Figure Conservation

[jambobbyb]

Evening chaps, I cracked out a few of my old loose figures last night to discover a few nasty surprises! These figures were stored in 2001 and haven't seen the light of day since then, All were stored in baggies and then in tins, The room hasn't been warm or cold and is incredibly dry, However I noticed a sticky residue had started to form and crystallise on the legs only of what was a C9 Sand man and the same thing appears on the arms and legs of my storm trooper which were 10 years ago white and pristine now have a similar sticky type residue and have started to yellow, I never really though about it until I opened the tin but these baggies were 10+ years old, Does anyone know if this is just plastic ageing or if it might be an over gassing type scenario brought on by the baggies? And what is the current thinking on preserving these things for the future, Are AFA style cases the way forward or are Mylar baggies still good to use?
All the best
James

 

[Dom]

Youn should be able to sort 99% of this with a warm water bath and a soap/cleaner (nothing bleach based) mate.

 

[tiefighterboy]

The crystalization AKA Kenner mold can be removed by exposing them to direct sunlight for a few hours.

 

[jambobbyb]

Thanks for the tips guys, I will leave them in the sun tomorrow afternoon and then take them in the bath with me is they require a clean... Does ayone know what causes this to come about, I collect medals and coins and there is an issue wih both where by if there stored bags and pouches a sticky residue forms and tarnishes them after 4 or 5 years. I am wondering if the root cause might be my old baggies.

 

[tiefighterboy]

Several factor cause this. Age, outgassing, degredation. Not much you can do and storing them in air tight bags might trap the gas and cause more issues, although some of my figures suffer from the sticky issue out in the open. I usually at least once a year lightly wash them with a mild soap and hot water, the apply Armour All to them.....No problems from this process as of yet.

 

[Dark Sith Lord]

Thanks for the tips guys, I will leave them in the sun tomorrow afternoon and then take them in the bath with me is they require a clean... Does ayone know what causes this to come about, I collect medals and coins and there is an issue wih both where by if there stored bags and pouches a sticky residue forms and tarnishes them after 4 or 5 years. I am wondering if the root cause might be my old baggies.

You collect Coins? Cool! 8) My Dad has a collection of 50,000 ++ PM Sent!

Anyway back on SW! :lol: Some sound advice given here. Sunlight should do the trick!

 

[jambobbyb]

Hi Chris 50 000 my god! including my modern oddities i have about 200 i have a few old roman silvers a couple of nice byzantines and a few edwardian/victorians which are the pride of my collection, the bulk is made up of 70s- modern day stuff i have picked up as a possible future collectable hand hold chunky 50p pieces - the most recent olympic 50ps anything that i find in my pocket thats mint and different so to speak i am not in any way shape or form a hard core numismatist!
Many thanks for all the advice chaps most appreciated done a search for Armour all and will have a look into getting some for the cleaning cupboard!

 

[Dark Sith Lord]

Chris? Its Liam mate! :wink:

No worries mate. PM Replied. I dont want to hijack your thread

 

[jambobbyb]

F**k me! sorry Liam im drafting an E-mail at the moment to a Chris i work with and seem to have Chris on the brain... DOH!