Time to let those EPI figures breathe a bit!

[jjreason]

Hey gang, just wanted to let you know about an experience my son and I had this morning with my Episode I figures.

We got them out to set up a battle, and a good number of them were quite sticky from the oils coming out of the plastic and not getting any air (my figures are all downstairs in closed rubbermaid bins - not airtight, but not really getting a lot of air either).

The battle droids (including OOM-9) were bad, but Jar Jar Binks' legs were the worst by far! Something about the shiny nature of the paint or plastic used might be responsible.

I've left the lid cracked a bit on this bin hoping they'll dry out - I don't want them wrecking the others.

I checked my POTF2 and POTJ bins and didn't find anything like this happening, so I don't think it's widespread through the entire modern line.

Just an FYI, in case any of you store them the same way - you might want to go have a look at them and give them some air.

[FundingMyAddiction]

Hey gang, just wanted to let you know about an experience my son and I had this morning with my Episode I figures.

We got them out to set up a battle, and a good number of them were quite sticky from the oils coming out of the plastic and not getting any air (my figures are all downstairs in closed rubbermaid bins - not airtight, but not really getting a lot of air either).

The battle droids (including OOM-9) were bad, but Jar Jar Binks' legs were the worst by far! Something about the shiny nature of the paint or plastic used might be responsible.

I've left the lid cracked a bit on this bin hoping they'll dry out - I don't want them wrecking the others.

I checked my POTF2 and POTJ bins and didn't find anything like this happening, so I don't think it's widespread through the entire modern line.

Just an FYI, in case any of you store them the same way - you might want to go have a look at them and give them some air.

That's weird. I just recently did the same thing: I went back and dug out all of the Ep I figures I never opened and I freed them from their cardboard prison. They'd been stored in a tupperware-type bin. Maybe it wasn't as airtight because I didn't have any major problems with the figures. OOM-9 had some plastic issues but I think that was a design flaw.

The only time I've noticed this kind of issue is when I dug out some POTF 2 figures that had been stored in an airtight Ziploc bag. My Darth Vader with removeable helmet was covered in sticky goo.

It's kind of hard to get air to your collection when you've got it packed six feet deep into the closet. :D

[Mr. JabbaJohnL]

My Jabba Glob had a bunch of orange crap (it kind of looked like sap) when I took him out of the baggie he'd been in for almost a year. It was gross . . . but maybe related to JJ's problem?

[Ando]

This is good to know, guys. Anyone have any experience with how the vehicles fare when stored in Rubbermaid style bins? That's how I store my JSFs, Gunships, ARC-170s, and other assorted vehicles in order to save space.

[Neuroleptic]

Yuck. Anyone know what that slime actualy IS?

. . .

And do we want to know? Stories like this make me glad my figures are all displayed. But it also makes me wonder if that slime is something found on every figure, and that I just never see it because it evaporates or leaves the figures in some other way since they are out in the open.

Which makes me wonder if I'v been breathing it in or somethig . . .

[omnithx]

Yuck. Anyone know what that slime actualy[sic] is?

I'm no scientist, but I would think any item left sealed up for a period of time that can't breathe would build up a degree of moisture or at least "sweat" and leave some kind of residue. I've found forgotten pencils in a tin with all kinds of funk on them.

[Qui-Long Gone]

My Jabba Glob had a bunch of orange crap (it kind of looked like sap) when I took him out of the baggie he'd been in for almost a year. It was gross . . . but maybe related to JJ's problem?

Funny, same was true for me last week....

But I remember having that stuff when it first came out and it was crap then too....

[sjd9299]

It all depends on the type of plastic used. In this case I am pretty sure a PVC. PVC will break down over time and leach out a sticky substance.

http://www.conservationregister.com/careplastics.asp?id=4

[LusiferSam]

Yuck. Anyone know what that slime actualy IS?

My best guess is that it's the plasticizers. They make hard plastics more flexible and not as brittle. The problem is they leech out real easy. Your new car smell are the plasticizers. I've found the modern lines all have a strong smell when you open them (don't believe me, ask Tycho). So the fact they are showing "tears" or "honey" really doesn't surprise me at all. Left out in the open the plasticizers will evaporate and disperse. Kept in a close space the plasticizers have no where to go and build up on the surface.

This is more comment problem for older toys. Barbies are prone a number of problem. If the head is sticky it's called "honey head." If there are sticky droplets those are called "tears." For vintage SW figures the common problems are "frosting," a white, powdery, and crystalline growth or stickiness. Modern toys are made from different plastics so you really can't look to what is happened to vintage ones for help as would is happening now.

I think the best thing is to smell them. If they smell strongly of plastic, they need to be aired out a lot. Those that don't small as strong should have tabs kept on them. Again I've found the modern figures to smell stronger of plastic then the vintage figure. Also, I as recall it was the POTJ, and Saga figures (that when I stopped with my modern collection) as smeller stronger than the POTF2 figures.