Raising the Defiant!

[Eternal Collector]

Hey all! My name is Frank and I have been a lurker on here for a long time. I also have my own site www.eternalcollector.com.
Anyway, I just got my hands on a Defiant in pretty good condition for a decent price. This needs some work. Colors are ok, but man is it DIRTY!! It is also missing some parts. I took it completely apart and am getting ready to restore this bad boy to its former glory. I think it would be a fun project. I was also one of these collectors that thought this had no place in the GI Joe universe. As a playset, its a great piece.
I will be coming back to ask you guys for some tips. :)

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c10/eternalcollector/defiant01.jpg
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c10/eternalcollector/defiant02.jpg
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c10/eternalcollector/defiant03.jpg
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c10/eternalcollector/defiant04.jpg
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c10/eternalcollector/defiant05.jpg

[C.I.A.D.]

Awesome, awesome score! Welcome to the Tank, EC. I'm sure you already know this, but make sure to wash it with mild soap (ie - fragrance free) and use a soft to medium bristled brush. Some parts are going to be hard to come by, but it looks like you have a great start.

It doesn't appear as though either of the outer doors are broken, which is a serious bonus. I know some use a 30% peroxide mixture (you can find it at beauty supply stores) to restore the white parts. Hopefully someone a bit more well versed on that subject will chime in. You can find repro stickers here:

Defiant (series) : Cobra Stickers, Replacement and restoration stickers for classic G.I. Joe vehicles. (http://www.cobrastickers.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=99&zenid=f3508a5ca9b8de2276e1571837588115)

Good luck on the resto, man! Can't wait to see it restored to its former glory!

[spiderpumpkin]

http://www.hisstank.com/forum/g-i-joe-toys-vintage-discussion/123865-g-i-joe-defiant-restoration-how-guide.html

[nova]

Based on the Color, I see no need to bother with Peroxide... Just a good washing. For large parts, once the major dirt is rinsed away, Top rack of your Dishwasher is a quick effective way to clean them.

Hope everything came apart alright, there are a couple parts that are notorious for breaking when you try and remove them.

[C.I.A.D.]

Hopefully someone a bit more well versed on that subject will chime in.

http://www.hisstank.com/forum/g-i-joe-toys-vintage-discussion/123865-g-i-joe-defiant-restoration-how-guide.html


Never doubt the Tank for folks in the know. ;) Thanks for the link, SP!

And thanks to DrunkenMunky for the tutorial. Who knew he could formulate a thought, let alone a how to guide! I'll have to go visit him and put a "YOU ARE SUPER!" sticker on his helmet.

[jeffafa]

Lucky!

[drunknmunky]

http://www.hisstank.com/forum/g-i-joe-toys-vintage-discussion/123865-g-i-joe-defiant-restoration-how-guide.html

That was a cool thread. Too bad the idiot never finished it...

Never doubt the Tank for folks in the know. ;) Thanks for the link, SP!

And thanks to DrunkenMunky for the tutorial. Who knew he could formulate a thought, let alone a how to guide! I'll have to go visit him and put a "YOU ARE SUPER!" sticker on his helmet.

No stickers on my helmet until I finish the guide. Damn that stupid blue door.

[Eternal Collector]

Thanks guys! I just bought some magic erasers and a small bucket of oxy-clean. What do you think about these for cleaning?

Also, anyone have some defiant spare parts for sale?

[wormser]

wow. cant wait to see it finished.

[wormser]

Defiant 1987 : Welcome to JOEPARTS.COM, Your Online source for GI Joe parts and accessories! (http://www.joeparts.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=76_674_678)

[JoeMama]

Best of luck man, that's a great score and post some progress pics!

[C.I.A.D.]

no stickers on my helmet until i finish the guide. Damn that stupid blue door.


el-oh-el

[musashi3000gt]

Wow that is a thing of beauty! Your brave dude! I wouldnt of taken it all apart for ear of breaking some tabs.
Share some pics with us when your done bro.

[Eternal Collector]

So I took a big storage bin and filled with hot water and a few scoops of Oxy-Clean. Then I took the "famous" Magic Erasers and went to work. Man! This thing was dirty, but it came out pretty good. I have to say, the Magic Erasers kind of suck. While they do a good job for cleaning, they fall apart really easy.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c10/eternalcollector/defiant06.jpg

I do have a question, is the booster supposed to be the same shade of white as the Shuttle?

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c10/eternalcollector/defiant07.jpg
Now thats white!

[firefox91]

Too my knowledge, yes they are supposed to be the same shade. It isn't uncommon for similar items stored in similar conditions to have different levels of discolorations. Just one of those weird things. Regardless, yours looks really good as-is. I wouldn't mess with them at all with paint and/or peroxide. They look great.

[rdodger]

The booster is not the same color as the shuttle. The shuttle is a nice white. The booster is duller off-white.

[MightyMegs]

Yeah... booster is darker.

[blackbarn]

I use magic erasers a lot for cleaning up toys, they are the best thing ever for certain tough spots that even scrubbing with a brush will not remove, as well as things like permanent marker. But yeah, they fall apart fast if you use them over rough areas. There are some heavy duty kitchen scrubber ones too, but I have not tried them yet... maybe they last longer?

