The Energon Pub

News Credits: 16 · Mon Jun 18, 2012 8:10 pm

This thing looks awful. What do you guys think?

News Credits: 226 · Mon Jun 18, 2012 8:30 pm

Hard to tell what condition the main body is in, but I see it as a fun project.

Mon Jun 18, 2012 8:36 pm

It Is Him wrote:This thing looks awful. What do you guys think?

Ewww. Is that mold?

The paper's done. The figure itself will probably be fine once you clean it. As it appears to have been exposed to moisture, there may be steel rivets or screws that are rusty. You might be able to find replacements for the screws. Rivets you'd probably have to live with.

As for cleaning, try to stick to water. A can of compressed air (used for cleaning electronics) may come in handy. If there are any tough spots, you can try a sparing application of Krud Kutter. Dilute it and use a Q-Tip.

You could probably even salvage the styrofoam if you clean it with a bleach-based cleaner. Just let it dry really well (that is, until the bleach smell is completely gone).

Mon Jun 18, 2012 8:44 pm

I'd definitely give it a try. I think he'll clean up just fine. His chrome looks to be in great shape too. Aside from the mould of course. I bet he'll have stiff joints and be like bran new when your done.

I notice there are no stickers on it aswell. Are they still in the bag underneath the instructions?

News Credits: 101 · Mon Jun 18, 2012 8:52 pm

It Is Him wrote:This thing looks awful. What do you guys think?

Please answer this: Is it yours and you have it in hand? If yes, where and how did you find it?

If you don't have him, is that a random image found on google? Is it a Ebay item you are watching?

News Credits: 16 · Mon Jun 18, 2012 9:36 pm

Thanks for the tips. I'm going to try to negotiate with the seller based on your feedback, and try to explain what fixing it up will entail on my part. It might be a good project.

monstergrotusque wrote:I'd definitely give it a try. I think he'll clean up just fine. His chrome looks to be in great shape too. Aside from the mould of course. I bet he'll have stiff joints and be like bran new when your done.

I notice there are no stickers on it aswell. Are they still in the bag underneath the instructions?

The listing says the bag cannot be opened for one reason or another.

Burn wrote:Hard to tell what condition the main body is in, but I see it as a fun project.

That's a big concern. I doubt the guy will let me transform it before I buy it.

News Credits: 226 · Mon Jun 18, 2012 9:39 pm

Given the condition and the fact he won't let you transform it first, plus the price of a reissue, I wouldn't offer him any more than $20.

News Credits: 16 · Mon Jun 18, 2012 10:25 pm

The tough part is going to be explaining that to him.

News Credits: 226 · Mon Jun 18, 2012 10:49 pm

Is he a fellow collector/fan or someone who is of the "lulz ... Transformers are popular, I can get lotz of moniez for dis!" mindset?

He's deluded if he thinks he's going to get big money for it. Given the time and effort required to restore it (plus you may need to replace some of the add-on parts) he can't expect too much money when you can go out and get a minty re-issue for a few more dollars and save yourself a lot of time and hassle.

News Credits: 60 · Tue Jun 19, 2012 12:30 am

If you do get it, use a lint free cloth and some Pledge to liven up the chrome. For his die cast, I suggest using Johnson and Johnson Glo to liven up the corroded parts.

Btw, how'd it get to be like that? A fire? Water damage?

News Credits: 1 · Tue Jun 19, 2012 4:32 am

It's difficult to tell from the picture, but apart from the obvious mold I don't think Megs looks to bad. Provided the seller isn't asking stupid money for him, I'd say he's got to be worth a punt.

Tue Jun 19, 2012 7:27 am

Looks good for the right price. What's he asking, anyway?

News Credits: 16 · Tue Jun 19, 2012 8:54 am

He's asking a $100 firm. I sent him a long e-mail explaining all my concerns with bullet points, and I tried to be as nice as possible, but we'll have to see what he says after that. I also haven't made an offer yet. I thought if I could educate him on the product, he might be more willing to come down to something reasonable.

fenrir72 wrote:If you do get it, use a lint free cloth and some Pledge to liven up the chrome. For his die cast, I suggest using Johnson and Johnson Glo to liven up the corroded parts.

Btw, how'd it get to be like that? A fire? Water damage?

Wait... there's a difference between chrome and die-cast? I thought they were the same thing :BOOM:

Roof of home collapsed after the original owner died. Sat in a shack facing the elements for five years. I think the item is located out in farmland area, so the story doesn't surprise me. I just moved to a new town, so I'm still getting a feel for things. Mostly everywhere here seems very southern.

