Saopy water & cloth or baby wipes to clean ships & figures?

[paulcalf]

What is the best way to clean my childhood collection of ships and figures please? I've seen a few posts in the past but can't remember which is best way. I want to get them cleaned up, but not at the expense of damaging the plastic.

I've also noticed that a few of the figures have gone a bit sticky, im pretty sure they are all ones from a particular 'wave' of ESB figures. Did they use a different production method for a short run of figures or something. All the figures have been in the same sealed bags, but only a few that i believe were released at the same time seem to be sticky.

Thanks

Paul

 

[itfciain]

With most of the figures, either soapy water or a baby wipe works just fine (in fact I am sure Mr. Fuzzybuzzy was saying how therapeutic it is to sit there giving your figures a soapy bath)

You just need to watch out for any ships or figures that have decals - such as R2, R5 etc.

In terms of the sticky figures, I am sure that I have read somewhere that this is just the plastic lightly bleeding - a good sponge down should have them as good as new

From what I have read, it is probably not a good idea to keep these sealed away in plastic bags for a long time - even if it's just a case of opening them up now and again to let them 'breathe'

 

[paulcalf]

thanks very much ill give both ago

I've removed the figures from the bags now and hope they will be ok, its just a weird that only one range seemed sticky

Thanks again

 

[Doomseeker]

Lighter fluid is great for taking marks off figures, ships and playsets, you can even use a little to wipe over a sticker and make it look good as new

 

[walkie]

Lighter fluid is great for taking marks off figures, ships and playsets, you can even use a little to wipe over a sticker and make it look good as new

...but don't smoke whilst your cleaning them :shock:

 

[fuzzybuzzytoys]

One of the most relaxing Sunday mornings I have had in a long time, me a job lot of dirty Star Wars toys and a family pack of baby wipes

Ah sweet memories

 

[Pomse2001]

I always use water and soap the first time I get them, good luck with cleaning them

 

[Doomseeker]

Lighter fluid is great for taking marks off figures, ships and playsets, you can even use a little to wipe over a sticker and make it look good as new

...but don't smoke whilst your cleaning them :shock:

True dat! or your figures will end up looking like Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru!!!

One of the best things I use (if you have access to one) is the dishwasher. Obviously dont use on items with stickers and remove all electrics before you do. it works great, the amount of times my wife has come home to find figures, Falcon bits and Motu playsets....Good Times!!!

 

[JuniorChubb]

Lighter fluid is great for taking marks off figures, ships and playsets, you can even use a little to wipe over a sticker and make it look good as new

...but don't smoke whilst your cleaning them :shock:

True dat! or your figures will end up looking like Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru!!!

One of the best things I use (if you have access to one) is the dishwasher. Obviously dont use on items with stickers and remove all electrics before you do. it works great, the amount of times my wife has come home to find figures, Falcon bits and Motu playsets....Good Times!!!

Lol you lazy git :lol:

Seriously though aren't you risking a bit of melting... obviously it has not happened yet but if I remember from my dishwasher days some plastics melt in the dishwasher..

 

[Doomseeker]

LOL!!
Never had a problem, I tend to set it on the 35c setting, always works a treat

 

[JuniorChubb]

35 degress, very clever. I seem to remember plastic toys having a '40 degree warning' for melting... Anyone else remember this?

 

[paulcalf]

Wow, thanks for all the suggestions.

These are my childhood toys and figures, so im not sure if i should risk them in a dishwasher, even at 35c

Ill give the old school soap and water a go and see what happpens

Thanks again