Safe temp for storage (2 Viewers)

[zblang]

I am moving my boxes to the attic. Not figures, just boxes. At what temperature do you think the foam would start breaking down up there. Just went up now and it's warm. My fear is the summer when it'll actually be hot up there. Any guesses??

 

[jazzeum]

I've had tons of boxes stored in bins in our attic for years and the temperature (whether extremely hot or cold) hasn't affected them.

 

[Toy Soldier Brigade]

Your better off in the basement if possible. Your attic can get over 100 degrees in the summer.

 

[zblang]

Basement is damp. Unfortunately I think I just have to stack more than I wanted. Was trying to keep them one box deep for ease of finding stuff

 

[jazzeum]

I had mine in bins but they were disorganized. Late last year I brought them all down and organized them by company and then by range. It makes finding the box you might need a lot easier.

 

[zblang]

Yup! I have all of mine on a spread sheet and then each large box is numbered. Anal, but works

 

[jazzeum]

I'm not that organized but you do have to have a system. I do know some who have a different type of system: toss the boxes!

 

[Toy Soldier Brigade]

Climate Controled box storage.

 

[marco55]

Never understood throwing out the boxes.I understand the space problem but even if you never sell them a lot of people don't display all their figures at one time and the boxes they came in are the best thing to store them in.
Mark

 

[BLReed]

There are many different types of foam used. It all breaks down regardless. It has nothing to do with temperature. Some is highly flammable unless treated. Using "unknown" polyfoam is of concern since so much of it comes from China which in some cases is exporting some very questionable foam in terms of off-gassing, durability, and fire retardancy issues.

The nice thing about high level Russian figures is that they don't come with collectible packaging.

You might want to talk to your local Fire Department about where to store. Some will do a free fire safety inspection.

 

[zblang]

Didn't even think of fire! Good thoughts. That sure is a lot of kindling!

 

[bradleyl30]

Didn't even think of fire! Good thoughts. That sure is a lot of kindling!

I have had boxes and foam in my attic in VA for years and no issues with boxes or foam. I am in the process of packing up for a local move and everything seems fine. Also sold stuff and had to repackage it and everything was fine. FL, Figarti, Aeroart, K&C and TGM boxes and foam all good.

 

[jazzeum]

There are many different types of foam used. It all breaks down regardless. It has nothing to do with temperature. Some is highly flammable unless treated. Using "unknown" polyfoam is of concern since so much of it comes from China which in some cases is exporting some very questionable foam in terms of off-gassing, durability, and fire retardancy issues.

The nice thing about high level Russian figures is that they don't come with collectible packaging.

You might want to talk to your local Fire Department about where to store. Some will do a free fire safety inspection.

Do you have a citation or reference for the above. Polyurethane and Polyethylene foam, which is what may be used in packing for today's toy soldiers, are quite durable and do not tend to break down from what I have read, which is good news for toy soldiers but not the environment.

 

[BLReed]

Do you have a citation or reference for the above. .

I Googled "foam flammable" and some other terms. Most of what I wrote was copy and paste. Suggest you do the same.
Like I said talk to your local Fire Department.

A couple of results:

http://www.acousticsfirst.com/acoustical-foam-flamibility-fire-ratings.htm

http://www.scaletree.com/foamsafety.html

 

[Toy Soldier Brigade]

Never understood throwing out the boxes.I understand the space problem but even if you never sell them a lot of people don't display all their figures at one time and the boxes they came in are the best thing to store them in.
Mark

At one time I had no choice, but to toss them. I had limited space. I moved 9 years ago and now I have lot's of room, and keep them all. When your space is limited the decision is do I keep empty boxes or buy new figures. The thing I never understood is why someone would rent a storage space for empty boxes. I've sold lot's of my collection over the years and really never saw much of a price difference selling with or without the boxes.

 

[jazzeum]

I Googled "foam flammable" and some other terms. Most of what I wrote was copy and paste. Suggest you do the same.
Like I said talk to your local Fire Department.

A couple of results:

http://www.acousticsfirst.com/acoustical-foam-flamibility-fire-ratings.htm

http://www.scaletree.com/foamsafety.html

I think the foam referenced in your links is not the same material that companies like K & C and First Legion use.

 

[BLReed]

I think the foam referenced in your links is not the same material that companies like K & C and First Legion use.

There were several other references. Who knows what they use. The cheapest they can find in China.
Like I said twice already-----Talk to your local Fire Department.

I keep my attic clear of trash, and don't expect my kids have to clean out the attic, basement, garage and etc to get
a few dollars on eBay.

 

[jazzeum]

I'm not as concerned with the issue as the packing materials don't deteriorate. Moreover, it's not a question of enhancing value on eBay but also a practical question if you move. It's a lot easier and safer to move toy soldiers if you have the boxes than if not.

 

[Artillery_crazy]

Well you are lucky! Tried storing mine, but guess what I live in the tropics....so the boxes have survived quite well the years, now the story on the foam inside varies...most have desintegrated...melted..{sm3}{sm3}{sm3}
So keep then in dry and not hot places..
Cheers
Luiz

 

[TomNT]

You might be ok Zach, depends if you have high humidity where you live which I'm guessing you don't. Humidity is the biggest destroyer of packaging as I live in a hot and humid climate and both combined doesn't fair well for packaging. If you just have a dry heat during summer then I'm guessing it will be ok in your attic although I'm not completely sure on that.

Tom