PlaymoFriends

General => News => Topic started by: Macruran on November 16, 2014, 20:11:58

Title: oak tree leaves bending too much
Post by: Macruran on November 16, 2014, 20:11:58

(if this is the wrong forum, please move)

So the leafy branches of the oak tree tend to bend upwards quite dramatically. Since this violates gravity and looks a little silly, I'd like to at least straighten them out. Putting them under heavy books for months hasn't worked. Is there a special trick?

Title: Re: oak tree leaves bending too much
Post by: Birdie on November 16, 2014, 20:28:51

No idea, but if someone has an answer, I'd like to hear it too.

And it's strange, because some of my oak leave branches have it, and some don't.

Title: Re: oak tree leaves bending too much
Post by: Macruran on November 16, 2014, 20:33:20

I have a couple spare branches. I think I might try microwaving one.

Title: Re: oak tree leaves bending too much
Post by: playmofire on November 16, 2014, 20:40:18

Try soaking in hot water and then bending and then plunge into cold water (all at your own risk, of course).

Title: Re: oak tree leaves bending too much
Post by: Ismene on November 16, 2014, 21:31:55

Quote from: Macruran on November 16, 2014, 20:33:20

I have a couple spare branches. I think I might try microwaving one.

I tried this on another part and got some discoloration. I think putting it into hot water for a couple minutes is probably safer.

Title: Re: oak tree leaves bending too much
Post by: Robbie on November 17, 2014, 00:42:07

I have the issue with a hideaway tree (3626/7093). The tree looks pretty bad.  :-\

Title: Re: oak tree leaves bending too much
Post by: Giorginetto on November 20, 2014, 21:26:11

I had a couple of oak branches that were severely deformed. i used a hair drier for a but being very careful not to melt them of course and once they were pretty hot i put a heavy book on top of them. it worked twice i did this !!! many many years ago but i still recall my joy back then  ;D

Title: Re: oak tree leaves bending too much
Post by: Bolingbroke on November 24, 2014, 07:55:50

As giorginetto said, be careful. I bought one off ebay ones, and the leaves were melted. I think it's safer with the hot water than with the hairdryer. Pop them into some very hot but not boiling water for 2 or 3 minutes, and they should get back to the shape they were molded in. I use this method all the time with my action figures.

Title: Re: oak tree leaves bending too much
Post by: Macruran on November 29, 2014, 01:19:15

I am pleased to report that the hot water/cold water method works.

Boiled some water in my glass electric kettle. Let it sit for a while - half an hour? - until it was still hot but I could comfortably put my fingers in it. Poured some into a small bowl, plunged the branch in, let it soak for a bit, manipulated it into shape, then doused the reformed branch with cold water. It "froze" into the new shape.

Soon I will do the rest of the branches and maybe do a Teutoberg dio.

Thank you everyone for your advice! Playmofriends is righteous.

Before:

(http://i.imgur.com/nJH7kyB.jpg) (http://imgur.com/nJH7kyB)

After:

(http://i.imgur.com/t40KQCD.jpg) (http://imgur.com/t40KQCD)