Not only planes! For that very reason(zinc pest) I sold all of my Kyosho and Revell and AutoArt car models.I did inform the buyer but he was willing to buy them any way. Zinc pest is a slow growing process,like cancer,and is not reversible!There is a lot of information, including pictures of recently produced models that have been affected by ZP, on the web.
damian
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I would appreciate some links to these images.
I have a few 1:32 Corgi planes and some FOV ones and am not keen on getting anymore if this is a problem.
Does it affect toy soldiers?
damian
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Thanks for the link.
It is nice to know that we are not the only hobby with "personality issues"
Phantom Warrior
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From reading articles on the internet, zinc pest affects mainly pre-war dinky toys and other toys of that era that are made of ZAMAC alloy - a zinc tin alloy and if it's been contaminated with lead, over many years the lead will cause the zinc to recrystallize. It is known as Intergranular Corrosion.
As for modern diecast toys, despite regulated standards imposed for the composition of ZAMAK since 1960, lead impurities have still managed to get into the mixture at some of the Chinese factories that produce diecast models. Many early Franklin Mint models from 1996-2000 are affected.
So don't buy diecast toys made in China
Except they are all made there. Sounds like it really depends on the factory.Terry
damian
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From reading articles on the internet, zinc pest affects mainly pre-war dinky toys and other toys of that era that are made of ZAMAC alloy - a zinc tin alloy and if it's been contaminated with lead, over many years the lead will cause the zinc to recrystallize. It is known as Intergranular Corrosion.
As for modern diecast toys, despite regulated standards imposed for the composition of ZAMAK since 1960, lead impurities have still managed to get into the mixture at some of the Chinese factories that produce diecast models. Many early Franklin Mint models from 1996-2000 are affected.
So don't buy diecast toys made in China
Terry
Well from the links I did not see any references to Corgi or FOV so I wonder if they are at risk?
Phantom Warrior
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There are lots of articles and discussions on zinc pest on the internet. There is no rampant disintegration of diecast models going on. Some of the old models have the problem. A few of the newer ones do to because of quality control (lead) problems in factories in China. Some of the problems are not zinc pest but are paint flaking due to poor surface preparation - a much more common problem.
If you have a concern about a particular makers collection you can contact them and they may or may not know whether some of their product is affected and if so which batches, if they are willing to tell you?
But I am not watching my few 1/32 Corgi aircraft or many 1/72 aircraft for signs of disintegration. Zinc pest takes many years to show up if it ever does.
Terry
If you have a concern about a particular makers collection you can contact them and they may or may not know whether some of their product is affected and if so which batches, if they are willing to tell you?
But I am not watching my few 1/32 Corgi aircraft or many 1/72 aircraft for signs of disintegration. Zinc pest takes many years to show up if it ever does.
Terry
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Oh dear,just read an article about 'polystone-pest' !!!
True ,
In damp areas polystone slowly absorbs moisture and after 8 to 10 years it will slowly collapse into a lump of mush. The mush is called polyrot or gruel.
Njja
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From reading articles on the internet, zinc pest affects mainly pre-war dinky toys and other toys of that era that are made of ZAMAC alloy - a zinc tin alloy and if it's been contaminated with lead, over many years the lead will cause the zinc to recrystallize. It is known as Intergranular Corrosion.
As for modern diecast toys, despite regulated standards imposed for the composition of ZAMAK since 1960, lead impurities have still managed to get into the mixture at some of the Chinese factories that produce diecast models. Many early Franklin Mint models from 1996-2000 are affected.
So don't buy diecast toys made in China
Terry
......................................................................................................
I am familiar with this in some early pre war Dinky Toys, I have seen it first hand several times. That being said I have a nice sized collection of Dinky Toys from the 1950's-1960's and they are all in perfect condition so it is not a wide spread condition....no need to panic. I would however exercise caution should you decide to purchase any die-cast items from China until we are assured this is not a current concern.
Theorethically and under the 'right' conditions this could affect all our polystone models. THIS SOUNDS EVEN WORST THAN ZINC PEST!!!!
I would like to hear K&C comment about this íssue' ! We pay a lot of money for our poly models and I would be terrified if they could turn into 'a lump of mush' ten years from now.
Spitfrnd
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I think you are quite safe with Corgi and Hobby Master 1/32s and likely 1/72 as well. The cases noted for Chinese factories have seemingly all been for the cheaper, smaller models. I have yet to see anyone show an example for the larger models. All of my Corgi, Franklin Mint and Hobby Master aircraft, bought from the 70s through last year are just fine.
Zinc pest is NOTHING like cancer; its cause is well understood now and easy to avoid in production. It truly is as much of a concern for the larger scale models as polystone rot.
damian
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I think you are quite safe with Corgi and Hobby Master 1/32s and likely 1/72 as well. The cases noted for Chinese factories have seemingly all been for the cheaper, smaller models. I have yet to see anyone show an example for the larger models. All of my Corgi, Franklin Mint and Hobby Master aircraft, bought from the 70s through last year are just fine.
Zinc pest is NOTHING like cancer; its cause is well understood now and easy to avoid in production. It truly is as much of a concern for the larger scale models as polystone rot.
That is good to hear.
I think you are quite safe with Corgi and Hobby Master 1/32s and likely 1/72 as well. The cases noted for Chinese factories have seemingly all been for the cheaper, smaller models. I have yet to see anyone show an example for the larger models. All of my Corgi, Franklin Mint and Hobby Master aircraft, bought from the 70s through last year are just fine.
Zinc pest is NOTHING like cancer; its cause is well understood now and easy to avoid in production. It truly is as much of a concern for the larger scale models as polystone rot.
There was a thread on The Model Hangar with pictures of parts of a P51 that were seriously damaged by zinc pest. This was a 1/35 model made by GMP, produced less than 10 years ago!!!
Spitfrnd
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Without a link that is impossible to evaluate. I am not sure that forum is even still open. This issue has been discussed a lot on the various Diecast forums and I still have yet to see a larger scale / more expensive example. If it is so prevalent, you would expect to see that shown on more than one dedicated forum. Conversely, there is ample discussion noting that the problem is limited as several of us have noted.
