

[@esproe]

Think i found a video of the wrong type of joint haha

[@achannelonyoutube1205]

i made the mistake of setting the action figure down to go get water and it did not cross my mind the fact that it was *SUPER GLUE* and it got stuck/jammed/locked, please help, i need to get rid of it but not break it, i can't take no for an answer it is really important to me and even if it has a low chance of working i will try it

[@dg7330]

If you put it inside of hot water, it might unlock the joint

[@billmaru]

So that is where the risk is. Chances are the figure needs to be disassembled depending on the joint. The glue will need to more than likely be cut or sanded away.

[@CC-1010-Commander-Fox]

Did anybody know he’s a really bad condition Commander Cody?

[@kaioken654]

Do you have an Instagram or something I can follow? I got a loose joint on an sh figuart dbz figure I want fixed soon or is this the only way of contacting you?