Transformers G1 Soundwave restoration - Toy Polloi

Soundwave had a number of very common issues. These old Transformers always seem to suffer with loose legs and for this Decepticon his tape deck is often broken. So it was time to get him fixed up and ready for some action. He now has stiff legs and a tape deck that ejects tapes once again.
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[@andybennington637]

Sound wave is one of the coolest Transformers ever!

[@GodWeenSatan]

Is the coolest

[@Caspero68o]

Optimus prime is mine, seekers, sound wave...I could go on for awhile 🙂

[@ultramanz4006]

I just got one! For $5!

[@user-gh5jc9tx5r]

@@ultramanz4006 Wow, was it in good condition?

[@ChanceKearns]

My favourite is starscream (the older one)

[@MichaelJShaffer]

Soundwave was always my favorite of the Megatron's minions. By far the most competent and intelligent (at least on the cartoon) to me. Great to see him with all the extra stickers applied, too. I always wondered why the door had broken, as I was pretty careful with him and even managed to not lose his accessories. Cool fix and thought removing the spring was the smartest thing to do. I really liked the Lego mod to Richard's Soundwave with the headphones 🎧. Awesome as ever, Dave!

[@toypolloi]

Thanks Michael. When it first came out in sure the tape deck worked great. Just one of those things that happens to plastic over the years as it degrades. The headphones worked way better than I hoped. And amazing you can still get some that look like they came from the 1980's.

[@pscoolguy]

I only had one Transformer growing up and it was Soundwave. It came with the bird cassette tape and I bought a very broken panther cassette tape from a friend for 50 cents. I had to give him two days worth of my milk money. Hahaha I am very impressed with your toy fixing skills sir!

[@ctrlallterrors]

I know this is an old comment but Ravage.... Please call him Ravage .. 😂

[@asbjrnandersen4222]

Thank you for this! I recently bought Soundwave where the door could close but seemed a bit skewed. Thanks to your video, I have now removed the dreaded spring :)

[@toypolloi]

Glad I could help!

[@MD-1982]

I've always loved G1 Soundwave! The best Decepticon/Transformer in my opinion

[@CracktasticPlastic]

A tip for wrapping PTFE tape around a post that is hard to get to is to first wrap some around a toothpick (or anything similar) in the opposite direction, then you can hold the end up against the part you are wrapping with another toothpick until you get it wrapped around.

[@LastBastian]

Great idea 👍

[@camdavison4220]

I can’t get it even close to fitting with the tape.

[@mikesmith2718]

The fix many have been waiting for. When I tried to repair my blaster and soundwave doors I was blind with very little info out there on how to fix them so this is great . Thanks for everything you do for the community ToyPolloi

[@ianroe1076]

I'd recommend being careful about lighter fluid pooling on the plastic; in my experience those kinds of alcohols can make the plastic go brittle if there's too much exposure.

[@AllysonA8281]

I find myself amazed every time to see how very far a little love and care can go towards restoring these gems from our childhood to their former glory (especially one of my all-time favorites). Thank you for another FANTASTIC video! Cheers! 😀

[@spaceballsrules5603]

Thank you so much for making this video. I just got a G1 Soundwave that needed some major work, and this video proved invaluable in accomplishing that. Great advice on removing the spring to avoid future damage. I still don't understand how you reinstalled the doors without breaking them. Mine broke on the first try after repairing, so for the second go round, I glued it together while the door was already partially installed. Just made sure to keep the door from bonding with the frame, and it all worked out in the end.

[@CoindoorDave]

I love the term "crocodile" clips - here in the Midwest (USA), we call them either "alligator" or "roach" clips...the later being a reference to a certain illicit "herb"

[@willcurtiss6258]

and G clamp vs C clamp

[@1995RangeRover]

If you can't fix it, it can't be fixed! Bravo!!!

[@mitchellpawlina586]

Excellent fix as usual, but I think a little buffing on that tape door and may be a quick dip in some floor polish would’ve brought that Shine back to the tape door.

[@craniumbear]

A transparent yellow marker Canale chrome look gold.

[@MD-1982]

I have a G1 Soundwave; its a 25th Anniversary reissue, but whats special about it is he can hold 2 Cassetticons (Ravage & Lazerbeak came with him)

[@lemonherb1]

Very nice repair procedures you developed here. I do remember opening up my Soundwave and seeing that 'V' shaped spring. I don't remember why I did it though, but it all looks familiar to some degree. I don't remember making any modifications though, but I'll keep that in mind about removing that spring. Regarding displaying him with the floppy legs, I remember putting in a pair of real AA batteries in the battery compartment in the back to act as a counter balance, and that worked well for display purposes. I'll have to remember to try the teflon tape fix for that. I also stored a real micro cassette in the chest compartment for display purposes, as I never liked the empty look when his minions were on display. I remember buying the re-issues about 20 years ago and was surprised at the change in the mold of the torso and the tape door. They extended the door 'hinges' further out and down and pegged them into the 'Play' button part. I always thought that looked terrible, but it was much more substantial structurally and likely was done this way to side step the issues of the earlier mold.

