Storing 12" figures?

[Palifan]

Hi All,

I've recently finished off my vintage 12" run (except IG88 but he's one I'll let slide), and noticed that a few from this collection such as Boba Fett and especially the Stormtrooper suffer from melt marks on them. It seems that with some of these figures if they are left in storage touching each other (steady ), this can occur.

My question is - Has anyone else noticed this with theirs, and do you think it's safe to store them loosely wrapped in bubble wrap?

I know this is probably a good question for the resident expert Lee Bullock but I thought I'd throw this out there to everyone.

Ian

 

[theslider]

I'd use that thin foamy stretchy stuff Ian - I think there is less 'plastic' in that (the chemists on here will come up with the correct term). As long as they're away from heat and damp I guess they should be okay. Do you just buy things to store them then?!

 

[Richard_H]

The melt mark is especially prevalent on the IG-88 as the bandolier and the grenades are different plastics. Boba Fetts hands also can melt. It's not just the 12" figures touching each other it's the parts of the figures joined together.
The IG you can protect by removing the accessories and separating but the issues like Boba..... I think it's inevitable that it's going to get worse.

 

[Palifan]

Thanks for the info guys. I thought it was something to do with different plastics touching and I'll source something other than bubble wrap to protect them like you suggested Stevie!

Ian

 

[mumbo]

Crikey :shock: never knew anything about this potential disaster. I've not seen it yet on the minimal amount of 12" that's passed through my hands ( :lol: ) so how common a problem is it :?:

 

[Palifan]

Well I've seen it a lot with marks/melts on Stormtrooper torsos and arms and It's common to see it on Boba's hands. I'm guessing the marks on the Stormtrooper is from the blaster resting across him but the Boba I'm not sure. I haven't seen in on others although it sounds like IG88 has problems and maybe the clothed figures don't suffer as there's no plastic on plastic action (this is getting worse :lol: )

 

[theslider]

What are these 'melt marks' anyway? Photos?

 

[Palifan]

What are these 'melt marks' anyway? Photos?

Here's the sort of thing I mean -

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Kenner-Star-Wars-STORMTROOPER-12-034-1978-Complete-Original-Owner-/281403162873?pt=US_Action_Figures&hash=item4184ef80f9&nma=true&si=AVODiygAAixiQcr%252BydjK%252BpG%252Btuc%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Kenner-Star-Wars-STORMTROOPER-12-034-1978-Complete-Original-Owner-Nice-/281379909781?pt=US_Action_Figures&hash=item41838cb095&nma=true&si=AVODiygAAixiQcr%252BydjK%252BpG%252Btuc%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

I think the same thing has happened to this ones hand as the hands and arms are made from different plastic/rubber -

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Star-Wars-12-034-Stormtrooper-Action-Figure-/251450754488?pt=US_Action_Figures&hash=item3a8ba205b8&nma=true&si=AVODiygAAixiQcr%252BydjK%252BpG%252Btuc%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

And this one's listed as excellent! :lol:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Kenner-Star-Wars-12-Inch-Storm-Trooper-Figure-Excellent-Condition-/171379768789?pt=US_Action_Figures&hash=item27e707bdd5&nma=true&si=AVODiygAAixiQcr%252BydjK%252BpG%252Btuc%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

 

[Jediknight3263827]

eeeek this melting is not good is it just the 12" figures that this is happening to?

 

[Palifan]

eeeek this melting is not good is it just the 12" figures that this is happening to?

It's the only range I've noticed so far but wouldn't be surprised to see a similar thing happening elsewhere in the hobby. We are already seeing a lot of yellowing happening with figures and vehicles so I'm sure as time goes on things can only get worse with this sort of degrading.

I've found some archival paper to wrap my figures in for now so hopefully that will do the trick.

 

[Lee Bullock]

A very common problem with IG88, Jawa, Stormtrooper and to a lesser degree Fett.

Its called vinyl migration - PVC contains plasticizers (a chemical called Phalate) that allow the PVC to remain flexible - however the plasticizers are not chemically bound to the PVC so when they are in contact with a plastic that has no plasticizer like ABS stryrene a chemical potential is formed that allows the plasticizer to migrate to the styrene causing it to "melt". No cure, best thing is to separate and bag up the IG 88 belt and bullets. As for stormtrooper and Fett the news isnt great, you can retard the process by dusting the wrists with talcum powder and making sure that you turn them on a periodic basis. I have 3 boxed Stormtroopers and one loose and only two are free of this defect. Fett usually isnt so bad as there is a layer of paint that can act as a partial barrier; however I have seen many Fetts with melted wrists too. Jawa is quite a bad one too - and VERY often you will find the belt has melted the cloak to the figure.

On a side note the sabers to the Lili Ledy 12" can also have this problem when stored in the belts.

Lee

 

[Palifan]

A very common problem with IG88, Jawa, Stormtrooper and to a lesser degree Fett.

Its called vinyl migration - PVC contains plasticizers (a chemical called Phalate) that allow the PVC to remain flexible - however the plasticizers are not chemically bound to the PVC so when they are in contact with a plastic that has no plasticizer like ABS stryrene a chemical potential is formed that allows the plasticizer to migrate to the styrene causing it to "melt". No cure, best thing is to separate and bag up the IG 88 belt and bullets. As for stormtrooper and Fett the news isnt great, you can retard the process by dusting the wrists with talcum powder and making sure that you turn them on a periodic basis. I have 3 boxed Stormtroopers and one loose and only two are free of this defect. Fett usually isnt so bad as there is a layer of paint that can act as a partial barrier; however I have seen many Fetts with melted wrists too. Jawa is quite a bad one too - and VERY often you will find the belt has melted the cloak to the figure.

On a side note the sabers to the Lili Ledy 12" can also have this problem when stored in the belts.

Lee

That's some great information Lee although it's not great news. I noticed that this was common on the figures I mentioned although I didn't realise the Jawa was effected as well, not good news

Thanks again and I'll be bagging things up separately from now on.

Ian

 

[Lee Bullock]

Also this process is VERY temperature dependent - the process is a diffusion process (Ficks Law) and the rate of diffusion is governed by both the chemical gradient and the temperature. You cant do anything about the chemical gradient other than separate items where you can and use talcum powder as a buffer but making sure you store you pieces in a cool environment has a large effect.

 

[Palifan]

Top man!

 

[mumbo]

Considering I've just started off on a 12" loose collection this news isnt great but at the same time I'm very gratefull for the info, now where did I put that talc

 

[Dark Sith Lord]

Some really informative posts their Lee. I shall certainly bare this in mind if I ever decide to start a 12" run :shock: