Star Wars Vintage R5-D4 Restoration Kenner 1979

RetroBlasting tackles the biggest restoration yet, which happens to be the smallest toy of them all! A vintage Kenner Star Wars R5-D4 action figure...that survived a childhood house fire and was the very last Star Wars toy Tim had left...
#RetroBlasting #R5D4 #toyrestoration

[@UnearthlyLads63]

This is heart warming. The love and care that you have, Michael and Melinda, for people's childhood memories and nostalgia and the lengths you go to in order to help preserve those is stunning and really puts a smile on my face. I love watching RetroBlasting restoration videos. The love is clearly real. Know that we truly appreciate it! God bless! xD

[@retroblasting]

Thanks much BlueBrick!!!

[@ivankadump2539]

Great stuff, literally my fav YT channel.

[@toypolloi]

Thanks for the shout out guys. Glad my tips helped. You can also use break fluid to remove old paint. Works like a charm. Check out my recent video on fixing a Micronauts pharoid to see it in action.

[@retroblasting]

Toy Polloi We always give credit where credit is due, my friend! - Michael

[@TheSonOfRyan]

I love your videos. As I am British, I know I can actually get all the chemicals in your videos.

[@noumenon3020]

It was really cool to hear you mentioned and then see your comment, Toy Polloi! I really enjoy both of your channels. You guys do great work. :)

[@lostonwallace1396]

I love that you set out not to simply repair the toy, but to bring back the original owner's memories of the toy by lovingly restore it. You guys, like Toy Polloi, are showing all of us the importance of preserving our past childhoods so that we can share that with others for years to come. :)

[@SoulcastProductions]

This is truly heart warming, the care and love for the figure and understanding of the person's connection with the old figure.

[@myronaustin]

Freakin' AMAZING!!! It isn't even my toy but I loved the care you guys put into it. Life long fan here!!

[@daviddorward7684]

Really appreciated the care and attention you gave this childhood survivor. Great vlog.

[@cosmonautchos1663]

If Tim (the owner of the R5-D4) is reading this comment I want to say I feel really bad for him, loosing things like that would mean a lot, I know I would never get over my entire Astromech droid collection being burnt in a house fire. Glad to see you got a fully repaired R5-D4.

[@wendellsawyer4386]

Good luck with building that collection back up,Tim. I do know how hard that loss hits you. I lost my collection in a house fire in 1982. What hit me hardest though was losing my Landspeeder, Bespin Luke, Snow Trooper, my first Stormtrooper which were given to me by my sister, who was killed by a drunk driver a few months prior. I wish I would have separated those.

[@gunnysgames2321]

You definitely did this gentleman a great service. I would give anything to still have my figures and vehicles from my childhood. I gave them to a relative who lost everything in a fire. I was 12 or 13 years old. Found out they were sold years later. I hope they found a good home.

[@batangbatugan]

Oh wow, I would've never guessed that so much work went into such a small toy. But I completely understand the goal- it's not to restore a vintage figure for resale value, but to restore someone's beloved childhood toy. You guys went above and beyond on this one, kudos!

[@retroblasting]

Wilson Tortosa Thanks Wilson. Many thanks.

[@garrettgarrett9365]

Bless you guys for what you did. Amazing and heart warming.

[@Spaced_Invader]

Had a very stressful day. This video just made my day! Thank you RetroBlasting! Much love!

[@VioletGrey]

Another great piece of purposeful restoration. It's always wonderful when you guys can help someone get a little piece of their childhood back. Great work!

[@toy_room_of_insanity]

This restoration blew me away! Definitely a job to be proud of!!!!

[@retroblasting]

Count Stankus Thanks man!

[@MarkDemeo]

I think considering the condition this toy was in,you did a great job,maybe he is the droid we were looking for after all.

[@drakon32]

Wow! That looks fantastic. You guys did a great job.

[@Tinytraveler]

I'm just watching some of your older content and truly enjoyed this one. Thank you for your work throughout the years.

[@JD_Colton]

I'm impressed. Brought that thing back from the grave. Good work!

[@retroblasting]

Joe Colton Thanks!

[@scumandvillainy8828]

Jawas everywhere are envious of your R5 restoration skills!!!

[@retroblasting]

+Scum and Villainy HAHAHA!

[@Casimir1100]

You guys are amazing!!!! Your personal touch and understanding are very commendable.

[@Fauntleroy.]

This brought a tear to my eye! So much love goes into what you do. Keep up the awesome work!

