Best way to replace defective minifig hands?

[Fenghuang0296]

So, I'm not sure if this is an 'everyone' problem or a 'me' problem, but I recently got a Lego Minecraft skin pack. (#1, the one that comes with Gabriel from the Story Mode game.) When using them, I noticed something odd about the four included minifigs' hands; they seem to be thicker than normal minifigure hands. It's difficult to get them to hold onto round studs and they feel loose when holding onto bars, and it's impossible to get them to do both (something I have no trouble with for normal minifigs). So I was considering this and then realised that, owing to the Sherman number of 'Steve' minifigures a person racks up by collecting Minecraft Lego, I had plenty of pristine, unused spare flesh-coloured hands that I could use to replace the faulty ones. But . . I've never tried anything like this before, so I want to kms; what's the best way to remove and reattach minifugre hands while inflicting as little damage as possible to the interior pegs or arm parts?

[SollX]

just pull them straight out. it is the only way.
Maybe a little twist. 

I used to replace minifighands all the time if i needed a minifig to have a specific colour of "gloves"

[AmperZand]

@Feng-huang0296

Ease the hands out slowly and replace them the same way.

Bear in mind that LEGO uses at least two different diameters for the tolerances for the mininfigure pins/arm holes. As you're staying within the same range, you should be OK. But it is possible that the new hands have pins that are either too wide or narrow for the arm holes.

If they don't fit, too thick pins can be made thinner with sand paper, and too thin pins can be thickened with a thin application of Humbrol satin cote varnish (which should be allowed to dry for 24 hours before attempting putting the hands in the arm holes). If the pins are still too thin, apply another cote, allow to dry for another 24 hours, and try again. Repeat as required until the right clutch is achieved.   

Hope that helps.