Tue Jun 19, 2012 8:57 am

Yikes, $100?? That's WAY too much for something in that condition, especially not knowing how the innards are. He'll never sell it for that much.

News Credits: 241 · Tue Jun 19, 2012 9:50 am

It Is Him wrote:Wait... there's a difference between chrome and die-cast? I thought they were the same thing

Nope, die cast metal parts are purely metal, while "chrome" parts are just plastic pieces with a thin layer of metal on it. Simply put, vacuum-metalised and chrome have the same base meaning. :-B

Ever seen one of those shows about pawn shops, like Pawn Stars? Most of the time, customers ask way too much for the items they bring in, no matter the condition, only for the shop owner to offer way less. Some firmly believe in the "value" of their item they won't let go of it. Baka... :roll:

He's one of those customers, so not really worth your time unless he accepts $10.

News Credits: 20 · Tue Jun 19, 2012 12:58 pm

It looks like a restoration is pretty doable. It would likely require complete disassembly and cleaning but it looks entirely possible. The paperwork does look toast though. For the work involved and cost, a reissue is likely your better option. If you've got no issue with the amount of work involved and using Reprolabels, talk the guy down. Like I said, looks doable. Just time-consuming. Good luck bud.

News Credits: 7 · Tue Jun 19, 2012 3:01 pm

Depends on how much you can negotiate it down, I think it may worth a shot. But I wouldn't buy it for more than 30-40$.

News Credits: 3 · Tue Jun 19, 2012 4:02 pm

I probably wouldn't pay more than $25 for it, myself. For $100 you could get a re-issue in minty condition. I got a used re-issue in fine shape at BotCon last year for $60. Problem was it came from a smoker's collection. But after 6 months or so had passed, you can't smell the smoke anymore. This thing looks in far worse shape than being in a smokey environment.

News Credits: 101 · Tue Jun 19, 2012 4:21 pm

!00$?!

Hahaha! Oh wow!

Just tell him to take his chances on Ebay and get yourself a better Megs with that money.

News Credits: 226 · Tue Jun 19, 2012 4:49 pm

It Is Him wrote:He's asking a $100 firm.

Darryl Kerrigan wrote:Tell 'im he's dreamin'

News Credits: 60 · Tue Jun 19, 2012 6:18 pm

Ms JZGR is right (thanks for the assist btw)

The chrome on Megs is plated on the pvc plastic. Try using Glo on it and you effectively transform him into a chromeless "Takara" vintage :lol:

Just use it on his metal parts ( the inner thighs and his shoulder/spine and foot parts.)

And the price being offered is too high unless this Megs is the working 1st run release (the ones with a firing mechanism iirc)

News Credits: 3 · Tue Jun 19, 2012 6:41 pm

The re-issues fire as well. I know some prefer the old ones because they're old or whatever, but for the same money, I'd rather have a minty new one than a crusty old one than needs salvaging.

News Credits: 16 · Tue Jun 19, 2012 7:25 pm

The seller hasn't responded to my e-mail this morning. I'll give him some more time before sending out another one.

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:
It Is Him wrote:Wait... there's a difference between chrome and die-cast? I thought they were the same thing

Nope, die cast metal parts are purely metal, while "chrome" parts are just plastic pieces with a thin layer of metal on it. Simply put, vacuum-metalised and chrome have the same base meaning.

OK. Gotcha.

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:Ever seen one of those shows about pawn shops, like Pawn Stars? Most of the time, customers ask way too much for the items they bring in, no matter the condition, only for the shop owner to offer way less. Some firmly believe in the "value" of their item they won't let go of it. Baka...

He's one of those customers, so not really worth your time unless he accepts $10.

I've watched a ton of Pawn Stars on Netflix. So yeah, that's exactly the situation I'm in. The seller wants more for it than anyone would be willing to pay.

Flux Convoy wrote:It looks like a restoration is pretty doable. It would likely require complete disassembly and cleaning but it looks entirely possible. The paperwork does look toast though. For the work involved and cost, a reissue is likely your better option. If you've got no issue with the amount of work involved and using Reprolabels, talk the guy down. Like I said, looks doable. Just time-consuming. Good luck bud.

Thanks man. Not only do I have the TFC reissue, but I have my childhood original as well. This is not something I'd loose sleep over. I think it would make for a fun project. If I end up getting it and keeping it, it could look good on display in the box next to my boxed Metroplex. Granted, it would still need a box...