Overview:

For the first installment in our repair section we will restore a vintage 1966 Ideal Captain Action that was recovered at a local flee market for $2.00. As you can see from the before picture this guy has had a hard life and is showing his age. Normally I would use a figure in this condition for parts but for our purposes he fits the bill.

Evaluation:

This guy needs a lot of help he is missing both hands, right forearm, and a left foot. He also has a serous hair loss problem and discoloration on his face and neck. His right leg is in good shape with all the joints solid and with no cracks or splits. His left leg is another story the joints are loose and there is a crack in his knee. His bands while clean are extremely loose and this is making it difficult to have him stand without the use of a doll stand.

Planned Repairs:

The captain will be given new hands, right forearm, and a  left leg and foot. We will also give him a new head of hair and tighten his bands.

Tools and supliesList:

The following tools and supplies were used during this project

Parts List:

When restoring a vintage figure you have two choices you can use vintage parts from donor figures, or modern parts.

The following are a few sources for Captain Action  replacement parts:

Vintage Ideal 1966 Captain Action figure - A vintage donor figure is the best source for parts although it is the most expensive solution and hardest to find. If you are trying to restore your figure to original condition it is the only solution.

Playing Mantis Reproduction Caption Action - Almost a dead ringer for all parts, however the color of the plastic and rivets stand out and there is a slight size difference.

Real Heroes "Salute to America" - Good source for hands, rivets, and plug replacement. Arms can be used but they are more suited for a 1960's GIjoe. These are inexpensive figures that cost between 7.99 and 15.00 for a package of two.

Dragon Action Figure - The feet can me modified to fit the captains leg if done right this is not a bad repair in a pinch. With some work and imagination the arms can be modified to fit on the Captain, however this is not the best repair and really it sticks out.

For our demo figure we will be using both original vintage parts as well as parts from a Real Heroes figure.

Step One - Disassemble The captain

As I said the bands on this figure were very loose and they needed to be tightened. Captain Action has two sets of bands that are attached to rivets by means of hooks. The first band which is the smaller of the two hold the arms in place and the second larger band runs from the head to both legs holding the body together.

On our demo figure the small band for the arms was in excellent shape and was not removed but the large set had to be removed for repair. I caught a break when I went to remove the legs they were so loose that they fell off when I pulled on them.

Step Two - Restoring the Head

The face had several dark spots that were removed by using Remove Zit from Twin Pines of  Maine. I used a cheap paint brush and brushed Remove Zit over the stains. According to the instructions I left it on for 24 hours and then washed it off. The stains came out with one application and little effort.

 Next I carefully painted the hair and eye browses with black acrylic paint. I then dabbed red paint on the cheeks and wiped it off giving him a slight blush color.  I mixed up some pink paint and painted the lips, and finally the head was topped it off by spraying a thin coat of gloss acrylic UV sealant.

Step Three -Tighten the bands

The bands on the figure were extremely loose but in good condition. I had three options here, the first was to replace the bands with salvaged vintage bands, use new elastic, or shorten the original bands. I opted to shorten the ones that came with the figure. Shortening bands is a fairly simple process, using a small flat head screw driver loosen one side of the metal clamp (the shorter side). Next use needle nose pliers to open the clamp the rest of the way.  Move the elastic further up the clamp shortening the overall length. Using a pair of pliers crimp the metal clamp back into place. finally repeat the process on the other side of the band. I manage to shorten the bands about a half inch.

Step Four - Restringing the Captain

Making a restringing tool.

Using your wire cutter cut the coat hanger into three pieces and bend them like the ones in the following photos.

Feed one of the restringing tools that has a hook on the end  through the body. Hook the end on the band between the two hoops on to the restring tool. Next feed the band thought the waist out the holes for the legs.

Attach the bands onto the legs using the hooks and suspend the figure using a small vice. Next pull on the body until the band protrudes out of the neck. Feed the restring tool without the hook  through the hoop of the band to hold it in place. Remove the first restring tool that has the hook on it. Finally attach the head using the hook and remove the restring tool

Step Five - Making replacement hands

We will be using the hands and right arm plug from a Real Heroes "Salute to America" action figure. While the body of the figure is a dead ringer for a 1960's GIjoe the hands are copies the 1966 Ideal Captain Action.

To remove the hands you must fist remove the forearm and then you can push the hand out of the socket. To accomplish this you must soak the arm in HOT water and then pull the arm apart.  I recommend you use grill mitts and by all means be careful not  to burn yourself (Kids get mom and dad to help)

Put the forearm back into the hot water and allow it to heat up. Next take it out of the water and use the coat hanger  to push the hand out. This is not an easy task and you may need to put the forearm in a vice and drive a punch into the hole to push out the hand.

Once the hand is free from the donor arm you will need to modify the plug for the Captain's forearm. Using a hobby saw or rotary tool cut plug at the point where ridges start.

File the plug down until it fits snugly in the Captain's forearm using a file or rotary tool. If you take to much off the plug you can wrap plumbers tape around and insert it into the forearm.

Step six - Fixing the Vintage Forearm Bicep

The figure was missing a forearm and part of the old plug was still in the bicep and it had to be removed. To remove an old plug take a 3/4 inch deck screw and put it into the plug about 1/8th inch. Next with a pliers pull the screw out.

I had a spare vintage Captain Action forearm in my parts box but it was missing a plug so I used the elbow plug from the Real Heroes figure.

 To remove the plug from the Real Heroes figure I locked the figures arm in the vice and used a nail punch to knock the rivet out. I then reused the rivet to attach the plug to the Captain Action's forearm. To install the rivet push it into the hole in the forearm through the plug and mash it down with a punch.

The following photo shows both a fully vintage forearm and a repaired forearm. The vintage arm is on the left and the repaired arm is on the right. As you can see if done properly this repair is an excellent solution.

Step Seven - Final Assembly

The forearm and hands are installed and the figure gets one last inspection

I decked him out in a vintage Captain Action costume and he is now ready to defend the world from terrene and oppression.

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