Can packaging cause damage to figures (1 Viewer)

[nmrocks]

I was thinking the other day as I sell off many of my card collection, there was issues early on about the plastic protective sleeves causing damage to the cards as the petroleum products age and break down. Could the same happen to painted figures as the petroleum product foam packaging ages and degrades? Facts or opinions please?

 

[CannonFodder1971]

Certainly many numismatics will tell you that the older types of plastic sleeves in which they used to store coins were liable to generate a form of hydrochloric acid when moisture interacted with the carbon compounds. I think the more modern plastics are more stable and do not degenerate so quickly.
I don't know about the King & Country foam, but even with sets from 1998 and 1998 - those which I know have original inserts - there does not appear to be anything noticeable in the sets that I've had in storage for a while. However, I'd imagine that they do break down over time, and whether there's an inert by-product or something more toxic then we'll probably have to wait and see. I'm sure that Shannon & Pete, Bill Sager, Gideon and the other dealers could probably let us know of any horror stories they've come across to date.
Interesting question though.

 

[gk5717]

I have had cards in plastic sleeves for over 20 years and have had no damage to them.
I recently had a problem with old Marx plastic figures which I sold. Upon their arrival the guy said 4 of the 50 had broken arms, rifles etc. He claimed it was just the age of the plastic, 50 years, that they became brittle in the cold.
I,m a little leary now, as I,m selling off my Marx collection, other than the one guy, who lived in cold Denver, I,ve had no other complaints.
Gary

 

[Fubar]

GK, old plastics can become brittle with being near frozen in the winter and baking in the summer year after year.Supposing they have been stored in the attic or something.If well taken care of they should have been okay.
Fubar

 

[jazzeum]

I think this issue with cards or other packaging is a little overblown. Maybe after many, many years, possibly but over a few, I doubt it. I can't see styrofoam breaking down after 10 or so years. 30 or so maybe but 10 is rather short.

 

[Shannon Reuss]

If any of you collect Beau Geste figures you would notice the ones that have silver paint (for swords, spears etc.) are wrapped in a thin layer of plastic to avoid contact with the foam insert because the foam causes some sort of chemical reaction with the paint. The plastic should always be kept around the silver paint on the figures if they are stored long term in their boxes.
I have never heard of packaging reacting with King & Country vehicles or figures but thought I'd mention the silver paint example to show that it can be an issue in some situations.

 

[bsager]

I think that where the items are stored makes all the difference in the world. I store all my inventory in an air conditioned warehouse and I have not had any problems. I have even stored some of my very old sets and they seem to be alright.
I have purchased some old sets and found some of the foam stuck to the figures but were easy to clean off. I am not sure where they were stored and under what conditions. For the most part I think the material K&C uses is very good.

Bill Sager

 

[Louis Badolato]

From what Ron Lay of Sommerset Figures (an early King & Country dealer who sculpted the early K&C Camel Corps figures as well as the wounded/dead Seaforth Highlander) told me, early on the glossy K&C figures would have some sort of a similar chemical reaction with the foam packing and would sometimes get a "pitted" paint surface. From what I understand, early on the glossy K&C figures were painted with Tamiya or Testors modeling paint, and then given a gloss coat. I don't believe this is a problem at all with the matt figures.

 

[nmrocks]

do you think the silver paint is an issue for the K&C figs. With all the swords and such for the Napoleonic line?

If any of you collect Beau Geste figures you would notice the ones that have silver paint (for swords, spears etc.) are wrapped in a thin layer of plastic to avoid contact with the foam insert because the foam causes some sort of chemical reaction with the paint. The plastic should always be kept around the silver paint on the figures if they are stored long term in their boxes.
I have never heard of packaging reacting with King & Country vehicles or figures but thought I'd mention the silver paint example to show that it can be an issue in some situations.