Hi all, First post here..

[Abraxxus]

Hello all! I was a big fan of G.I.Joe back in the 80's and have managed to hang on to almost all the toys I had gotten back then. I have most of the accessories to the figures I have, and the vehicles are in pretty good shape (mostly) but now to my dilemna...

The past few months I've been restoring my old joes, replacing missing items and such, and thanks to this forum I learned the hydrogen peroxide trick to restoring some yellowed discoloration.

My question is, the front torso of my 1985 Spirit has turned a tannish-green color. Is there any method of restoring it back to blue? Peroxide didnt work, and I saw someone mention trying to soak it in bleach on another site (the bleach idea kinda scares me). Anyone have any ideas to try? or would it be better to just purchase a torso that hasn't discolored?

[youdoitimbusy]

welcome to the tank! I have no friggin clue how to help you, but if you need a thread derailed or some witty banter im your guy.

[Dropkick]

Hey there, welcome to HissTank.

[ero]

Welcome to the Tank!

My understanding is peroxide only works on hard, white plastic.

I think paint is your best bet, although I highly recommend you leave 'em be. Just clean up what you can, replace the o-rings and enjoy the fact that you still have your childhood toys. That's awesome.

[zartan80]

Welcome!

[uberthawk]

between this site, yojoe.com and markB's book u should become a highly enlightened joe collector...good luck on your quest.

[YoJoeCereal]

You could just paint the sleeves to match the torso....

[Odinsdad]

I told my dentist my teeth were getting yellow. He told me to wear a brown tie.

[Headman]

Best thread ever!

[Joe Fan 1]

Welcome to the Tank! Wish I had an answer to your question. My best advice would be to replace the torso with another Spirit's torso, or to paint it. Personally, I would leave it alone if it were me, but that's my opinion.

[RockColdSlither]

Welcome

[Havok]

You never want to use peroxide on painted plastic as it will cause the paint to come off. Your best bet now is to read up on the customizing section of the forum to paint him back to your desired color. Good luck

[BUGG]

thanks to this forum I learned the hydrogen peroxide trick to restoring some yellowed discoloration.

My question is, the front torso of my 1985 Spirit has turned a tannish-green color. Is there any method of restoring it back to blue?

Be careful with the peroxide it can/will also remove UV damaged paint.

This is the purest technique I have come up with for dealing with this color.
Assuming you do not have a map gas bunson, get a cheap lighter with an adjustment dial remove the metal collar from the lighter and adjust the dial so that the flame gets stupid big. now you will want to use the heat from the flame to >>>heat up the plastic<<<, warmer than warm to the touch. Don't let the flame get any closer than 3/8th's of an inch to the surface. If you burn or melt the suface of the piece you fail. Doing this properly will prep the surface of the plastic to allow the Peroxide to work it's magic. The surface of the plastic will be slightly less inclined to bead water, so water will tend to smear on the surface (hard for someone with no experience to recognize). Do this at your own risk, exercise caution that you do not melt the lighter you are using, and do not burn yourself or worse cause the lighter to explode making you look like CC.

These are chemist techniques, practiced by someone with a good education. Anyone that needs to be wearing a sign have an adult assist you in attempting this otherwise say hi to Brittany Murphy for me. Thanks and good luck.

If successful it is easier to repaint the stuff on his chest and have it look good then vice versa, worst case scenario just get a replacement part. . . again good luck!

[Joker]

Welcome! One idea might be to replace the torso piece. There are a few sites that sell arah joe parts as well as EBAY where you might get lucky.

Good luck!

[jogunwarrior]

I would just replace the torso peice, that'll be easier than painting. I've had several Spirit figures come through my hands and they've all been discolored similar to what you are describing. I've ended up scrapping them all for custom parts. Because of this, I actually do not have a mint complete spirit.

[Abraxxus]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I've decided to just leave Spirit be for now. Though I an going to attend the New Jersey Collectors Convention next month since I live about 2 hours from the location. If I come across a non-discolored torso, I'll pick it up.