The Energon Pub

After transforming my Screen Battles '08 Camaro Bumblebee, I noticed that his head could support itself as much as a newborn baby's head. I was bummed after spending so much time getting photos together for Seibertron.com during the past few weeks. I decided that I would try something that I've read about so many times by various collectors in the Transformers world ... so I ventured out to Target on Saturday to visit the make-up section to purchase a bottle of clear nail polish. I've read many times over the years that applying this to the ball joints of figures will "fix" loose ball joints.

Once I got home, I applied a couple of coats of the clear nail polish to the ball joint that connects to Bumblebee's head. I also applied some to the inside of Bumblebee's head where the ball joint connects. I let the nail polish dry for about 30 - 60 minutes. I reconnected his head and it was very tight after this easy operation. My Screen Battles Bumblebee's head was perfect now.

I then decided that I would try this to the waist ball joint on all 3 of my Bumblebees. The ball joints on the Cliffjumper version of this mold seems to be fine with the one that I owned. After letting the nail polish dry, I reconnected each half of all 3 Bumblebees and they all work great now.

I know I have some other figures that suffer from the same fate so I will definitely be keeping my bottle of clear nail polish on hand for future "repairs". I just wanted to share this with all of you in case you've run across this problem in the past and weren't sure how to fix this. I know a lot of you are quite handy in the world of fixing figures but I'm a little new to it personally.

I just got some for an identical fix to my Battle-Damaged BB. I'll have to try that today. Thanks.

Clear nail polish is a must have for any Transformer tool box. Ball joints may be great for posibility and acticulation, but it's a double edged sword. Nothing worse than figure thats floppy right out the the package.

just a short q:

how durable is clear nail polish? will it wear out easily?

i'm considering going this route after finding out that my Cyb Hot Shot's groins just won't stop moving like Elvis Pelvis.

any experience with the durability of this joint solution?

In my expierience it's proven to be durable, but I don't transform or move my figures a lot. All the figures I have done this to are still holding strong.

zemper wrote:just a short q:

how durable is clear nail polish? will it wear out easily?

i'm considering going this route after finding out that my Cyb Hot Shot's groins just won't stop moving like Elvis Pelvis.

any experience with the durability of this joint solution?

Unfortunately, for any figure that you'll be *ahem* "playing with" on a regular basis, this will wear off over time. For display purposes, however, it's gold in a bottle.

Strange, I used clear nail polish on my Brimstone's broken arm and it didn't do sh*t.

Also, I felt ridiculous putting nail polish on my toys.

Also, I feel ridiculous talking about it.

The cashier felt ridiculous hearing about it as well.

Skowl wrote:Strange, I used clear nail polish on my Brimstone's broken arm and it didn't do sh*t.

Also, I felt ridiculous putting nail polish on my toys.

Also, I feel ridiculous talking about it.

The cashier felt ridiculous hearing about it as well.

You probably needed to add more than one coat. The first coat that I added with my Screen Battles Bumblebee didn't work either. So I had to add two additional coattings ... 1 to the ball joint again, and then one to the socket on the bottom of his head. Works like a charm now.

No need to feel ridiculous about it ... it is what it is. If you'd rather, you could try using a clear coat of super glue but I'd rather take my chances with nail polish over super glue. I can always apply and remove nail polish. Super glue is a whole other story.

Thax seibs! I'm gonna try this with my bb, what's the best amount to apply?

2nd question: Should you apply the coats to the socket and joint wait then reattach? Or reattach right away?

OptimusPrimeRib wrote:In my expierience it's proven to be durable, but I don't transform or move my figures a lot. All the figures I have done this to are still holding strong.

TFBuyer wrote:

zemper wrote:just a short q:

how durable is clear nail polish? will it wear out easily?

i'm considering going this route after finding out that my Cyb Hot Shot's groins just won't stop moving like Elvis Pelvis.

any experience with the durability of this joint solution?

Unfortunately, for any figure that you'll be *ahem* "playing with" on a regular basis, this will wear off over time. For display purposes, however, it's gold in a bottle.

thanks for the responses.

nope, i don't play much with my toys as i only pose and display them.

if there's any playing to be done usually its in the alt mode, so no danger of balljoints losing their tightness.

also, could some of you guys have an answer th Mr.Bonds' question? i'm also curious on the application amount and method.

Mr.Bond007 wrote:2nd question: Should you apply the coats to the socket and joint wait then reattach? Or reattach right away?

1st question: I think it'll be obvious enough while applying how much to put on. You can only apply so much before it just drips off... Do multiple coats if you need more (apply, let it dry, apply again...)

2nd question: Let it dry before re-attaching.

NotEnoughKibble wrote:

Mr.Bond007 wrote:2nd question: Should you apply the coats to the socket and joint wait then reattach? Or reattach right away?

1st question: I think it'll be obvious enough while applying how much to put on. You can only apply so much before it just drips off... Do multiple coats if you need more (apply, let it dry, apply again...)

2nd question: Let it dry before re-attaching.

thanx I'll have my mom pick some up! BB needs some tighter joints.

Two coats on both sides of the ball joints on BB's head, waist and both hips worked perfectly. The only issue I had was it was next to impossible to get the waist ball joint seated properly again. I had to remove a little bit of the coating on the joint to get it back together again. I think my coats there were a touch too heavy.

that's cool... i'll do that some day too
is there a known way to fix loose figures that don't have ball joints like beast wars megatron or movie blackout ?

Sweet found ths thread again, anyhoo I tried it on bb and his joints are now nice and tight thanks to all!

Clear nail polish works great so does clear top coat hardener. I prefer the hardener because it lasts longer.