Also, any time you are removing or adding a plastic piece on an old toy, it can't hurt to warm it up first, like with hot water or a hair dryer. It softens the plastic and makes it less likely to snap.

[Christoph]

Nice find. I cant wait to see it done.

[Tolan]

I do have a question, is the booster supposed to be the same shade of white as the Shuttle?

Now thats white!


The booster is not the same color as the shuttle. The shuttle is a nice white. The booster is duller off-white.



Yeah... booster is darker.


Agreed!

The shuttle is much more brilliant white while the booster is a light gray.

[Tuga Viper]

Nice score EC!

How's that Terrordrome coming along?


EM

[Rulz]

wow.. awesome score.. can't wait to see it after the restoration. very lucky of you..

[Superjoe74]

Nice score. It's great when people share something they are happy about.

[Eternal Collector]

Nice score EC!

How's that Terrordrome coming along?


EM
Hey bro! The terror drome has taken a back seat to the defiant for the moment. LOL!

How do you guys use the mothers back to black? Just like waxing a car?

[Narius P]

I just read through this thread, Here's a pic of my Defiant Booster that I recently Peroxided! I didn't realize how discoloured it was til I did a comparison (I did the hatches before the main body).

[Eternal Collector]

Ok, so it took some time (also have a few other projects I have been working on) but eveything came out great!

I am lucky that everything here was in great shape and had great color too! One thing I did learn, leaving parts soaking in oxy-clean works great! I even put a few yellowed parts from other vehicles and it did lighten them a bit. (not great, but definately lighter) I am waiting on the decals from good ole' Ruben. When I complete this bad boy I will post more pics.

One thing, I can not believe that I have so many parts for this and I see that I am missing so many more! LOL. I am hapy that I got it for a decent price.
Here are some pics.
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c10/eternalcollector/newdefiant03.jpg
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c10/eternalcollector/newdefiant02.jpghttp://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c10/eternalcollector/newdefiant01.jpg

[BUGG]

Thanks guys! I just bought some magic erasers and a small bucket of oxy-clean. What do you think about these for cleaning?

Also, anyone have some defiant spare parts for sale?

I may have a few of these parts you speak of.
Also I can repair parts.
On Defiant's I have repaired,
Airlock doors, broken green walkways, bay door hinge pins and tabs, elevating arms, (both from stress cracks, and broken spring loops), re-enforced wheel arms, hull repairs(cracks etc.).
If you have a list I can see what we have.

Looking great by the by!

[DaveViper]

So I took a big storage bin and filled with hot water and a few scoops of Oxy-Clean. Then I took the "famous" Magic Erasers and went to work. Man! This thing was dirty, but it came out pretty good. I have to say, the Magic Erasers kind of suck. While they do a good job for cleaning, they fall apart really easy.



That's how I washed my Flagg when I got it, minus the magic erasers. Hot water and oxy-clean works wonders.

I just stumbled upon this thread. I'm subscribed now.
I'm hoping to pick one up this year and wouldn't mind the project.

Congrats on the find.

[Eternal Collector]

I may have a few of these parts you speak of.
Also I can repair parts.
On Defiant's I have repaired,
Airlock doors, broken green walkways, bay door hinge pins and tabs, elevating arms, (both from stress cracks, and broken spring loops), re-enforced wheel arms, hull repairs(cracks etc.).
If you have a list I can see what we have.

Looking great by the by!

Thanks for the message! I guess I got lucky as I dont have any broken parts or stress cracks. The only thing that is broken is the right elevaing arm hosing. Here is a pic.
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c10/eternalcollector/newdefiant04.jpg
Here is a list of stuff I need.
Gantry
1. Left rear crawler panel
2. Right rear crawler panel
3. Radiator
4. M-4719 Lazer gun (1)
5. Control Turret
6. Side Winshield
7. Ladder
8. Gantry guns (3)
9. Gantry gun mounts (2)
Booster
1. Swivel Lazer Guns (2)
2. Right window
3. Missiles (2)
4. Seat
5. Seat console
6. Large Nozzel (5)
7. Medium Nozzel (4)
8. Swivel chair
9. Left rear hatch cover
10. Control station
11. Transparent Door
12. Transporter Module
13. Revolving door
14. Revolving door wall
15. Left control unit
16. Right control unit
17. Sliding Hatch Cover
18. Cockpit entry door
Shuttle
1. Fins (3)
2. Large wheel rim
3. Small wheel rim
4. Crane arm
5. Hatch
6. Double Canon
7. Left and right utility console
8. Cockpit door lifter
9. Cockpit lever

I have also posted it here..
http://www.hisstank.com/forum/g-i-joe-buy-sell-trade/235898-eternal-collectors-w-t-b-defiant-parts.html

[BUGG]

Alright I have it printed I'll have a look through our Defiant stuff today. We are supposed to be selling one off soon so I need to sort the spares anyways.



Thanks for the message! I guess I got lucky as I dont have any broken parts or stress cracks. The only thing that is broken is the right elevaing arm hosing.

[spiderpumpkin]

Where do all these parts always disappear to? I would think many of these parts would be stored inside the booster and shuttle but they always seem to be missing.

[Eternal Collector]

Your right! I cant believe how many parts I am missing. The guy that sold it to me pulled it out of a storage locker. He said it had not been opened in about 15 years. He was not a collector so he just wanted to sell it. It was dirty and grimy!