Vintage Star Wars Palitoy Death Star restoration - Part One - Toy Polloi

Welcome to part one of the restoration of a vintage Star Wars Palitoy Death Star. Made from cardboard and a few bits of plastic its amazing to me that many of these playsets have survived. And this one is just about holding on.
This first part covers fixing, repairing and strengthening the cardboard so the playset can be put back together.
A massive thanks to Jules Burt for the donation of this project. Check his channel out here: / julesburtuk
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[@johnscarr70]

I loved the artwork and depiction of the full range of action figures on the underside of the base. I never did "collect them all"

[@mksolid82]

I really enjoy these restoration videos. After you clean the plastics on your toys, you should polish them up with “Novus plastic clean and shine polish”. It really adds an extra shine to old plastic toys and in some cases it makes them glossy again. It works great on vintage Star Wars action figures. 👍

[@dial3]

You are a true master! For some reason I had a crazy thought this morning? This vintage set is incredible. My thought was, with all of your skill you could restore this, then use the template to make your own updated version of this classic!!! A one of a kind toi pollloi piece!

[@thepicatrix3150]

Wow, every time I think there no way you manage to find one. Impressive!

[@gamerid6507]

another fun restoration

[@WaxPackin]

I love a Toy Polloi cardboard restoration vid! Thanks Dave!!

[@pliniosula]

I've become addicted to your videos!

[@greenlanternhg5141]

I remember one of your earlier videos where you fixed a cardboard box for display 🤔 I also remember my reaction “ no way! How can he fix a box?!?” BAM! Box fixed! 😂 Just seeing the notification for this I knew it was gonna be great 👍🏽😁

[@deopersad2915]

Awesome 👍🏾 looking forward to seeing it all done 🤙✌

[@lordmalvada8212]

I have one of these which has been in my parents attic for the past 30 years. I might need use of this video not too long from now.

[@habbinlad1]

This is is superb Dave. I'm really looking forward to seeing how you can restore Jules' Death Star! I know he's very much looking forward to it!!

[@TheDarthMushroom]

♥️🎉 16:20 that “swollen” corner, Will it straighten out if given glue and a clamp? 20:00 DOH!!! why was that such a simple fix and never thought of. Just what I needed for my TMNT sewer playset fix, a Big cardboard piece is torn appart. :/ thx. So nice to have you back. 😃 2020 is finally really on the go.

[@brianartillery]

Great work there. I know two people who had the set when it was new, and both of them just built it, populated it with figures, and never took it apart again.

[@hondorockz]

That was very creative, hats off to you Dave, see you in the next video my friend!

[@venomromulus]

Great work

[@vengeance1701]

There's that music! I don't know why, but I now associate the music at roughly 14:50 with your channel.

[@toypolloi]

That's good, as it is the Toy Polloi theme tune :D

[@Eks1038]

Great work, can't wait to see the final result!

[@TheUncleRuckus]

Great video like always. I have to say I really enjoyed the intro lol. That's a cool technique cleaning the cardboard with lighter fluid, I didn't know that one, so thank you. I'll have to give it a try on some of my old toy boxes.

[@banzaibobA7V]

Your lighter fluid tip is brilliant. I never even thought to use it for general cleaning. I used to use methylated spirits or medical alcohol, but found it sometimes left a slightly sticky residue (which sort of defeats the object of using the stuff). Lighter fluid really does a super job though. I've been using it to clean book covers too.

[@JulesBurt]

Incredible work already Dave. I can't help but liken this project to the start of Return of the Jedi!

[@toypolloi]

Thanks Jules. It's a labour of love for sure. Lots of work done, and lots to do. But it does at least feel sturdy now. Cheers

[@blueboyhotwheelsandmore869]

Wow you went to far links rebuilding that hinge, most people would probably have just used tape, you put in a lot of effort, that's professionalism and high quality at its finest, much props to you, very inspiring, I'm intrigued to watch your next video.

[@toypolloi]

Thanks. I wanted to stop any more damage happening to the fold, so this seemed worth the effort.

[@DougPalumbo]

Brilliant! I love watching your videos as I always come away with ideas and inspiration that I can use!

