Fixing siezed snap out wing arm feature on SilverHawks figures

[Roar]

I just got a lot of SilverHawks figures in, and one of the figures' squeeze leg/snap out arm feature was not working because the arms were stuck out to their sides. (as described, the seller was very honest about it in the description)

I fiddled around with the figure for a little bit, and after manipulating the arms, I finally was able to get them click down, hold, and then squeeze the legs to make the arms go out to the side again. (The release the wings action)

However, when the arms went out to the side they seized again.

I am not saying that this procedure is an end all fix for all your SilverHawks wing snap malfunction problems, but this non-intrusive method fixed mine.

I put a couple of drops of 3 in 1 Oil in each arm hole in the torso area of the figure, slung it violently a few times (with a good grip and like it owed me money) upwards towards the arm area and then downwards towards the leg area allowing it to coat the inside mechanism.

Sling it outside where oil won't get on anything in your house. (It's always best to learn from others' mistakes)

I would be careful to not get the oil on the vacuum metallized parts, and especially the painted face, chest logo, and arms as well, but it seems that the oil does not damage the metallic finish on the toy. At least it hasn't on mine. I used 3 in 1 oil in lieu of WD-40 because WD-40 can discolor certain plastics and deteriorate them, whereas I have never heard of 3 in 1 doing that.

After gently moving the arms up and down and squeezing the legs intermittently, the lubrication completely freed the mechanism, and now the arms pop up and down as they are supposed to.

If you can, find a way to put your figure on its' side and place a paper towel under it (on a surface you are not worried about because of bleeding/leakage) to drain the excess oil out of the hollow areas of your figure.

Wipe the toy down afterwards and hopefully this will free your 'Hawks figure's arms if they are stuck too.

As an afterthought, you might want to keep your newly lubricated toy away from your collection until it has time to de-gas. 3 in 1 oil has an odor, and the smell might permeate and make your other collectibles smell too, especially if you keep figures in an enclosed/sealed place.

[Time Traveller]

Excellent fix suggestion! I've noticed a phenomenon in some Transformers and other toy joint functions where dust (sometimes dust eroded from the plastic from itself) accumulates in a microscopic layer that increases the friction a bit too much for the torque to overcome. I wonder if compressed air would have an effect on this to remove some friction before adding the 3-in-1 oil, or perhaps in removing excess oil by blowing it in one side and out the other.

Also, seconded on not using WD-40, I think the brand name makes people overzealous with what materials to apply that too, when we have thousands of different lubricants for different use cases!

[Roar]

Excellent fix suggestion! I've noticed a phenomenon in some Transformers and other toy joint functions where dust (sometimes dust eroded from the plastic from itself) accumulates in a microscopic layer that increases the friction a bit too much for the torque to overcome. I wonder if compressed air would have an effect on this to remove some friction before adding the 3-in-1 oil, or perhaps in removing excess oil by blowing it in one side and out the other.

Oh yeah! I bet compressed air would aid in the expulsion of some dust, it never even occurred to me to even try that! I had a portable one for awhile that I would fill with "the big one" in the shop, use it to service our vehicles, and help out the neighbors when they needed it by going to their homes (mostly elderly ones and kids' bikes) but the expiration date passed on it and I was afraid to keep using it. I've already used up all my brushes with death in this life and all I need is face and torso full of shrapnel, so there's no need to push it.

Also, seconded on not using WD-40, I think the brand name makes people overzealous with what materials to apply that too, when we have thousands of different lubricants for different use cases!

Oh, it's you know what on adhesives, and it makes rubber look nice....... for a little while, but it also decays that. I would have tried lithium grease, but it dries over time, stinks to high heaven, and I definitely think it might damage plastics.

My grandfather swore up and down that WD-40 was "good" for his joints and would slather it on his knees like butter on bread. It's like he missed the memo that its' name came from its' function as water displacement and ice removal from Atlas missiles.