Children feed their curious minds through experiments as they attain various development milestones. This is the time during childhood when kids become overly playful and utilize nearly everything at their disposal for games. Luckily, the availability of plastic toys makes it easy for every kid to enjoy different games without limits. These toys are cost-effective and easy to repair in case of breakages. However, the restoration process can be cumbersome and time-consuming for those who attempt it without the right tools and skills. As such, you can easily learn how to fix your kid’s favorite plastic toys with minimal effort and expertise. With the growing concerns about the plastics ending up in landfills, one needs to take part in taming the menace at all costs. This article presents a step-by-step guide to repairing a plastic toy for your kids. Follow the procedure below to learn how to restore the toys and rekindle the joy on your kid’s face.
Preparation Process
A successful restoration plan requires attention to detail as you figure out how to mend the toys using the right adhesives. Start by assessing the damage on the broken toy to determine the right reparation approach and suitable adhesives. Also, you need to gauge the extent of damage to establish the toys that you can and those that need expert input. Many manufacturers use light polymers to produce modern toys. This guide is strictly focused on light plastics which are easy to repair using adhesive. The list below outlines the essential items that you need for a seamless DIY repair process.
- Broken toy (parts)
- Surface activator
- Sandpaper
- Glue
- Hot water in a large basin; to flex bent parts.
- Cold water
- Cleaning and drying materials
- Rubber band
Step One: Priming the Broken Toy
Clean the broken pieces and dry them using a dry towel. Ensure the pieces are fitting along the breaking point. If they do, move to step 2. However, if they don’t, dip each piece in hot water for a couple of minutes. This improves the flexibility to allow you to mold it to the best fit. Dip the molded piece in cold water carefully to attain a permanent shape. Repeat the process with the other pieces and place them on a clean surface. Dry the joined pieces after placing them on the surface but do it carefully to avoid interfering with the restoration process.
Step Two: Sanding
Use the sandpaper lightly to roughen the pieces along the broken surfaces. This improves adhesion sanctioning glue to settle properly. If any part of the toy was lost during impact, look out for a replacement item with similar characteristics. This can be shaped and sanded thoroughly until it fits seamlessly. Use a flexible material such as paper to trace the shape and size of your replacement piece. The texture and flexibility of the materials you choose here should match well a piece broken part. Use the trial-and-error method until the piece fits seamlessly. Dust the sanded surfaces with a dry cloth to discard loose debris.
Step Three: Seasoning and Gluing
Apply the surface activator on both surfaces of the broken pieces and leave them to heal for a minute. This prepares the surfaces for the adhesive. Once they dry, spread the glue evenly on one surface and reunite the pieces back like a pro. Hold them tightly as you clamp steadily using a rubber band. Ensure you make the necessary adjustments at this moment to attain a uniform shape, especially if your hands are shaky while clamping.
Place the toy in a cool and dry place, away from children at this point. Allow it to heal for a day for optimal results before unclamping it. This period gives it ample healing time that is needed for the glue to join the weak points strongly.
Step Four: Unveiling
Once the glue dries, unclamp the band and gently scrap off excess glue from the toy’s surface. You may use a gel remover to attain a smooth surface along the glued area. Your toy is now as good as new. You can present the renewed plastic dolly to your kids with joy. The spectacular smile on their face will be your reward for a job well done.
Take Away
Children are always active and playing takes a huge chunk of their time while at school or home. As such, parents and institutions invest heavily in acquiring the right toys and gaming equipment for children at different stages. Psychologists and physicians recommend that every kid should be active to improve various cognitive aspects. Playing with toys remains one of the most effective ways a kid can remain active and gain critical skills. However, this comes to a halt when toys break. The discussion above presents a perfect guide to fixing plastic toys using easy and straightforward approaches.