Storage?
 

Not sure if this is the right sub section, but I've recently run out of space for most of my collection. It varies from Marvel Legends, Transformers, Play Arts etc.

I bought a large rubbermaid type container to store everything in for now. A lot of stuff is still boxed and I'm hoping they'll be alright in there? Basically trying to prevent things from happening to it while being stored away in the basement for the time being.

Basically I'm just wondering if this is a good solution and if you guys have any tips.

Re: Storage?
 

I would not store in a basement unless it was climate controlled. Keeping it in a dark storage bin is good too.

The other more controversial suggestion would be to sell some of it. Try to keep the items you love most on display. If it's not awesome enough to display, perhaps it's not awesome enough to keep. You'll find that after collecting for MANY years, sometimes the collection just gets too big to keep control of, and the fun somehow become more of a burden. Just a thought.

Re: Storage?
 

one container? oh my... you're still a pup.

I'm at least 4 large containers, 3 or 4 large dressers, 3 closets (two just half), and more storage for a few more elsewhere, plus probably a good 500+ figures displayed on my office and bedroom.

Now that said, I do have them all in a dry and cool environment, and the loose items wrapped in paper towels or bubble wrap. Overall, I only have a few that yellowed due to age, some had poor plastic that can end up crumbling, but that just time and age, can't prevent it.


So as long as they are in such environment, they should be fine.

Re: Storage?
 

Like a hoarder

Re: Storage?
 

:rofl:

If you only at 4 then I gotta call you a pup lol. I got way more than that but fortunately it's just the higher end figure boxes but needed a laugh so thanks :highfive:

Re: Storage?
 

My brother's G1 stuff has been stored loose in a light blue Rubbermaid tote for 25+ years in a closet on Vancouver Island in a non-air conditioned house and everything is still fine when I raid it for something.

My GI Joes were in the same totes in a non-temperature controlled attic and the higher/lower temperatures did 2 things over about 20 years.

1) Vinyl label adhesive gassed and put bubbles throughout the the underside of the labels, stretching them out.

2) Soft clear plastic parts softened in the heat and re-hardened in the wrong shape. (Dragonfly cockpit cover, TTBP windscreen)

Everything else came out in perfect shape though if the plastic had higher UV exposure before it went into the tote, it was discoloured once it came out. It's my understanding higher temperatures can perhaps accelerate this but the UV exposure is the true culprit.

Our house never had fluorescent lighting and the TFs never really went outside so here's a short list of G1 bots in the tote for an idea of materials in question (assume all weapons are present)

Optimus Prime
Jazz
Windcharger
Soundwave
Dirge
Slag
Sunstreaker
Superion
Mixmaster
Scrapper
Shrapnel
Blaster
Omega Supreme
Beachcomber
Inferno
Swindle
Vortex
Blurr
Crosshairs

Re: Storage?
 

To keep them fresh, I put them in ziplop bags and then in large rubbermaid containers. I have a crawl space full of them. It helps to label each full box in case you need to find something in the future.

Re: Storage?
 

I"m getting that you mean boxed figures for yourself, for my collection I'm talking about loose figures. Otherwise if I'd keep the boxes, I'd fill up at least two rooms (probably more) from floor to ceiling. It's crazy how you don't see it happening but after over 40 years, it does add up.

Re: Storage?
 

The only thing I can say with this method, from experience is to check on them every 2 to 3 years. I've found that the ziplock bags, regardless of brand I've bought becomes brittle and eventually tears.

I use this method ranging from Marvel Legends, Transformers, Mattel DC and WWE figures,GI Joe and Lego. My Star Wars may never get displayed again. Forgot to check on them and the accessories are, well let's say it rhymes with cluster duck, in the bottom of the 2 boxes i have for their storage.

Re: Storage?
 

Careful with Ziploc bags though. There's a debate as to whether or not they release acid that can damage the plastic. There are certain types of "archival" quality acid-free bags available if you believe there's a difference. They're polypropylene bags if you're looking. A guy who worked at a museum once told me that for larger items, plain plastic grocery bags are safe as long as you don't let the inked side touch anything.

Re: Storage?
 

Debate is fine and all, but I'd like to see some damage actually caused by one. I've been using them for Lego since 1996 and for action figures since 2001 or 2002. Like I said in the previous post, the only thing that happens is that they get brittle and tear easy by accessories. I have yet to see any actual damage. Until something is provable, I'm not going to waste my time on archival bags.

Although that is the one thing I find handy about the Transformers lines now. With places to put accessories, you just need something to prevent them from scratching up the paint job on other TFs. No need for storage bags.

Re: Storage?
 

It's not really a debate, it's been proven. The plastics eat away at each other is what i remember. From research I did before LEGO is made from different type of plastic then your average action figure so Ziplocs are fine. A good option is to wrap your figure in tissue or newspaper if you are putting them in regular bags.



Sorry trying to find the articles I read a couple years ago but can't find them.





I bought my bags form 3.75 and 6inch figures here. clearbags.ca (although it doesn't look like the site is working atm) 0.05-0.10 per bag. Buy in bulk for a better discount.

Re: Storage?
 

If you have something made of plastic that gets brittle and breaks apart, you can be sure that I wouldn't let that sort of thing close to any of my figures in storage.

I've wrapped my figures is paper towels, bubble wrap or foam sheets without any incident or any degradation after decades, my worse scenario is after going through my collection every-so-often, the paper does end up needing replacing due to manipulation and just not being very solid to start with, especially with items that have sharp/pointy parts.

I'd never use anything that I'd see any signs of degradation as it's a certainty that it can have an effect on anything that it's in contact with. You might not see it, but it's happening and by the time you'd see it, it would be too late.

Re: Storage?
 

Hmm... kinda glad I read this seeing as many of the accessories that came with my MP's are each in labeled, individual, ziplock bags............. Glad they haven't been in them for very long.

Re: Storage?
 

+1. There is such a thing as "too much". Having a larger number of figures decreases my appreciation for each one, I find. Personally, I've always felt that, if someone has more figures (or stuff of any kind) than they have room for, they may want to adjust their priorities. Because at a certain point, collecting does just become hoarding. If you have rooms in your home you can't enter cause they're stacked to the ceiling with stuff, you may have a problem.

Re: Storage?
 

And by problem... you must mean that you obviously need to get a bigger place? ;)

Re: Storage?
 

Absolutely!

;)

Re: Storage?
 

Appreciate all the advice, my dudes.

I'm not at hoarder status...yet. I don't have a large collection and I have considered selling but it's a lot of common stuff that likely isn't worth the effort of selling.

Re: Storage?
 

I never have that happen over 10 years.

Re: Storage?
 

As others have stated, getting rid of some of your collection is usually your best bet when space begins to become an issue. Just go through your collection and sort out what you really can't part with it versus stuff that you don't care for.

Storage bins usefully work for me. I don't use bubble wrap or ziploc's since I keep almost all my figures in their original packaging (even after I open them).

Re: Storage?
 

I find the best way to sell more common figures is as a lot, usually including a less common figure to make it worth it, and ensure it sells.

Re: Storage?
 

I am now gearing towards G1, MP-class and “Generations” theme for TFs so I am selling off my other stuffs slowly at TFCons and what not, even for some really nice stuffs like Animated, Prime, etc. I even sold some MISB TF stuffs that I didn’t open online here or on eBay if I knew I will never get to open them.

Having said that I still have a few plastic bins of loose figures.