[@FADE_FROM_VIEW]

fedorajoe well said! I found myself tearing up a bit at Tim's predicament, but the RB team has once again shown why these treasures of yesterday mean so much to us.

[@retroblasting]

fedorajoe Will do! Thanks for watching and supporting our channel!

[@TVfanfanatic]

That was the most stunning restoration I've ever seen! I don't think many people would have given that toy a 2nd chance. Great Job!

[@scikaiju]

That was a great job at restoring an old figure, just simply awesome.

[@OldBoley]

Wow. You guys did an amazing job restoring that. So much care and attention. Well done.

[@joecybertech7014]

RB this will never get old. Y’all are amazing!

[@timconlon9675]

OMG! This made me cry. Thank you for saving Tim's last toy. I had to sell all of mine to pay for a car accident when I was seventeen. And I sold them for $100. 😔 Stupid is as stupid does, I guess.

[@retroblasting]

Our sympathies for having to make that sacrifice

[@SkippyVinyls]

Nice R5 restoration. I took my childhood R5 on holiday to Italy last year and photographed him at all the ancient tourist sites. Poor guy came home with a lot of rubs to his sticker from travelling in my pocket. He now has a donor body with a decent vintage sticker, but the legs, neck, head and motivator are still all original :)

[@GungraveFreak]

This is great! For anyone who's saying, "Why didn't he just buy a new one online?" That's not the point. Our childhood toys are something we cherish. Sometimes, they're some of the only memories we have of those times from long ago.

[@killercustomfigs6079]

Retroblasting, I recently picked up a vintage Stormshadow gi joe that had been painted head to toe RED! Thanks to this video I have been able to fully restore this great piece of 1984! Keep up the great work, all of us novices appreciate it!

[@art-n-filmsam3844]

I wanna see a Kenner C3PO restoration vid, I'm interested to see how you can do a full chrome figure

[@eightbit1975]

Great job! If I had one surviving toy and it was in such poor shape I would have been really grateful for someone to restore it like this. If I were Tim this would be the crown of my personal collection.

[@samanthaadams619]

Well done, Mike and Melinda. You gave that figure excellent TLC, and it's as good as new.

[@robertward5047]

I miss these simple videos from simpler times.

[@tyrantpictures]

Great job, Mike & Melinda!!!!! Tim must be thrilled. That was really cool of you to go that extra mile for him.

[@MadTheDJ]

Great work! My brother and I never had R2-D2, but we did have R5-D4 and sometimes he was forced to fill in as our "R2" on adventures. We had the X-wing and the Y-wing, and because the X-wing had a built in R2 as the button for the S-foils, R5 got to ride in the Y-wing. I'll always have soft spot for R5-D4 toys. I don't know where ours went over the years (he may be in a box in my closet with some of my surviving SW figures, but I don't think he is). Anyways, as an R5 fan, thank you for restoring this little astromech!

[@WyzGyzEntertainment]

Amazing job you guys. So heartwarming

[@jimdarklighter1482]

wow... Michael and Melinda... I am so breathless right now... I salute the both of you!... :)

[@JosephProductions]

I got a Star Wars kenner lot.. R2-D2 is in bad condition I defiantly need to use this method for the loose legs and the nail.

[@brianholcomb665]

Amazing!!! You guys did an incredible job and the care and love you put into this restoration is just awesome. This R5 was not just "some toy" but a piece of someone's childhood,in fact the only remaining piece and you treated it appropriately. Great job!!!!

[@rictusmetallicus]

Great video! Such love and care for our memories of the past. Thank you for that and especially for all the good advice on restoring those toys.

[@DarthIllusive1]

Now, that's a project Mike and Melinda. Wow...very nice recovery job!

[@retroblasting]

DarthIllusive1 It was touch and go there for a while...

[@sto-scans]

Almost 5 years late to the party, but had to congratulate you on an amazing job. I hope Tim was delighted with it. I certainly would have been!

[@Charlou27]

That was really nice. Great job you two. Very moving to restore the one last childhood toy.

[@retroblasting]

Charlou27 We were sweating it at times...

[@tazrex69]

Kudos, guys. As the restoration progressed, I kept waiting for you to say "the chrome is shot on this part so we salvaged another from a donor" or "we had an extra pair of legs that were in better shape than these" but you went the extra mile and restored every original element that you had (aside from the sticker and original paint). Not the biggest or most intricate restoration you have presented so far, but probably the most impressive. Keep it up!