[@capencowl]

Thanks for making this. I’ve just came across your videos. I recently purchased a few g1 sixshots and 2 shadow marus to add to my masterpiece, chug, legends sixshot, greatshot, shadow maru, quickswitch collection. I don’t feel I have the skill to take apart and clean the figures throughly, but I’ll try taking a tooth brush and warm soapy water to them and try to really dry out the metal bits.

[@Arvak60]

Good old times, when toys could easily be dismantled ! ^^

[@muttrogers6586]

I'm really digging the headphones! I didn't know that the original figure came with a pair. I wonder if someone out there has modified a Walkman or some similar tape player to look like Soundwave?

[@korydoe4813]

More ingenious fixes ! So fun and inspiring to watch you do you thing, cheers!

[@toypolloi]

Thank you very much!

[@MonkeyboysToys]

We need TP t-shirts that say "hot soapy water", "fiddly bits" and "that spring might ping out" 😂

[@toypolloi]

Check out my merch shop. It should appear bellow each video in youtube.

[@sockpuppetentvideogameplay3215]

I love it when you wash the toys. That is my favorite part of your videos.

[@supercheekykiwi]

Fantastic. I'm trying to source damaged ones and do a bit of diy.

[@Tim-57]

Hey Dave Hope that you are doing well. As always, great fix Dave. I thought to myself; He will find that spring before the others come in. Par for the course. 😉 Take care

[@The_Shiny_Red_Dingus_of_Mingus]

If you do decide to put the spring back in, you should be able to change the spring's tension by heating it up, and closing the spring up a bit. You should be able to do this with a windproof lighter.

[@toypolloi]

I'm sure you could lessen the springs force. I just didn't want to risk any pressure on this plastic as it's clearly already pretty weak. And the function still seems to work well without it.

[@amp2159]

Just bought one and thank you for this amazing video.

[@toypolloi]

Glad I could help!

[@miguelarmenta8933]

this just came in my feed, after i just get a couple of g1 soundwaves , PRIME SEND FROM THE HEAVENS

[@greenlanternhg5141]

Great work 😲 I’m hoping to find the cassettes in the near future and if I do I hope I don’t find them too damaged 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@SES8856-z5u]

Wonderful video, thank you!

[@toypolloi]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Beedo_Sookcool]

Easily my favourite TransFormer. (Soundwave is, after all, superior.) Beautiful fixes, and the earphone jack was a stroke of genius. Now I know what to do for my reissue Soundwaves and Soundblaster a couple of decades down the line, if need be. Thank you! Have you tried clear coloured topcoats on the Molotow chrome to get different metallic tinges, like gold or copper and suchlike? It's something I want to try out, but I'm 4,000+ miles away from my customising materials, and what with the travel restrictions . . . .

[@fujitamakos8884]

thanks for this video . i bought a reissue second hand soundblaster mint in box (original onwer only wanted the cassettes in the box) didnt even know this issue existed. so now i know what to look for in the future and a possible fix.

[@KevinArcade87]

Wouldn't it be better to use a hairdryer or something for the sticker glue?

[@TimHayes]

Today's programming has been brought to you today by Michael Shaffer! :)

[@MichaelJShaffer]

It's all Dave. I just made a modest donation.

[@gieselats]

Really cool idea to add the headphones to the soundwave. Keep up the good work. Stay safe. Stay healthy.

[@mlindy7125]

Very nice and detailed video! Great Job👍🏻👍🏻 Two more classic Transformers saved from the landfill

[@andrewowens5254]

A spring out of a ball point pen may be close to the same size as the one you lost

[@francoisregis2155]

Wow great work thanks for showing us how to restore our toys

[@gibbie80s61]

The door issue may be why they changed the hinge design from Soundblaster onwards. All Soundwave reissues use the newer hinge design. It may not look as good with the hinges being more visible but hopefully it will last better.

[@eltenda]

Another great repair video

[@TimHayes]

Excellent work Dave!

[@toypolloi]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@zehilereviews9016]

This video help tonight has been rough

[@daverage4729]

Fabulous job Dave. I think the cassette door opens a lot smoother without that spring. Also, nice one on the headphones. Lol! Very ingenious. :)

[@toypolloi]

Thanks 👍

[@palpatine1975]

Genius... Toy genius.

[@TooOldToGrowUp]

Great Job! I'd like to try some of this with mine, but I think I'm just too scared to pop him apart like that!

