How to Fix a Broken Base on a Collectible Figure

A damaged base compromises the entire display — an unstable figure is also a fall risk. Fortunately, base repairs are usually among the easier fixes in collectible restoration.

Types of Base Damage

• Clean break — base has snapped into two clean pieces
• Cracked but intact — visible crack but base still holds together
• Chunks missing — requires gap-filling
• Figure detached from base — peg snapped or adhesive failed
• Warped or bent base — common with thin resin or thermoplastic bases

Repairing a Clean-Break Base

Two-part epoxy is the best choice for bases — the wide joint surface means epoxy's slightly lower strength vs super glue doesn't matter, and its gap-filling properties handle any small imperfections in the break surface.

1. Clean both surfaces with IPA
2. Mix two-part epoxy and apply to one surface
3. Press together, align carefully
4. Place face-down on a flat surface and weight the top for 24 hours
5. Fill any remaining seam line with UV-cure resin or epoxy putty, sand flush
6. Touch up paint to match

Stabilising a Crack Without Breaking It

For a crack that hasn't broken through: flow thin super glue into the crack using the capillary action method — hold the base with the crack opening downward, apply a drop of thin cyanoacrylate at one end, and let it wick along the crack. Apply from both ends if needed. This stabilises the crack and prevents it widening.

Reattaching a Figure to Its Base

If the figure has detached from the base (peg broken, adhesive failed):

• If the peg is intact on both sides: clean with IPA, apply two-part epoxy to the peg, insert and hold for cure
• If the peg is broken off: drill out the remaining stub carefully, cut a new brass rod pin to length, epoxy into the base hole, then epoxy the figure onto the rod
• If there was no peg: epoxy the flat contact surface with two-part epoxy

Replacing a Base Entirely

For a severely damaged or ugly base, replacement is often the best option. Wooden display plaques from craft stores, acrylic plinths, and MDF terrain bases are all suitable. Drill a hole for a brass rod armature if the figure doesn't have a flat foot contact, and attach with epoxy.