Omar Khalid
Bending and warping of plastic miniatures can occur when the plastic is removed from the model mould too early. Luckily, there are several ways to straighten them. One way is to use hot water. You can submerge the warped base into hot water for about seven seconds, then quickly and firmly press it down on a solid surface. You can also use a hair dryer on high until the piece starts to flex, then bend it back into shape.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tools | Stove, small pot, bowl of hot water, bowl of cold water, grabbing instrument (e.g. fork), kitchen towel or tissue, hair dryer |
| Procedure | Submerge the miniature in hot water for 7 seconds, then quickly press it down on a solid surface while pulling up on the miniature's torso. Hold for 5-7 seconds. Repeat as necessary. Alternatively, use a hair dryer on high until the piece is flexible, then bend back into shape. |
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What You'll Learn
Use hot water
To straighten plastic miniatures with hot water, you will need two bowls, one filled with hot water and the other with cold water, a grabbing tool (such as a fork), and a kitchen towel or tissue.
First, fill one bowl with hot water from a kettle. If you are straightening a small piece, like a weapon, you can dip it into the water while holding the bottom of the miniature. For larger pieces, you will need to fully submerge the model in the water. Be careful not to drop the miniature, as this could cause splashing. Leave the miniature in the water for 30 seconds to a minute. Thicker miniatures will take longer to become pliable.
Once the time has passed, remove the miniature from the hot water using your grabbing tool. Be careful not to touch the water, as it will be very hot. Place the miniature on a kitchen towel or tissue to absorb any excess water.
Now, you can begin straightening the miniature. Manipulate the plastic while it is still warm to get it into the desired shape. If you are straightening a weapon, you can bend it back into shape as needed.
Finally, dip the miniature in room-temperature water to help it set in its new shape. Be careful not to burn yourself on the hot water or steam.
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Use a hair dryer
Using a hair dryer is a common technique for straightening plastic miniatures. The hair dryer is used to heat the plastic to a pliable state, after which the figure can be adjusted to the desired shape. The figure is then held in place until the plastic cools and hardens, locking in the new shape.
To use this method, set your hair dryer to a high setting and apply heat to the miniature until the plastic becomes flexible. Be careful not to overheat the plastic, as it can melt. It is important to move the hair dryer back and forth, similar to when drying hair, to avoid concentrating heat in one area for too long, which can cause the plastic to catch on fire.
Once the plastic is pliable, carefully bend the piece back to the correct position. You may want to wear gloves to protect your fingers from the heat. After adjusting the figure, quickly run cold water over it or dip it into a bowl of ice water to set the new shape in place.
Using a hair dryer is a convenient method for straightening plastic miniatures, as it is a tool that is readily available in most households. However, it may not be as precise as other methods, such as using a heat gun or boiling water, and there is a risk of overheating the plastic if not careful.
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Dip into boiling water
To straighten plastic miniatures with hot water, you will need a stove, a small pot, and water. You may also want to have a pair of thick gloves to protect your hands during the process. First, fill the pot with water and set it to boil. When small bubbles start to form but before the water reaches a rolling boil, you can carefully dip the miniature into the water. Leave the miniature in the water for a few seconds—larger or thicker pieces may need to be submerged for up to a minute. Then, remove the miniature from the water and shape it to the desired position. If you need to flatten a part of the miniature, hold it against a flat surface and apply slight pressure. Finally, dip the miniature in room-temperature water to help it set in its new shape. Be careful not to burn yourself during this process, and if you drop the miniature into the boiling water, remove it from the pot immediately and place it in cold water to prevent melting.
The hot water method is a quick and easy way to fix warped or bent plastic miniatures. Bending and warping often occur when the plastic is removed from the model mold too early and meets cool air, causing the plastic to contract and warp. By dipping the miniature into hot water, you can soften the plastic and manipulate it into the desired shape. This process can be repeated multiple times until you achieve the desired result.
It is important to note that the hot water method is not suitable for metal miniatures. Metal miniatures can be more difficult to straighten, and it is recommended to gently bend the piece back into place, avoiding quick or back-and-forth movements to prevent accidental breakage.
Some people also prefer to use a hair dryer on its highest setting to heat the plastic and shape it, similar to the hot water method. This method allows you to manipulate the plastic while it is heating up, giving you more control over the process.
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Flatten against a table
To straighten plastic miniatures by flattening them against a table, follow these steps:
First, prepare a bowl of hot water. The water should be almost boiling. You can use a small pot on your stove to heat the water. Be careful when handling the hot water to avoid spills and burns. It is recommended to wear thick gloves if you have sensitive hands.
Next, submerge the warped or bent part of the miniature into the hot water. The time required for soaking depends on the thickness of the miniature. For thinner pieces, 3 to 5 seconds may be sufficient. For thicker parts, such as the base, leave it in the water for about 7 seconds to soften the material.
Once the plastic becomes pliable, remove it from the water. Use a grabbing instrument like a fork or tongs to take it out, being careful not to touch the hot water. You can also use gloves if you have them.
Quickly place the miniature on a flat surface, such as a table, and press down slightly to flatten it. You can also use a solid, flat object like a book or a plate to apply pressure and help straighten the miniature. Pull the miniature in the necessary direction to straighten it, applying just enough pressure to make it straight. This process may need to be repeated a few times for severely warped pieces.
Finally, allow the miniature to cool and harden. You can speed up the cooling process by using a kitchen towel or tissue to absorb excess water. The miniature will now be straightened and ready for use.
This method works because the hot water relaxes the tension in the plastic caused by early removal from the model mold during the manufacturing process. By applying heat and then quickly flattening the miniature, you can easily straighten it without causing any damage.
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Use a grabbing instrument
Using a grabbing instrument is the final step in the process of straightening plastic miniatures with hot water. First, fill a pot or bowl with hot water—being careful not to burn yourself—and submerge the miniature in it for around 30 seconds to a minute. The thicker the miniature, the longer you should leave it to heat to the core.
Once the plastic is soft, you can use your grabbing instrument to fish out the model, being careful not to touch the hot water. A grabbing instrument can be anything from a pair of thick gloves to a clean fork. Drop the miniature onto a kitchen towel or tissue to soak up the excess water.
Now that the model is pliable, you can straighten or bend it as needed. If you need to get something flat, hold it against a flat surface and push down slightly. You can repeat this process multiple times until you get the desired effect.
Finally, dip the miniature in room-temperature water to help it set.
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Frequently asked questions
You can straighten plastic miniatures with the help of some almost-boiling water. Submerge the warped base into the hot water just past the point that is bent. Then, quickly and firmly press it down on a solid surface. You can also use a hairdryer on high for a few seconds and bend the piece back.
The thicker the miniature, the longer it will take for it to become bendy. For a miniature with a warped base, dip it in hot water for about seven seconds. For larger pieces, submerge the model in water for 30 seconds to a minute.
After removing the miniature from the hot water, quickly press it down on a flat surface like a table and hold it there for five to seven seconds. Then, dip it in room-temperature water to help it set.