[@lemonherb1]

Watching this video again, and I'm wondering if a clear yellow paint over the Molotow chrome might help give it a gold appearance?

[@toypolloi]

It could work well. The tamiya clear paints worked well on another project I have done since.

[@brianm6337]

*pants* First! Now to see what tips I can get to fix mine. He was found in a box by a dumpster.

[@batangbatugan]

Another great restoration and modification video! Now I actually wonder if anyone has made a custom walkman that looks like the Soundwave toy that can actually play mini-casettes. Someone probably aready did I'm just not aware of it.

[@toypolloi]

I'm sure that must have been done. Soundwave is very similar to some old Sony Walkmans.

[@supercheekykiwi]

Great video. Would love to see you try to repair a bluestreak g1. Those things always seem to have major issues

[@loganjorgensen]

Typically the cassette door is usually broken because kids pulled on it directly, why they did that when there is a button release idk. O_o??? My cousin had one bitd and quite enjoyed the toys inside another toy design of it.

[@parky2310]

Absolutely amazing work as ever Dave!

[@toypolloi]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@darahdoyle3176]

About the spring, could you not have simply made it a bit less 'springy'?

[@erickavery1]

Love your transformers repairs. If I could make one request I'd love to see you fix the autobot jumpstarters twintwist or top spin. They have a tension spring setup in them that I can't begin to figure out how to fix for my childhood one.

[@toypolloi]

Those are favourites of mine. I'll see if I can get a couple of broken ones to work on. Cheers

[@mintpalmer]

I've found some success in applying coloured Sharpie over molotow chrome. Might be worth a go with a yellow Sharpie over the chrome?

[@evanmoyer1562]

Just what I needed

[@squirrelkilla7371]

That is the sharpest pair of Swiss Army Knife scissors I have ever seen

[@madcaptoys]

Very informative . Just a note haven't been getting notified on your latest videos. Had to redo the bell on my subscription to you. Thanks for the great work.Daren

[@toypolloi]

KZbin playing tricks again. Unsub and resub again. Cheers

[@madcaptoys]

@@toypolloi will do and again good job.

[@vesuviustitanus4006]

Soundwave Superior!

[@KaylMacLaren]

I know this is an older video, but do you think that a slightly weaker spring would cause less torque/damage to the cassette door? Excellent repair, as always!

[@toypolloi]

Yes it would. But now these are damaged I prefer to just remove them as the door still works without it. Cheers

[@nevets0007]

if you check thingiverse they have some 3d printed repair parts for soundwave

[@Incorruptus1]

Can you trim the force of the spring by making is less springy, just with clamping it inward so it springs less? So with a bit of forcing the metal to be less springing?

[@ShawnMeira]

Very excited for this one!! :D

[@farerse]

nice job, I wonder if the feet were black originally?

[@toypolloi]

I don't think so. But there are many versions of these figures around.

[@georgemartinez1720]

Heat the Clear Part in Hot water Then lay something Heavy on it.

[@JoseMedina-hs9st]

A lot of this G1 Transformers Suffer from the legs That for some reason they start tilting or star Bending forward

[@gillandro2]

One question that i have... have you ever set the work space on fire by accident with all that lighter fluid?.... the 8bitguy tends to use wd-40 but i see why you use lighter fluid since it evaporates no residue

[@toypolloi]

I haven't as I don't have any naked flames around my work area. It evaporates very quickly. And it does leave a smell like WD-40 does.

[@garyhaskins7482]

What's your best sticker removal video to watch Dave I've been through quite a few do you have any battle ram repairs videos ? Love your work you inspire me.

[@toypolloi]

It all depends on the stickers as to how to remove them. But generally lighter fluid. And yes I have video on the MOTU Battle ram. Search toy polloi battle ram and you will easily find them. Cheers

[@garyhaskins7482]

@@toypolloi thank you for your help Dave appreciate that I've got lighter fluid shall I just rub it on with a rag ? And I'll have a look for the battle ram video thank you very much for your help Dave .

[@Mynameis7nad]

Any chance you have the spring to any of these? I need one.

[@ericheckenkamp6091]

Could you make that spring lever out of plastic, or metal but with less tension?

[@kstanni87]

That toy is really complex for his small size.

[@toypolloi]

These early transformers are some of the best I find.

[@justinscales3460]

Love the restoration. Why not make a way for Buzzsaw or Laserbeak to sit on his shoulder?

[@larrychilders6599]

There kinda is

[@LuisVillalobosYT]

Thanks! I need to fix the cassette door on mine! Also the head of mine is loose and keeps going back, to bad you didn’t touch that part :/

[@toypolloi]

Some PTFE tape on the hinge pegs would be my first thought. Cheers

[@LuisVillalobosYT]

@@toypolloi thanks for responding! I’ll give it a try!

