Sometimes our figures may look heavily damaged — but are they really?
Today, I’m going to explain how I clean and restore my figures in a way that can actually increase their value. This is useful whether you’re a collector who wants to preserve a collection or someone looking to sell old figures in better condition.
Figures can present several common issues, such as: dirt, scratches, paint transfers, deformation (for example, not standing properly), partially or broken pieces.
Dirt
At first glance, you might think that water alone will remove dirt. Unfortunately, soaking a figure in water with soap usually isn’t enough. Gentle scrubbing is often necessary.
I’ve found that baby wipes work very well. They clean evenly and reduce the risk of visible cleaning marks. For example, when using cotton swabs (Q-tips), you can sometimes see “cleaner lines” where you wiped — especially if the figure is only lightly dirty. Baby wipes provide more uniform results.
Scratches & Transfers
First, we need to determine whether we are dealing with a scratch that removed the paint or a paint transfer from another figure.
If the paint has been removed due to a scratch, the only real solution is repainting the damaged area. Cleaning will not restore missing paint.
On the other hand, transfers happen when figures rub against each other — for example, when they are stored loosely in boxes or during play. In many cases, transfers can be reduced or even completely removed. However, you must proceed carefully. Not all figures react the same way, and if you are too aggressive, you may remove the original paint and make the damage worse.
How I remove paint transfers
Start with a Q-tip and water. If you're worried about damaging the figure, begin very gently. Apply light pressure and gradually increase it if needed.
If water doesn’t work, try a mild alcohol solution. A small dilution of water and alcohol (little alcohol, like a perfume) can help. Again, start with minimal pressure and increase slowly.
Be observant while working. Pay attention to how the paint reacts. The movement of the Q-tip also matters — try changing angles and directions instead of rubbing repeatedly in the same way.
Patience is essential. Slow and controlled cleaning will always give better results than rushing.
Deformation
Deformation usually happens when a figure has been left in an incorrect position for a long period of time. Fortunately, this can often be corrected.
One common method is using heat — for example, a hair dryer. Gently warm the affected area until the plastic becomes slightly flexible, then carefully reposition it to the correct shape. Hold it in place until it cools down.
Another method is applying gradual tension over time to guide the part back into position.
Both approaches require patience. My main recommendation is always to be cautious.
When using tension, I like to:
- Place a thin plastic layer over the figure to protect the surface.
- Apply Scotch tape over the protected area.
- Adjust the tension gradually.
- Leave it in place for an extended period.
This method works well because you can control how much tension you apply and simply let time do the work.
Be careful not to apply strong pressure too quickly, as this can cause stress marks or surface striations on the plastic.
Broken Pieces (or Almost Broken)
When repairing broken parts, precision is everything.
Here are the most important things to keep in mind:
- Do not use too much glue. Excess glue can spill out and ruin the appearance of the figure.
- Use plastic-specific glue. This creates a stronger, cleaner bond.
- Take your time aligning the piece. Many glues dry quickly, so correct positioning is crucial.
- Apply a very small amount of glue. When you press the pieces together, the glue will naturally spread. Since we want minimal excess, less is better.
- If a piece is almost broken, you can apply glue carefully with a toothpick for better control.
- In some situations, it may actually be easier to fully separate a loose piece and then glue it back properly.
- However, if the damage is minor and the piece is stable, sometimes the best decision is to leave it as it is.
Some collectors repair missing parts using modelling clay and then repaint the area. When done well, the results can look excellent — but this requires skill and experience.
Conclusion
In many cases, figures that look badly damaged simply need proper care and patience. The key is to correctly identify the problem, start with the gentlest solution, and work slowly to avoid causing further damage.
Whether you’re preserving a personal collection or preparing items for sale, careful cleaning and thoughtful repairs can significantly improve both appearance and value. With the right approach, many “damaged” figures can look far better than you initially expected.