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Scrap, I just realize this is the thread I should be posting my toy disassembling questions.

Anyways, I'm wondering if anyone here knows how to remove the clear headlights on TF's. Certain ones like Movierverse Swindle and RTS Bumblebee have tinted headlights, which is cool, but they look fake because the plastic underneath is showing through.

In order to paint under the plastic headlights, I naturally need to remove the headlights but can't seem to find a way to do so. I'm hesitant pry them off for fear of damaging the plastic.

Thanks in advance.

Arlekkin wrote:I've been trying to remove the pins from the lower leg of Tomahawk, but the pin won't budge (even after hammering). Should I heat a bit the plastic (with a hairdryer) before hammering?

Soldering iron. Take a look at the pin first. You'll notice one side is flush with the plastic, and the other is recessed a bit. Heat the soldering iron until it's nice and hot. Then, touch it to the flush end of the pin. Be very careful not to touch the plastic or it will melt beyond repair! Heat the pin for around 30 seconds, then quickly tap the other end with the hammer and nail. This may take a few tries but, it works. I also suggest practicing on some junkers first, so that you don't ruin your Tomahawk figure.

I am a huge TF fan and have long appreciated the kitbashing of G1's, esp on the big guys like Omega and Metroplex.

I have been very sucessful on kitbashing those 2 and I feel that I wanna tackle a couple of combiners next (i.e. Menasor & Superion). I am 90% sure of what direction I wanna go.

I like the combiner design of Menasor by FrenzyRumble and I am well on my way...buuuuuuut...I dont know what was used as the combiner ports for the arms and legs. I would realy like to know what is the BEST materials to use for this.

I know this must be a simple fix. Can anyone point the way?

I'm trying to do a headswap between the walmart exclusive dotm bumblebee and rotf deluxe soundwave. So far I've simply been trying to plug soundwave's head into the bumblebee body, but that hasn't been working. It looks like either the plastic on the head sticks too far from the socket for bumblebee's peg to fit it or the pastic around bee's peg is conflicting with the head I'm not sure. Does any one have any ideas on what I should do? This is my first attempt at something like this besides a sideswipe repaint so forgive my naivete. If I should shave down the plastic how would I go about doing it? I'm thinking that I should probably shave off around the ball peg because I'm afraid of ruining the socket on soundwave's head. Any advice on this would be great.

ricemazter wrote:I'm trying to do a headswap between the walmart exclusive dotm bumblebee and rotf deluxe soundwave. So far I've simply been trying to plug soundwave's head into the bumblebee body, but that hasn't been working. It looks like either the plastic on the head sticks too far from the socket for bumblebee's peg to fit it or the pastic around bee's peg is conflicting with the head I'm not sure. Does any one have any ideas on what I should do? This is my first attempt at something like this besides a sideswipe repaint so forgive my naivete. If I should shave down the plastic how would I go about doing it? I'm thinking that I should probably shave off around the ball peg because I'm afraid of ruining the socket on soundwave's head. Any advice on this would be great.

You have the right idea with shaving the ball on the head. I'd suggest using some 1000 grit sand paper(automotive type is fine) or using a nail file and then smoothing off with the sand paper. Go slowly and test fit it often, as you can easily sand more and don't want to take off too much. Good luck and have fun customizing

KnightStrike wrote:
You have the right idea with shaving the ball on the head. I'd suggest using some 1000 grit sand paper(automotive type is fine) or using a nail file and then smoothing off with the sand paper. Go slowly and test fit it often, as you can easily sand more and don't want to take off too much. Good luck and have fun customizing

Just a little more info on my problem if that alters the advice at all. My main dillema is the additional plastic on soundwave's head and or the length of the ball peg on bumblebee. I'm stuck between either shaving off plastic around the peg or shaving off plastic on the head. The peg is not static and sits on its own joint that connects it to the body, which I'm afraid will weaken and break if I shave off plastic there. The plastic on the head comes off of the head's ball socket, which I'm afraid I will ruin by shaving around it, making the head useless unless I glue it or something. One thing I noticed between the two figures is that soundwave's head peg is longer than bee's so at one point I thought of cutting them off and gluing them back to the new body. My thinking now is that it would be a drastic step, and I risk irreperably ruining both figures. This idea is actually based off of one I saw on youtube by Gabstaify http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeZo29okh0c only I'm trying to make sure this version can still transform. Can anyone tell what he did to make the head fit? It looks to me that the space between the head torso and peg is larger than it would be unaltered on the same mold but I can't really tell.
Anyway I was just providing some more info on my dillema for anyone who wants to take a crack at it. Thanks for any and all advice.

Hey guys I was browsing for a pin punch online today and came across this tool. I was wondering what you guys think, and if it would be anygood for removing pins instead of the pin punch, hammer method.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Jewelers-Deluxe ... vi-content

hey guys, not sure if this was asked before, but what do you guys think of using nail polish as paints for figures? been experimenting with the idea after finding colors ive been looking for in the polishes that i cant find in normal model paints.

Mindewipe24 wrote:Hey guys I was browsing for a pin punch online today and came across this tool. I was wondering what you guys think, and if it would be anygood for removing pins instead of the pin punch, hammer method.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Jewelers-Deluxe ... vi-content

I'd be curious to try that thing. It looks like it would be pretty handy and reminds me of a drill press. Thanks for the link, I never knew such a tool existed

grimdragon2001 wrote:hey guys, not sure if this was asked before, but what do you guys think of using nail polish as paints for figures? been experimenting with the idea after finding colors ive been looking for in the polishes that i cant find in normal model paints.

I have used clear nail polish to tighten up joints with no issues, but I'm not sure how difficult it would be to get a smooth thin finish with nail polish. If you have some scrap plastic you can give it a shot. I wouldn't think adhesion would be an issue for you either.