[@seed4212]

i enjoy watching your fix the toy...keep it up

[@adecook8282]

Great video Dave and a fantastic start to the restoration. Can’t wait for the next instalment 👍🏻

[@samkronis]

Thank you, I have just found one in a similar condition so this video is invaluable.

[@Tim-57]

As always I am hooked and await the continued fixes. 🙂 Really liking the work music.

[@TheNightBadger]

A-ha! 'Take Hart' - that what the bits with music remind me of!

[@brammarley]

This is great Dave! Really looking forward to the next part.

[@dametrot]

Awww magical ! Really was the greatest play set , so simple but effective :)

[@kennybonanza6324]

You never cease to amaze with some of your techniques! I have a cardboard Mego Planet of the Apes Fortress playset that needs fixing. I'll use some of your ideas for sure!

[@luvz2reed]

Yes doctor, the patient is going to need a sub-dermal, inlaid cardboard joint replacement...

[@TheToyBoy1978]

You made a great job of that 'door hinge' fix Dave, to get it perfect first time was impressive. Looking good!

[@toypolloi]

Thanks. It's much like fitting a door hinge, just with thinner cheaper materials. But does work really well.

[@bdaspny]

Simple repairs, genius level ideas how to accomplish them. Saving toys and dreams all at one time. Excellent work as always!

[@frankschuler2867]

Your videos make me happy!

[@matafuko]

That's crazy - when you were gluing the pieces of wall back together I was wondering about how you could splice in new cardboard under the paper - then you did it!

[@eltenda]

Great video as usual

[@parky2310]

Brilliant as ever Dave! - looking forward to seeing this reach it’s conclusion - Top Work Fella!👍👍

[@loganjorgensen]

Does looks nice but really quite vulnerable for a toy. I quite liked Mego's 70s take on cardboard playsets where they put clear vinyl over the pieces like a school binder has, dust and splash proof while adding a little extra structural integrity. ;)

[@javierboughton5386]

i believe this is the first time you mention why lighter fluid..thanks for the anecdote

[@neuromancerXL]

Great restoration!

[@Fnordathoth]

"I'm going to cut out a piece of the original cardboard and insert another piece to repair the hinge on the bottom of this" You're a madman Dave; a brilliant, infinitely watchable madman. Awesome fix! I can't wait to see part two of what is already an amazing restoration.

[@Spottedfeather]

can't wait for part two...

[@horrorfan1455]

great video dave i have a suggestion for a restoration the imperial attack base for a future video

[@samwats5848]

use sand paper, this grey card actually sands down well. so when adding in bits you can level areas. so taking out damaged areas is a little less stressful. and also rub both surfaces you are joining with glue. flat areas mainly will join well

[@steammachine3061]

Since Eva glue is primarily used for book binding. Wouldn't it make more sense to glue a bit of fabric to stabalise the folded sections. It would certainly be a lot stronger than using card alone and would last longer. Plus with the right coloured fabric (sack cloth for example) it would blend in quite well and be a lot more permanent than card

[@toypolloi]

I try to use what I and most people would have to hand. And also keep it close to how the original toy was made. Cheers.

[@mheuzeroth]

Why don't you fix the bubbled area, which is shown on the right side of the bottom piece (the reflections are good to see at the end of the video)? Use a needled syringe and inject a mixture of EVA-glue with some water. It will take some more time to dry, but it will eliminate those bubbles.

[@mheuzeroth]

Is this area bubbled up with free space under the bubble, or is the whole cardeboard bubbled up?

[@MichaelJShaffer]

That mortising of the cardboard hinge was some really delicate work. VERY cool fix. This is such a great project. Really enjoying this one but it looks like a lot of tedious work for you. Should pay off in the end.

[@toypolloi]

It's been a lot of work so far. But really worth it. Thanks

[@gleggett3817]

Late to party here but a couple of thoughts though they probably count as beyond most people's resources 1) vacuum gives a lot of clamping action (15 lb/sq in) - lay sections on small wood panel and put in clothes storage vacuum bag 2) laser cutter and thin ply could rebuild a completely delaminated section

[@thevintagetoykid320]

Hi Dave. I can’t wait to see the rest of this restoration. Will you be showing an easy and unique way to replace the plastic clips that hold the Palitoy Death Star together? I understand originals of these clips can be quite expensive. Thanks.

