We’re tackling a common issue that’s been haunting vintage Masters of the Universe (MOTU) figures: the infamous perishing rubber leg bands. You know the struggle – wobbly legs, figures doing the splits when they should be striking heroic poses – it’s a toy collector’s nightmare! I’m going to use Mer-man to demonstrate this quick fix.
Steps to replacing the leg bands on Masters of the Universe (MOTU) figures
Materials Needed:
- He-Bands (specifically designed for Masters of the Universe figures, available on eBay)
- A pot of boiling water
- Surgical locking grippers (or needle-nose pliers)
- A piece of string (thin enough to thread through the figure’s leg holes)
- Towel (for handling the figure after being in boiling water)
Step 1: Preparing the Figure
Begin by boiling a pot of water. Once boiling, turn off the heat. You’ll use this water to soften the plastic legs of your Masters of the Universe figure, making it easier to remove the old leg connectors. Submerge the figure’s legs in the hot water for about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Carefully remove the figure using a towel to avoid burns.
Step 2: Removing Old Connectors
After softening, gently pull the legs apart to expose and remove the old, deteriorated leg connectors. These may break apart due to their aged condition, so proceed with caution to avoid damaging the figure.
Step 3: Preparing the He-Band
Take a new He-Band and tie a loop at one end. Attach the piece of string to this loop. This string will help you thread the He-Band through the figure’s groin area.
Step 4: Threading the He-Band
Carefully thread the string (with the He-Band attached) through the groin area of the figure. This might be a bit tricky due to the size of the holes compared to the He-Band. Patience and steady hands are crucial here. Once the He-Band is through, remove the string and ensure the band is positioned correctly inside the figure’s body.
Step 5: Reattaching the Legs
Using surgical locking grippers or needle-nose pliers, grab each end of the He-Band and attach it to the legs. This can be challenging and may require some maneuvering to get the He-Band into the right position. Once attached, test the tension by gently pulling on the legs to ensure they’re secure and the He-Band is not at risk of snapping.
Step 6: Final Adjustments
With the legs reattached, make any final adjustments to ensure the figure stands upright and the He-Band is not overly strained. The figure should now be able to stand on its own, with improved structural integrity and a fresh lease on life.
Conclusion:
Congratulations! You’ve successfully rejuvenated your Masters of the Universe figure using the He-Band replacement method. This technique restores the figure’s original functionality and appearance, allowing it to stand tall among your collection. Remember, this method is applicable to various characters within the series, making it a versatile solution for action figure restoration enthusiasts.
Mer-man Vintage Figure
You know, Mer-man from the vintage cartoon was always a character I had a soft spot for, but if I’m being honest, his toy didn’t quite hit the mark for me. The head he rocked looked nothing like his early mini-comic appearance or the version from the Filmation cartoon. Not that it’s a terrible figure, mind you, but I personally prefer the head sculpt that ended up on Stinkor.
And let’s talk about that armor – what’s with the goofy bow at the bottom? It’s like he’s trying to win a fashion contest in Eternia. To me, he was like the Ocean’s version of Beastman, with his fish-controlling powers that could give Aquaman a run for his money.
One thing I can give Merman credit for is that he’s the only one rocking that specific armor and sword combo. Back in the early days of Masters, unique accessories were as rare as a dragon’s tooth, so props to Merman for standing out.
Fun fact – Merman’s body is actually recycled from Skeletor, and as I mentioned before, that head of his found a second home on Stinkor. It’s like the Masters of the Universe were having a swap party with body parts.
Mer-man’s back story
Splashin’ in from the Crystal Sea, we’ve got Mer-Man, the aquatic warlord extraordinaire serving under the Skeletor brand. Now, this fishy fellow didn’t just sit around at Snake Mountain reporting to Skeletor – oh no, he had his own underwater lair in the depths of the seas. Mer-Man was like the Aquaman of evil, doing his own thing and cooking up waterlogged schemes.
What made him a real catch (pun intended) was his telepathic mojo. Yeah, this guy could chat it up with other sea creatures like they were his underwater BFFs. Imagine having a school of fish as your personal army – Mer-Man didn’t need an Evil Warriors group chat for that!
And let’s not forget his aquatic henchmen, the unsung heroes of the deep. These underwater sidekicks weren’t just there for show; they were the foot soldiers, the loyal minions of Mer-Man, ready to make a splash at his command.
So, while Skeletor was busy scheming up on Snake Mountain, Mer-Man was orchestrating his own underwater symphony of villainy. A fishy warlord with a flair for independence – now that’s what I call making waves in the world of evil!