Quick answer
Warm the face plate and head with your hands for about a minute before pulling, then grip the head near the neck joint and ease the plate out with a slight rocking motion. Never pry with a screwdriver or knife, and never pull the plate by the eye or mouth area. If you feel real resistance, stop and warm it a little longer.
Why Nendoroid parts feel stiff and how to loosen them
Nendoroid face plates sit in a recessed track inside the head, and the plastic can tighten with temperature changes, dust, or long storage. Before you pull, roll the head between your palms for 30 to 60 seconds. Body heat softens the plate just enough to release without white stress marks. Avoid hair dryers and hot water, which can warp paint and soften the peg permanently. If the plate still will not budge, check that the neck joint is not twisted; a misaligned neck can make the head feel locked even when the plate is loose.
Set up a safe workspace before you start
Work over a shallow tray or a soft towel, not a hard floor. Face plates, hand parts, and small accessories are easy to drop and hard to find, especially clear or tiny pieces. Keep a small cup or zip bag nearby for the parts you remove, and sort them by type so you do not mix up left and right hands. Good light from the side helps you see the seam between the plate and the head. If you wear long sleeves, push them up so fabric does not catch on the figure.
How to change a Nendoroid face plate step by step
Hold the head from the sides, close to the neck peg, so you are not squeezing the face itself. Use your thumb to press gently on the back of the head while your other hand rocks the face plate forward and out. The plate should slide free with light pressure. If it catches, rotate the head slightly and try again rather than pulling harder. When you install the new plate, line up the notch at the bottom first, then press the top edge in until it sits flush. A plate that is not fully seated will look crooked and can pop out during posing.
Swapping hands, arms, and accessories without damage
Nendoroid arm and hand pegs are smaller than the face plate, so they need a gentler touch. Support the shoulder joint with one finger while you pull the hand or arm straight out, not at an angle. Twisting a small peg is the fastest way to snap it. If a hand feels stuck, warm it the same way you warmed the face plate. When you attach a new hand, push until you feel a soft click or the parts meet evenly. Do not force a hand past its stop point; if it will not go, you likely have the wrong peg size or the wrist is rotated.
Everyday care to keep plates and pegs working
Dust the head and face plates with a soft makeup brush or a clean, dry microfiber cloth. Avoid alcohol, acetone, and household cleaners, which can dull the face print or make clear parts cloudy. Store unused plates in a small case or bag away from direct sun, because UV light fades paint over time. If a peg starts to feel loose, do not add glue; a tiny piece of clear tape on the peg or a light squeeze of the joint can restore friction without making the part permanent. Rotate displayed faces every few months so no single plate sits under pressure for years.
Nendoroid face plate swap steps
- Warm the head: Roll the head between your palms for 30 to 60 seconds to soften the plate without heat tools. Checkpoint: the plate should feel slightly looser before you pull.
- Support the neck joint: Grip the head near the neck peg so you are not squeezing the face or hair. Checkpoint: if the neck twists, stop and straighten it first.
- Rock the plate out: Press the back of the head gently with your thumb while rocking the plate forward and out. Checkpoint: if it resists, warm again instead of pulling harder.
- Seat the new plate: Line up the bottom notch first, then press the top edge until it sits flush. Checkpoint: a crooked plate can pop out during posing.
- Store removed parts: Place spare plates and hands in a labeled tray or zip bag away from sunlight. Checkpoint: keep small pegs separate from acrylic pieces to avoid scratches.
Product facts that matter for this care routine
- Nendoroid Satsuki Kiryuin: Kamui Junketsu Ver. (KILL la KILL): Nendoroid Satsuki Kiryuin: Kamui Junketsu Ver. includes three face plates and optional parts such as Bakuzan: Koryu, Bakuzan: Gako, and a Scissor Blade (half), plus dedicated combination parts for displaying with Nendoroid Ryuko Matoi: Kamui Senketsu Ver. More plates and accessories mean more swaps, so a labeled tray or small case is worth setting up before you start posing.
- Bocchi the Rock! Trading Scene Acrylic Stand Keychain: 1 Random Pull: Bocchi the Rock! Trading Scene Acrylic Stand Keychain is a random pull from the Trading Scene series and is made by armabianca. If you keep small acrylic pieces on the same shelf, store them separately from loose Nendoroid hands and pegs to avoid scratches and mix-ups.
