Longevity of polystone? (1 Viewer)

[ollie_drab]

I've read some horror stories about polystone pieces over at the 1/6th CH collector forums. Over the years, pieces crack, split or warp, even in an ideal "controlled" environment (in the A/C, 74*f, out of direct sun). Granted 1/6th items are heavier, and reinforced with wire to provide tensile strength. But maybe, the factory had the wrong resin mixture that day, formula was wrong, ect.
What I'm getting at is, if anyone has insight in piece longevity; will polystone retain it's original shape, in ideal conditions, for 5, 10, 15 years? Or will my prized investment turn in a gooey ball of silly putty, before I'm playing shuffleboard in some retirement home?

 

[Blowtorch]

Looking at the original polystone Sherman & Panther which were among the first (good question....what WAS the first polystone vehicle?), they have not changed at all.

 

[Toy Soldier Brigade]

I don't think they are the same. 1/6 items are basically cast resin, which if not mixed properly or if inexpensive resin is used does have issues. I believe the stuff (polystone) K&C is using is a mixture of resin and stone dust, which is far more durable then the resin only the 1/6th manufactures use to use. Most of the newer 1/6th vehicles are injection molded plastic now a days. I have several all resin 1/6th motorcycles and artillery pieces that are mostly resin and have had no issues with them. Rumor is that Dragon is producing a 1/6th scale Sherman this year, all plastic.

 

[noli-poli]

Polystone is a manufacturing medium used for cast sculptures, it is hard to find one that delivers a cleaner, more substantial representation of an original sculpture than a product manufactured in Polystone. Polystone has a significant weight, a porcelain like feel to the touch, and an incredible ability to capture the most minute detail, making it unsurpassed in collectible manufacturing materials.

Polystone is a compound made up largely of polyurethane (varnish) resin mixed with powdered stone additives that give it added weight and the porcelain or "stone-like" feel that resulted in the materials name itself. Polystone is durable and highly effective at maintaining a sharp paint finish. Unlike porcelain which is fired in an oven, Polystone is a cold-cast material in which no heat is used in the manufacturing process, resulting in much greater variations of paint finish.

It distorts at temperature 86C or 176F. I live here in Arizona and the highest temperature it went was 120F. I have some of my KC stuff stored in the garage and they did not distort. To play it safe, avoid direct sunlight.


N-P

 

[Guy]

It's the polyurethane that can distort. Not the powdered stone . The powdered stone is marble. In roman ruins the marble survived for over two thousand years under all weather conditions . So do not worry too much . You will be able to take your polystone models with you into your retirement home .
guy

 

[Mitch]

I have never heard of any horror stories about polystone. Its one of the two main reasons why K&C are still using it
Mitch

 

[Cyber Field Marshall]

One of the reasons I buy a lot of K&C product instead of their competitors is due to their use of polystone. I believe it too be more durable than various resins and plastic combinations. I recently was tempted to buy a warbird from another manufacturer but when I heard it was mainly resin I changed my mind. At today's prices I don't want to take any chances. {sm2}

 

[HAWKEYE]

Andy addressed this issue at the treefrog dinner and laid to rest any concerns about polystone

 

[Alex]

actually, i do think that most resin will liquify at around 50-60oC
So you really have to be very careful with those pieces.

That's why i prefer metal figures..

thanks

alex

 

[Rob]

I find AFV's made in Polystone to be solid, sturdy and not fragile . I purchased my first probably about seven years ago and have not had a single problem with cracking, splitting or warping, in all that time theyve been displayed in a warm sunny office. As Mitch said I have not heard any complaints of such problems myself, for me Polystone remains the top.

Rob

 

[Blowtorch]

I find AFV's made in Polystone to be solid, sturdy and not fragile .

There is one exception...some tracks. I bought a recent PzIV & III to find the tracks broken. This I believe this is the limit of polystone...it is very inflexible & brittle, so you can only go so thin. On the current PzIV & III models, the tracks are thin & unsupported. I suspect the breakage occurs after the model is put into the box, and the boxes get stacked one on top of another. If the styrofoam track cavity isn't cut deep enough on the bottom (where the tracks sit), then the top styrofoam panel presses down on the model, the track has nowhere to go except snap.

 

[ollie_drab]

Thanks all for the insights, great food for thought! I remember also hearing about the Styrofoam form causing packing-stress on the thinner areas on tank tracks, as well. Thanks again!

 

[ollie_drab]

Thanks all for the insight...I will stop loosing sleep with confidence my collections will be safe! Many thanks!

 

[joesgis]

Polystone is a manufacturing medium used for cast sculptures, it is hard to find one that delivers a cleaner, more substantial representation of an original sculpture than a product manufactured in Polystone. Polystone has a significant weight, a porcelain like feel to the touch, and an incredible ability to capture the most minute detail, making it unsurpassed in collectible manufacturing materials.

Polystone is a compound made up largely of polyurethane (varnish) resin mixed with powdered stone additives that give it added weight and the porcelain or "stone-like" feel that resulted in the materials name itself. Polystone is durable and highly effective at maintaining a sharp paint finish. Unlike porcelain which is fired in an oven, Polystone is a cold-cast material in which no heat is used in the manufacturing process, resulting in much greater variations of paint finish.

It distorts at temperature 86C or 176F. I live here in Arizona and the highest temperature it went was 120F. I have some of my KC stuff stored in the garage and they did not distort. To play it safe, avoid direct sunlight.


N-P

Thanks for the info N-P!

 

[MapleLeaf]

Thanks for info noli-poli
Very interesting to know
Thank u