[@toypolloi]

I will be covering various clips and bits in the next episode. Just got some replacements in, and also found some more originals.

[@Bizzaro500]

Should have glued a piece of silk just under the hinge you made to provide additional strength. Similar to what they do for book covers.

[@NitrousDiecast]

I never had this playset when I was a kid, but then again I’m not sure if it was available here in Canada either... I used to make my own playsets out of cardboard and wooden blocks

[@RockandrollNegro]

Yes, it was available in Canada. It wasn't a huge seller because most parents couldn't justify the price for what was essentially a paper playset. IIRC this set retailed for the same price as the Millennium Falcon. Kenner got a bunch of complaints for this set being so cheap.

[@johnscarr70]

I dug a Sarlacc pit in the garden and created Jabbas desert palace, which was pretty much a sheet of hardboard. Much of the creativity went on the fiendish trapdoor mechanism. All that in a time where missing characters had to be created using imagination. Jabba particularly!

[@TheDing1701]

"It smells a bit, but she's got a heart of gold!" ,(Little Python reference) This reminds me of how I would find 3 or so decent sized boxes, and turn them into Cobra/ Empire bases. My mom hated it cause I would always forget to open the door! "Geez whew, you guys trying get high or just pass out so you won't have to clean the over spray?

[@rubi4646]

if it was me, i laminated like documents ...

[@dattallaudiophile236]

A damn shame the sorry state most of those vintage play sets are in, a blessing there are still some around and can be repaired.

[@jasemac5391]

Hi Brother 👍🏻🇦🇺

[@MiamiMillionaire]

👍

[@jumpgecko]

Could you send me that intro? That’s the best thing I’ve seen in quite a while.

[@RockandrollNegro]

Note: if using lighter fluid to clean things like this, make sure it's pure naptha. A lot of offbrands include other ingredients which can destroy delicate pieces. Stick with Zippo or Ronson, or just order pure naptha instead.

[@susanhall627]

Looking good so far...I'm not certain about the dome, but would one of those clear plastic ornaments work?

[@toypolloi]

I'm still having a think about what to use on the top. It's quite and odd shape, not really a dome shape, something will work, just not sure what yet.

[@TheVenomreaver]

That was a nice version of Indian summer... What version is it I would like to know thanks. 👌🏻

[@georgeaitken2719]

The clips are the same as the ones on the action force headquarters except they are brown you could buy them off eBay might have a couple spare

[@samwats5848]

recommend some gloves if using a lot of lighter fluid.

[@TheDarthMushroom]

sam wats my hands seems to get wierdly dryish when using lighterfluid too much.

[@samwats5848]

@@TheDarthMushroom yeah it draws out the moisture, normally get itchy then eventually will crack the skin..

[@Greatnate30447]

13:36 tooth picks....

[@samwats5848]

ironing can cause bubbling of laminated print, so take care and test an area

[@namolokaman2393]

It might be a good idea to wear a mask blocking organic vapors, like the type painters use (~ 25 USD), if you are going to spend a lot of time inhaling that [carcinogenic] stuff - lighter fluid, I mean.

[@crispycollar1071]

Eventually the palitoy AF cardboard playset will end up getting restored on this channel as well.

[@artkingofwholefoods74]

Dude made a hinge out of cardboard.

[@princecaspen3449]

Where's part two??? Aaahhhh

[@portland-182]

Miraculous

[@PapaYoshi]

Music at 16:33 ?

[@toypolloi]

Some free stuff from KZbin.

[@ShawnMeira]

WHERES THE TRANSFORMERS THO?? xD

[@toypolloi]

Coming soon. I've just started work on Devastator.

[@SupremeCommanderBaiser]

They really sold cardboard as a death star? Man.

[@dannyd464]

Young ?

[@paulriches7570]

Anybody want to give me a star wars death star for free