Glass eyes in IC Yoda help

[ChadC]

Hi,
I've been lurking for a while, reading all the old and new posts!

I have an IC Yoda that is in really nice shape. I have already replaced his cane with a resin one, the necklace and belt are on order. I have a set of glass eyes from vaderdarth.
I have never attempted anything like this, and I am very worried about cutting into Yoda, I would hate to screw him up! My question is, what is the best and proper way to cut out Yoda's old eyes and get these glass ones installed?

Thanks a bunch!

 

[Funky]

Interesting post. First I would see if there was any way I could reach inside his body into his head though I suspect all body cavities are closed (ewwwwwww!). So, option two which is tricky but certainly not impossible.
Remove the existing eyes. (keep in mind, this is how I would do it, so if you try and and you screw it up, you're on your own, pal :lol) Use a really good small suction cup, like a silicone based "dart" from a Nerf gun. CAREFULLY cut out the eyes and see if they'll pull out.
Next, use suction cup to pop in and push it beyond the open socket, use a little Goop around the inside of the eyelid and gently pull untill it presses in the Goop, then immediately lay him face down. Next day, do the other.
Now this should work, however my biggest concern would be the suction cup might not hold as well as it should and you lose an eye inside the body.
Just an idea. Good luck and let us know what you come up with.
Show pics when you're done or it didn't happen.
Leave your wallet at the door.
Welcome.

 

[chuckyAPP]

Ive done thos a few times, I like Jedis idea too. If the head is hollow use hot glue to fix them in plce, gives you some tome to get them perfectly aligned, any glue that seeps out can be easily cut out and removed with a blade. Whatever you do do NOT use crazy glue- it will fog up the glass eyes and ruin them.
good luck

 

[ChadC]

Interesting ideas guys! Thanks! Yoda is mounted to the base still, I don't really want to take him off of that.....he is a bit dried out, very minimal cracking, but I don't want to make it worse! I kinda thought that was the best way, just seeing if others thought along the same lines.....Im just about finished with my 1:1 R2, and working with aluminum is a lot more forgiving than Yoda's dried out body

 

[Vadermonkey]

Having owned one of these and doing this very thing I can tell you the way I did it was to cut out the eyes with an exacto and pulled a little foam out a bit at a time and fitting the new eyes with each removal of foam. If you do it carefully the pressure of foam and the rubber eyelids will hold the new eyes in place.

The figure itself is secured to the base via nails going through the rubber and can easily be removed and replaced. The robes are held in place with hot glue but I wouldnt recommend going this route for eyes.

**One thing to note is that the paint is like a layer of rubber itself so make certain you make a clean cut all the way through it on the inner most part of the eyelid to avoid it peeling off. You do these things at your own risk but hopefully this will be of some help.

 

[ChadC]

Great. Thanks. How much foam is in there? Im guessing the head is hollow?

 

[ChadC]

Well, I did it.....it worked out pretty well....the foam inside Yoda's head really made it easy to get the glass eyes lined up and it also, as stated above, held them nicely. I used a little latex to help hold the eyes in....also to fill in some gaps.....I also used some hobby paints to touch up areas around his eyes....pictures tomorrow....thanks again for all your help guys!

 

[Paracord Junky]

pre and post would be cool. i love before and after restoration pics.