Lack of friction causes looseness. For example, if the ball in a ball-and-socket joint is even slightly too small there might not be enough friction to hold the joint in place.
Commonly this is caused by the wearing down of plastic in the joint due to years of playing/posing; however, more and more action figures seem to have numerous floppy joints right out of the box.
Fortunately, you don’t have to go out rebuying half (or more) of your collection! There are numerous non-evasive and easy fixes for loose joints (regardless of the type of joint). Some of these fixes can take as little as fifteen minutes. You’ll want to read through all the options. While some are completely safe others could damage your figure if done improperly.
Make Sure No Screws Are Loose?
Before you do anything more than necessary you might want to tighten all of the figures screws. Especially in the case of figures that are loose right out of the package, the solution might be as simple as just tightening a few screws. In most cases this won’t be enough, but if you have some screwdrivers on hand it’s definitely worth a try.
Glues and Other “Solutions” to Fix Loose Joints
Super Glue
One of the most commonly known and popular solutions is super glue. This is not brand specific as many different companies such as Loctite, Bob Smith Industries, and Gorilla Glue produce their own super glues making Super Glue a very accessible option.
Fortunately, Super Glue dries very quickly – sometimes within ten minutes. This is one of its main appeals. Other options can take from thirty minutes to an hour and sometimes to over twenty-four hours to fully dry. As the name would imply, Super Glue is also super strong in comparison so it will likely require fewer applications for the desired tightness.
However, this is also one of its main drawbacks. The quick drying process leaves little room for error, and the power of Super Glue means that any errors are going to be major errors.
How it Works
Be sure to apply the smallest dab possible to the joint. Then move the joint around to work it in evenly. If you think you didn’t get enough coverage don’t panic or become impatient. Let the drying process finish. A little super glue can go a long way.
It might turn out that it’s not enough. That’s okay. Simply apply another tiny dab and work it in. You can repeat this process as many times as needed.
Applying too much Super Glue at once is the quickest way to ruin your figure by causing the joint to be locked.
After applying the tiny dab be sure to keep the joint active. You cannot simply apply Super Glue and then allow the figure to sit until it dries. You’ll end up with a locked joint. Once the glue is applied you want to continually move the joint to prevent it from locking into one place.
Even getting up to grab a snack or taking a trip to the bathroom might be enough time for your figure’s joints to be ruined. Therefore, it might be good to have a movie or YouTube videos ready to watch as you passively fidget with the figure during the drying process. This is especially the case if you’re looking to repair multiple joints or multiple figures. You’re going to be going back and forth between applying glue and then repeatedly moving the joint for ten to thirty minutes.
Super Glue dries clear and shouldn’t leave any residue.
While any brand can work, it can’t hurt to be selective. Brands such as Gorilla Glue and Bob Smith Industries are very powerful. Not only might they be far more than you need, they might actually increase the risk of locking your joints. Loctite and The Original Super Glue might be better (and cheaper) alternatives.
Pledge Floor Care
Perhaps the descriptions of Super Glue have terrified you. Maybe you don’t want to risk destroying your figure, or maybe you don’t want to sit there fidgeting with joints through the drying process.
Don’t give up on joint repair just yet! There are many alternatives! Pledge Floor Care Finish is an alternative for the more risk averse and those with less time to sit rotating each joint.
Years ago people found that this product made for improving the look of kitchen floors is actually perfect for repair of action figure joints. It’s long been a popular option. Be sure, however, to purchase the Finish and not the Cleaner! Also make sure not to get the wood gloss (which uses an animal fat base instead of acrylic).
Pledge Floor Finish Gloss 27 Oz (Amazon)
Sometimes a cue tip might be too big for what you need. A toothpick could work in these cases.
Dab the cue tip into the solution and then apply it to the joint. In the case of a ball-and-socket you could detach the joint before application but this isn’t needed. Simply apply the solution to the visible part of the joint and then move the joint in all possible directions to get an even distribution.
If you want to make sure the solution gets into the joint but you don’t want to remove the joint you can use an eye dropper and drip the solution into the crevasse.
If the solution leaks onto other parts of the figure simply use a tissue and wipe it away.
The Pledge drying process is much simpler than the Super Glue process. No joint movement during drying is required. Simply set the figure aside and let it dry. It will take a while. Full drying can take twenty-four or more hours.
This is not ideal if you’re looking to quickly fix a figure, but if you have some time and some patience, it can be a good solution. Also, because you won’t have to be super attentive to the figure as the Pledge dries, you can go through this process with multiple figures and simply let them all sit for a day or so until they’re all dry.
While there is virtually no risk of Pledge locking your figure there are some potential drawbacks. Some might find the extra drying time to be a hassle. Though less risky, it is also not guaranteed to fix your figure after a single use.
Some have also reported visible residue left behind. This can be extra problematic if some of the Pledge leaked outside of the joint. There are ways to remove and clean the residue but it adds an extra step to the process.
Many buyers have noted lack of availability throughout the years. While it’s on the market again there was a time (around 2019) when Pledge seemingly discontinued the product. They had developed an alternative, but the formula didn’t work as well. Fortunately Pledge Floor Care Finish seems to be back in its original formulation, but who’s to say if it could disappear again.
Using Nail Polish to Tighten Action Figure Joints
If using floor cleaner on your action figures seemed odd then using nail polish might seem downright blasphemous. Actually, nail polish is a quite common option.
There are some considerations before using. Obviously, there’s more variety with nail polish then with Super Glue or Pledge Floor Care. If your child’s figure is very loose, and you just need a quick fix then any nail polish you have lying around will do the job. But purple nail polish is going to clash with a yellow figure’s color scheme. And it might smell pretty potent too.
As a collector you’re going to want clear, non-gloss (matte) and odorless nail polish. The brand isn’t important.