[@petervenkman5483]

Wow, great job! That was nice of you to do that and to share the restoration process with us all.

[@retroblasting]

Peter Venkman You're welcome!

[@josey6877]

Awesome job ... You guys do great work can't say enough

[@ACe-zg1je]

What a great job. Not to mention how meaningful it is.

[@patrickburton9869]

Incredible job, blew me away. Pretty sure the consensus here is clear from all of the comments below...this was a special project, and you guys couldn't have done a better job. I'm sure Jim is just as happy to see it in such condition.

[@retroblasting]

Patrick Burton We send it back to him this week! Fingers crossed!

[@josefino72]

Amazing! One of the best restorations you’ve done.

[@ryschnyfireyguys4115]

I remember this video from 5 years ago when I was 10 years old and now I'm 15... Glad to see you all are still making videos for those that enjoy them and I hope Tim from Illinois is happy with the figure.

[@rikhorror]

I can hardly believe this.. retroblasting for president now! Guys have you been working on how to achieve miracles? Brilliant.

[@retroblasting]

Rik Ice We're working on it. Sometimes we fall short though. :)

[@NickRyderSGC]

That really was a lot of work - but it sure looks good in the end - honestly it gives hope to a lot of us guys who used to "Customize" our toys trying to make an original and they look well... like that. And then we regret it years later. I was actually pretty amazed at how well that Simple Green worked - I thought for sure you'd have to go right to the thinner or something much harsher like just sanding it down. And the fact that you matched the white on the legs so well is just amazing. You really didn't go "too far" - it's the same original toy just fixed up so he can pass it on to his kids or hell... keep it as a memento of his childhood. Sure it'll never be "Worth" anything but even those that care about that - it looks good. Probably looks even better in person than on the video. Keep up the great work - I'm glad that I'm not the only one who sees memories in old toys, even broken ones!

[@retroblasting]

+NickRyderSGC Thanks Nick. Much appreciated.

[@contactlight8079]

Toy Polloi brought me here...Great Job on that figure, very impressed.

[@retroblasting]

The Tusken Raider Thanks! Toy Polloi is "good people"!

[@darthpacino]

I loved this one! What a great result..kudos to Melinda for the paint match/application skillz...hope to see a lot more unique figure restorations on the channel. Noice!!

[@knightro22]

Hi Retroblasting. I just used the simple green to remove some crusty paint from some old stormtroopers and it worked like a charm. Thanks for the tip!

[@mergenbeen]

WoW!!! Amazing job! And A great tip about the chrome.

[@destinycaptain247]

So shines a good deed in a weary world.

[@gusbaker4u]

That restore was pretty amazing. Also, you have a beautiful kitchen/repair shop.

[@retroblasting]

gusbaker4u Thanks Gus. We wish it were often cleaner...

[@ryanbwags]

Awesome. I had R5 before I had an R2-D2 back in the day. You guys did a great job.

[@Jedi3671]

Awesome restoration guys! Just amazing how much you guys care about preserving those items that gave us 80's kids so many great memories! I for one thank u! And keep up the great videos!

[@retroblasting]

Jedi Council Will do! Thanks for being with us!

[@elcroz]

Brilliant job the both of you. Sad story, the chap will be thrilled when he gets his little Droid back.

[@333darthste]

Excellent careful job - looks fantastic!

[@jjlloyd8017]

Outstanding job! Your videos never fail to educate and entertain. You two are a gift to the collecting community.

[@OIFEagle]

Another awesome restoration! What a wonderful thing to do for a fan!

[@retroblasting]

***** Thanks OIFE'!

[@thomasrusselgall327]

very cool video! R5-D4 was my 2d droid (after R2-D2 of course)...

[@guitardudeguy3139]

Nice job! And thanks for the paint cleaning tips!

[@Dethark75]

Amazing results! I am impressed.

[@UNCVTTARCHIVE]

Can you guys do more figure restorations they're really entertaining and informative. :)

[@vernonwilmervideo]

Awesome, entertaining & informative video, as always. I know it's an older upload, but I'm spending the pandemic isolation watching all of Retroblasting!

[@j4rp13bot4]

Great restore. Work to be proud of, on many levels.

[@retroblasting]

Jarpie Bot Thanks

[@soundlemonade]

So cool! Wonderful job! Got me right in the feels.

[@razorsedge5145]

Phenomenal work. You guys did a great job.