[@FullersFigures]

Wait Wait Wait!! Is it even a Friday if we don’t get to see the hot soapy water🤔

[@toypolloi]

Sorry. This was already going to be a long video so I had to skip it this time. You'll see it again in future videos.

[@FullersFigures]

@@toypolloi I jest of course. It was a great video. Soundwave was my pride and joy as a kid. It was brilliant to see the mechanics of how he transformed. Great work as always Dave.

[@GodWeenSatan]

My favorite transformer i ever had! Too bad I don't know whatever happened to him

[@brianm6337]

With the PTFE tape- would a anti static wrist band help? I was watching it having a serious case of static when you were trying to cut it. As for the springs- Ball point pen?

[@ctrlallterrors]

My Soundwave 1984 is pretty mint and boxed only issue is the cannon gun doesnt fire properly. Any fix ideas for that???

[@toypolloi]

Open it up and have a look inside. Might just be the spring getting stuck.

[@closetstarwarsfreak]

Who did you order your stickers from I can't find any

[@closetstarwarsfreak]

Never mind. It's toy hacks. Just watched the Megatron lol

[@Primetime2024]

Where do you get a replacement soundwave chest plate?

[@stevemilam9787]

Hi, I've been trying to find any videos on how to open up the rocket launcher for the g1 transformers seekers to adjust the spring. I was wondering if you knew how to get to it??? Thanks

[@toypolloi]

I think you just pull the end colour ring off and then unscrew the main body of the launcher. Inside is a latch and spring. It's a simple mechanism. Cheers

[@samsvintagerepairs867]

Thank you for sharing man! Bought one the other day and it should arrive from the 26th-29th. Both clips on the back of the clear cover are broken, so that's going to be a hard fix. Any advice?

[@toypolloi]

Styrene is your friend!

[@samsvintagerepairs867]

@@toypolloi Glad to hear it! I've been looking at the eBay photos of it, and it looks like they may still be inside. Not the best photos ever, so I'm not fully sure.

[@graysonellis8575]

i wanted to fix the door on my dads soundwave but it broke. Is there any place i can get a replacement door?

[@alphatrion100]

I want to hear a conversation between soundwave and a cylon

[@Dragnmastralex]

mine has a floppy head it won't stay up

[@steammachine3061]

Makes me wonder if a spring that holds the flint for a lighter wouldnt make a decent replacement for that door spring

[@georgemartinez1720]

Use the spring from Ball point Pen

[@wyldebill4178]

They need to make a Molotow gold pen

[@toypolloi]

They do, and I have suggested that to them.

[@wyldebill4178]

@@toypolloi I have a transistor radio with gold lines I want to restore and a soundwave so here’s hoping

[@dominickpeoples9235]

Is it possible to provide the measurements for the wood?

[@toypolloi]

I just cut them by eye until they fitted. Nothing was exact.

[@dominickpeoples9235]

@@toypolloi oic ty

[@crazynanoman]

Anyone know how to safely remove the clear cassette door? It looks like it doesn't fit without breaking.

[@toypolloi]

That's shown in this very video. Cheers

[@crazynanoman]

@@toypolloi but it seems very easy in the video, but mine seems way tighter and unless I flex it, I don't see how it can come out???

[@toypolloi]

I don't remember it being difficult at all. Are you working on the same figure? Send me a message via any of my socials and I'll see if can help there. Cheers

[@Assorted12]

I never owned Soundwave...my childhood was shameful. What were the batteries for in Soundwave?

[@GodWeenSatan]

Shoulder rocket and the other a hand gun

[@Assorted12]

@@GodWeenSatan so the battery compartment wasn't for real batteries. Ah...i was watching the tear down and could see what would need batteries. Thank you!

[@GodWeenSatan]

I know what you mean man! My parents were always broke when Christmas came around and they surprised me one year with Soundwave and Megatron. Soundwave was like my favorite toy growing up. Never really owned any others except small ones like bumblebee

[@Assorted12]

@@GodWeenSatan exactly. I had transformers, but they were all the small no-name ones. I mean, they had names but I didn't know any of them. I would have done anything for an Optimus Prime.

[@Assorted12]

@Luis Cortez I grew up in Michigan but currently live in Illinois. How about yourself?

[@SixArmedSweater]

You’re very lucky nothing made a spark.

[@danje748]

Dam, now as the Toy Wash Fetish Fanclub chairman I have to say I am deeply disappointed with this video. And we do not want any more of these "no toy washing up" videos. Also might I go as far as suggest a Washing up compilation video as a good video to end the year on.

[@toypolloi]

Sorry. It will return.

[@williamthompson5504]

WD-40 works a lot better than lighter fluid.