Storage methods that AVOID plastic degradation ?

[Joe]

Just went through a few of my loose figures checking on their state, they are all packed up in plastic ziplock bags - some have air holes in them , some do not (this was a test of mine when I packed them)

Most are still in great condition although I noticed that the white figures that were super white are now a little yellow :
Stormtrooper, Luke Farmboy, etc

One or two that had a slight discolouration when I packed them are turning quite fast also, check out this comparison of my Han Carb on display and now :

One thing to note on this figure, he was stored face down in his carbonite block, his back is the same colour as it was originally, now I don't know if that means its a combination of the block/bag or just the bag but surely some MOC would have the same problem if it was the block ?

I can pretty much put it down to the plastic bags they are in, I knew it wasn't the ideal thing to do but I didn't have much choice or time to research the safest method of storing figures.

Basically , any tips on further storage? and has anyone had this happen to them before?

I have seen a plastic bag almost strip paint from a figure that was stored in it they can be that damaging

 

[Joe]

Oh I forgot to say - there doesn't seem to be any difference in figures stored with or without air holes in practically the same condition to start with. (the air hole thing was a tip I read on RS to allow the figures to "breathe" in the bag)

 

[jaymassive619]

Im just getting into loose and i have had a few figures off the bay lately that were advertised in C9 even C10 and they have arrived with clear plastic degeneration. I'm unsure if i should or how to contact the sellers about i did ask them if there were any signs of yellowing fading prior to bidding and they said no.

It has really pissed me off what would you guys do?

Regarding the plastic zip bags they are probably the worst thing to store loose figures in (appreciate you had the problem of the move). I just keep ,my loose figures on a shelf in a dark walk in cupboard with the air filtered and the temperature controlled.

 

[Rudyard]

That's quite worrying Joe
All my loose figures are stored in zip-lock plastic bags too. I find it useful to keep each weapon with each figure. I know its not ideal, but its been the easiest way for me in recent years. They have had no holes made in the bags. I hope to get a lot of them out on display shortly, but it is a worrying issue. Perhaps some foam-lined large tins with lids with dividers in or something. Not easy to sort if you have a couple of hundred figures.....

I hate that too Jay when that happens. Nothing worse than mis-described items, especially when you ask the specific question. Problem is, with loose figures, is it worth the hassle of posting back for a refund - guess they bank on you not bothering. I normally just make a note not to buy from them again.

 

[Joe]

Worrying indeed!

I guess in the end you have to just grow old with them and accept it, I probably wouldn't mind if I had them on display and they had turned whilst I enjoyed looking at them, but when you break them out of storage looking to display them and they were not as good as you remember, you start having to replace figures blah blah blah ...

Oh and yes , figures that are sold as mint never are, you might find a handful of people that actually sell what they describe but the majority don't and it's a pisser to wait for them to arrive only to have to complain and look for another .

Sometimes you can really luck out on odd lots and childhood loose collections, I used to do that when trying to complete my set and sell the rest on, more often than not I was finding really nice condition figures in them!

 

[slim]

my figs are inside a glass display case its not airtight but its the best i can do , you just have to accept that this fadding happens and accept it !

slim

 

[Capetown]

Is a combination of an acid free ziploc bag and acid free tissue paper maybe a better solution?

http://www.gtzip.com/archival.html
http://www.framedestination.com/Tissue/cat/sttiss/

 

[Joe]

Thanks for the PM Emiel I missed your post on this, yes I guess anything is worth a shot! Seems like a good product based on the info on those web pages, wonder if anyone has successfully tried it?