[@billymusick]

Great Job on the restore guys...I've been without YT for a month...I'm stoked to have four new RB videos to go thru!

[@lomaxx1138]

Excellent job!!! I like what you guys are doing for the hobby. Its not always about how much money you can make. Its about the memories. My hat is off to you.

[@retroblasting]

Larry Bailey It really is about the memories, Larry! :)

[@nvmbrsdoom5]

Honestly, I think this is one of my favorite videos I've seen from Retroblasting. You both did an amazing job on this, I really didn't expect the final result to be that awesome. It was a lot of work but I'm sure that dude had to have been happy to get his childhood toy back like that! Cheers!

[@retroblasting]

nvmbrsdoom5 Boy howdy, we didn't either. We were hoping for the best, we feared mediocrity, but we got a result even better than expected.

[@damianjones7554]

beautiful restoration job

[@gxbouncer1]

Thank you guys!!! Good job !!!!!

[@villainsrule]

Videos like this are why I'm subbed! Great job! You guys are one of the few channels that truly has a reverence for toys and the memories people shared with them.

[@retroblasting]

villainsrule Thanks for supporting us!

[@fdfkjow]

you two are awesome to do that for tim

[@retroblasting]

+nicholas spence Thanks Nicholas

[@ShenValleyPicker]

Job well done guys! You two are awesome for helping preserve a generation. Toys and fans alike. Keep fighting the good fight!

[@retroblasting]

+John Hensley Will do!

[@Kane3036]

Great restore! It looks brand new

[@WarmachineVengeance]

Cool story, bro. No really, that was an amazingly cool story! Way to go guys!

[@retroblasting]

***** Thanks Warmachine!

[@tlaloc92]

You actually did an amazing job. Bravo !

[@RocketPunchArmy]

Great video, thats was cool of you guys to bring it back to life like that for someone. great resto tips. That Alclad is pretty insane at looking like chrome

[@retroblasting]

+RocketPunchArmy Yeah, we were stunned by the result. Glad we went that route.

[@Sturmdude]

This is one of the most badass restorations yet.

[@retroblasting]

Sturmdude Thanks!

[@Wario7793]

That is an amazing restoration!! I hope Tim really appreciates all the work and sweat put into that lucky figure. I totally would if I were him.

[@agentxdigitalvideo8231]

Amazing job!

[@artpercy5944]

You both did an amazing job on this I can't Applaud you more!!!

[@retroblasting]

***** Much appreciated!

[@surrealcereal603]

This blessed my heart. Thanks guys.

[@davidphelan7514]

I honestly loved the droid before the restoration. There was something great about it.

[@CUfan712510jd12340987]

Awesome restoration!!!

[@ArtistAnnex]

...like a phoenix rising from the ashes. That R5 lives again!

[@manuhuertasart]

Amazing job! Thanks for sharing.

[@starlight381a]

...Your videos are always good :) And you're both true artists, It's a pleasure to follow your channel.

[@retroblasting]

Saverio Scialfa Thanks so much Saverio!

[@starlight381a]

Guys, you're just amazing! ;)

[@alexbissonnette6355]

Perfect restoration in my opinion

[@Stevedop832013]

This is why you guys are one of my favorite youtubers out there. So much care not only for toys but for people. You guys deserve all the success on this channel that you get. Look forward too many more subs and videos on this channel.

[@retroblasting]

Cyber Blu-ray Fanatic Thanks Cyber! Any word of mouth our supporters provide is invaluable to us! Thank you!

[@BanthaPooDOOM]

Wow, you guys did an EXCELLENT job on this resto! I'm sure he was happy with the results, because I know I would be! Toypolloi is always a helpful resource when it comes to vintage toys, just like you guys. Thank God for your channel as well! Keep up the good work guys and may the force be with you.

[@retroblasting]

BanthaPooDOOM To you as well!

[@VeryHairyDoggo]

Rip all the Droids who died in the fatfull fire of tim ' s house

[@mickmerr]

Great work guys , I really enjoy these restoration videos.

[@michaelcabrera794]

I don't know how you're going to top this restoration video. lol! This one was amazing and the best one yet!!

[@retroblasting]

Michael Cabrera Yeah, we've decided that we're just going to move on to the next project and take it one task at a time.

[@FieroScooter]

excelent job on the resto! im learning so much!

[@timvogel68]

Awesome restoration! I can appreciate someone who appreciates toys and their fond memories!!