Forum for Geeks

I recently visited my mom and got all of my GI Joes out of the attic. Unfortunately, the O ring in the middle has dry rotted on most of them. Should I repair them? Ebay them as is? Landfill?

Anybody done this? Are the screws in the back usually stuck or do they come out with not too much effort?

(I realize I can google the last part there, but want real opinions from peeps I trust)

You can use rubber bands. I did that when I was a kid and the O-Ring broke.

Definitely replace them. It's quite easy to just remove the screw and take the figures apart. Sometimes it's tougher if they're badly rusted or something, but typically it's pretty easy. I've replaced most of my original figure o-rings, and the figures are good as new.

You can get o-rings in the plumbing section of Lowe's/Home Depot. I think size #8 is my favorite for Joes. They cost about a dime each. If you need lots of them, there are some ebay merchants that sell packs of 100 for around $6.

You can definitely get more for them on ebay if they are fixed, and they bring more if you can find as many of the accessories as possible. If you can't remember which guns go with which figure, the database on yojoe.com is pretty comprehensive. If you don't want to bother with any of that, just pile it up and sell it as a parts lot. You won't get as much as selling individual figures, but parts lots will definitely sell.

Hmmm, I didn't even think about that little rubber band deteriorating, I will need to check out my guys!

Thanks for the good advice Nacho!!

-D!

Another trick, if you have loose joints, paint a little matte finish clear acrylic on them. Let it get in the cracks and dry. The joints will hold poses and still be smooth. Some people use crazy glue for the same purpose, but it makes the joints rougher and leaves an ugly chalky residue. I much prefer the dull clear acrylic (available at any hobby store).

I know when a rubber band needs repair when i look at the shelf and i see legs standing with no torso.

I've done many a Joe surgery in my time.