Storage??

[Usetheforceluke]

Hi guys I've built up a small collection of graded figures and wondered what the best way of storing them was. They are currently in a clear plastic box but when it gets cold the box is freezing despite me putting bubble warp round the inside of the box. I was wondering if cardboard boxes are better for storing or plastic boxes? I will line the inside with bubble wrap regardless. Any tips much appreciated

 

[Bootyhunter]

Where abouts are you? Hoth?

 

[Joe]

Where abouts are you? Hoth?

:lol:

 

[lejackal]

Bring them inside the house?

 

[Usetheforceluke]

They are inside lol. Long story but we have no heating installed. Only ever had a gas fire and a log fire which is broke!!

 

[yoda]

How cold is the box surly its not that cold? I am sure if there's no ice they are fine. Some of my figures are in the loft and it's the same temperature as the outside. Maybe 1 or 2 degrees warmer than outside. They seem cold but I don't think they are getting damaged.

 

[skywalker]

The only concern I would have about them being cold is if it were to create condensation... It helps to keep them at a constant temperature more or less.

 

[Dorsetmark]

If really worried you could pack them with some bags of silica jel

 

[robpmarsh]

My flat is freezing cold most of the time (long story....tight landlord) and the temperature hasn't affected any of my loose/MOCs so u think you'll be alright. Damp will be the biggest worry and wrapping them up probably won't stop it.

 

[x-pack]

Despite what anyone else might say, your health is more important than vintage Star Wars. Sell something and buy some heating :wink:

I keep my collection in the attic so no heating up there. Probably similar conditions to your flat by the sound of it. My only real concern is heat in summer. I try to keep it ventilated but it's not ideal. The cold is less of a concern but if you have humidity where you store your stuff I would be concerned about that. Cold and heat without humidity are not a huge issue. I think this was brought up in another recent thread - light and damp are the biggest threat to vintage toys

 

[jasdev999]

its more important to have a near constant temperature whether cold or warm. Also moisture is what can damage plastic and cardboard. My collection is in a fairly cold room but I think it's OK.

 

[Bootyhunter]

Despite what anyone else might say, your health is more important than vintage Star Wars. Sell something and buy some heating :wink:
s

^^^this^^^

 

[Usetheforceluke]

I suppose if I keep the box lined with bubble wrap and plenty of air it will be fine. Does anyone know if those heavy duty poly bags are any good for graded cases?

 

[yoda]

Yeah I think they will be fine at whatever your room temperature is at. I don't know much about the bags they will probably help protect them but I don't think they will affect the temperature around the cases. Hope they keep ok for you

 

[Usetheforceluke]

Okay cheers. Just a bit paranoid because (long story) I put all my loose figures from childhood in plastic poly bags and sealed them up. Put them in a plastic box under the stairs and sealed the lid. It's very cold under the stairs but don't think it's damp. Years later when I opened the bags the figures had discoloured, bent out of shape and in some cases the plastic had started to melt and erode like I had set light to the figures :/

 

[skywalker]

Okay cheers. Just a bit paranoid because (long story) I put all my loose figures from childhood in plastic poly bags and sealed them up. Put them in a plastic box under the stairs and sealed the lid. It's very cold under the stairs but don't think it's damp. Years later when I opened the bags the figures had discoloured, bent out of shape and in some cases the plastic had started to melt and erode like I had set light to the figures :/

Jesus no wonder you are paranoid mate...

 

[Usetheforceluke]

Damaged my sw toys, batman figures, football Corinthians, tmnt, ghostbusters and he-man. Don't understand what happened?!

 

[Palifan]

Damaged my sw toys, batman figures, football Corinthians, tmnt, ghostbusters and he-man. Don't understand what happened?!

That must have been one sad day unboxing those toys after so many years :shock: .

Really alarming and god knows what my items that are stashed away look like (although I did take all my figures out of the zip lock bags and put them in acid free paper bags, hopefully that's helped a bit.

Ian

 

[Usetheforceluke]

Maybe it was the acid in the types of bag I used. Or the cold, or the lack of air. Not sure but always worried now. When I took them out the bags it smelt of mold mixed with the rubber they were made of. All the legs bent out if shape! Childhood toys ruined! Would love to know if anyone else had the same issue?

 

[yoda]

That's really strange I don't think cold or damp done that although I could be wrong. Maybe there was something in the bags or because it was airtight.
In my childhood we also had no oil heating just an open fire in the living room.
So all my old figures were exposed and my Falcon to the conditions you have now and they are still fine. I still have them. Maybe at one stage something got into the box and damaged them.