Most often nail polish is recommended for ball-and-socket joints. Remove the ball from the socket and apply nail polish with the brush attached to the lid. Don’t go over the top with coating the joint. You can always apply additional layers if needed.
Wait for the polish to dry. The exact drying time can vary depending on the specific polish, but at least wait ten minutes.
Attach the joint and test the tightness. Repeat the process if necessary.
While not as common, nail polish can be applied to other types of joints. In these cases you won’t be disconnecting the joint. Apply polish to the visible part of the joint and move it around to work it in. Continue to move the joint through the drying process. Locking the joint isn’t as much of a concern as with Super Glue, but you still should try to avoid that if you can.
Nail Polish is generally easy to apply, quick to dry, affordable and accessible; but it has drawbacks. Chipping and flaking of nail polish is reported more often than with any other solution. Generally, it’s the least permanent and requires the most re-applications. Furthermore, you will probably need to apply it multiple times, as nail polish isn’t nearly as powerful as something like Super Glue.
Mod Podge
Mod Podge might be a nice alternative for those who don’t want to use floor cleaner or nail polish on their figures. Established in 1967, Mod Podge is designed specifically for arts and crafts. There are many variants of Mod Podge. Generally you’ll want the “Matte” finish.
Use a brush or cue tip for application. Mod Podge goes on white and dries clear. It might look globby and messy upon application but after drying it shouldn’t be noticeable. If you accidentally use too much or get it outside of the joint then just use a tissue or paper towel to wipe the excess away.
After applying, simply move the joint around to work in the Mod Podge. Don’t worry about continuously moving the joint through the drying process. Mod Podge works more like a sealer then like glue so there isn’t a risk of the joint locking.
Like Pledge Floor Cleaner, Mod Podge takes longer to fully dry. Most people recommend giving it twenty-four hours. Generally it takes at least two applications to get the desired tightness.
Compared to Pledge Floor Cleaner, Mod Podge is less messy but also less versatile. Being that Pledge Floor Cleaner is a liquid, an eye dropper can be used to get it into harder to reach spots. This can’t be done with Mod Podge, however, you also don’t have the mess that is caused by liquid leaking all over the figure.
Mod Podge CS11302 Waterbase Sealer, Glue and Finish (Amazon)
Kiki Loose Joints
Kiki Loose Joints is the newest product here and the only one made specifically for action figure joints. For many, Kiki seems to work where other products don’t and is a nice balance of the good qualities of the other products.
Apply Kiki to joints via the applicator attached to the bottle. Move around the joints to work it in. There is no need to repeatedly move the joints throughout the drying process. Kiki will not lock joints like Super Glue. Kiki goes on white/gray but dries clear.
Many find that ten to fifteen minutes of drying works; however, the instructions recommend a full day. In most cases at least two applications will be necessary.
The substance is a very thick liquid. If the applicator is angled properly the liquid can leak down into the hard to reach places of the joint.
kiki fix Loose Joints (Amazon)
None of these solutions are guaranteed to fix joints for the rest of a figure’s life. Years later re-applications may be necessary.
Non-permanent and Quick Options
Adding some kind of glue or chemical might not be for you. Maybe the process is too messy, maybe you don’t like the idea of making permanent changes to your figures, maybe it’s too time consuming or maybe you don’t have any of the materials on hand. Luckily, there are other, surprisingly simple options.
Paper Towels
This option won’t work for all types of joints but is effective in dealing with ball-and-socket joints and swivel joints. It is also a very quick, cost-effective fix that anyone can do. All you need is a very tiny bit of paper towel. Here are the steps:
- Remove the joint that is loose
- Apply a fitting amount of paper towel in the socket
- Re-attach the joint
- If desired tightness isn’t reached, remove the joint again and remove the paper towel. Add a new piece of paper towel that is folded to be thicker and apply more friction.
This can be a very nice and quick solution or very insufficient depending on what you’re looking for. The biggest drawback will be the visibility of the paper towel.
For a child’s figure this can be effective. It can also work well if the figure is almost always displayed in a single position where it won’t be moved to positions where the paper is more visible. Some joints may naturally be very covered due to the figure’s design making the paper undetectable.
Another drawback however is that it is very far from a permanent solution. If the joint is removed the paper will fall out and must be repositioned.
Also, if the paper towel is unevenly distributed in the socket then it could lead to the joint having uneven looseness and tightness.
Quick Size Paper Towels (Amazon)
Rubber Bands can be another great inexpensive, noninvasive and quick option. You want to use flat tiny rubber bands. Getting a variety pack with multiple colors is ideal so you can pick a rubber band that is at least somewhat close to the color of the plastic.
Let’s say this is a shoulder you want to tighten. Slide the arm through the rubber band and then twist the rubber band around the arm until it is somewhat tight. Then slide the rubber band from the arm and into the socket. You may need to use a toothpick to get the rubber band positioned entirely in the socket.
You might break some rubber bands along the way. That’s okay. It can be a bit tricky to get the process down the first few times. Basically, you want the rubber band to be tight enough once it makes its way to the socket.
If the joint isn’t tight enough, repeat the process and add a second rubber band.
Like with the paper towel, this will not work for all joints. It also might not be desirable for perfectionists as even a well-hidden rubber band will be visible on closer inspection.
Multicolor Rubber Bands (Amazon)
Reselling Repaired Action Figures
Be aware that any modifications will devalue your figure’s resale value. When selling your figures, always make your potential buyers aware of any changes made to the figure (even if you think you’ve changed it for the better).
Final Thoughts
There are plenty of options for returning tightness to your action figure’s joints. With enough applications you could end up with stiffer joints then the figure had on purchase. Over time the joints may deteriorate again, but you can always treat them again.
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