The Energon Pub

Gold Plastic Syndrome AKA: GPS has been the bane of many a X-former collector.

Some of the most sought out toys suffer from this curse and inevitably drive up the cost even more. YES, I'm talking to you Black Zarak.

However, is there a way to prevent this from happening from a toy that is prone to GPS?

Is it possible to "seal" the toy to prevent it from happening?

If we use clear nail polish, or the like, to seal in all the GPS areas, would this prevent breakage from happening?

Or, is the damage created inside and all the sealant would do is hold it together until the slightest vibration sends the whole thing crumbling down?



I understand (somewhat) that GPS is caused by the chemical(s) mixed with the paint in the mould, that become brittle and crack after time. Heat, light, and humidity may all play a part in this, however, I am not sure if it has been documented.



I would appreciate some feedback from the community on their opinions of GPS and if anyone has tried to prevent breakage from some of their favourite toys?


What has worked and what has caused horrible side effects.


With the help of all, maybe we could find a solution to this horrible condition of our collected, collecting habits.



Thank You,


DREWCIFER

Resign your fate mein freund. There is no escape from GPS (darn it)

I've been able to piece together parts of the blue Gladiator Voltron with the Last Glue with some success. It's not gold, but it suffers from the same disease. By using a good glue and care you could stretch the life of a GPS infected toy for years even.

Sadly, there is no cure for GPS. All those toys are doomed to be more fragile and to live a shorter life than other toys of the same age. Unless you donate to our foundation which supports scientists around the world who are actively reaserching the disease int he hopes of finding a vaccine ... or even a cure.

Together we CAN cure GPS.

Maybe it would be best to remove the infected part and clone it by making a mold and casting it in resin. Paint it gold and replace it. Not a cure but an option.

No cure. It's terminal.

DREWCIFER wrote:Is it possible to "seal" the toy to prevent it from happening?

Nope. It's basically a form of plastic rot where the binder starts wearing off. Case in point: even MISB Black Zaraks have pieces broken off.

If we use clear nail polish, or the like, to seal in all the GPS areas, would this prevent breakage from happening?

Or, is the damage created inside and all the sealant would do is hold it together until the slightest vibration sends the whole thing crumbling down?

See above. Note that clear nail polish is used for a different problem altogether. It's not a miracle cure

I understand (somewhat) that GPS is caused by the chemical(s) mixed with the paint in the mould, that become brittle and crack after time. Heat, light, and humidity may all play a part in this, however, I am not sure if it has been documented

TFWiki is my best friend, and yours

Mykltron wrote:Maybe it would be best to remove the infected part and clone it by making a mold and casting it in resin. Paint it gold and replace it. Not a cure but an option.

I'd say do this. At least while the part is good and you are still able to make a viable mold from it. Otherwise you'll have a heck of a time trying to reconstruct its' likeness when it goes.

Every time I look at Electro, I wish I could get my hands on his pink and white KO I saw on a site somewhere years ago.

GPS aka Corrodia Gravis aka Cosmic Rust

Yup no cure. And even if you were to clear coat it someway, in order for the part to be strong enough so the outer clear coat won't break, would make the part thicker and could affect articulation and transformation.

I have a question: will Cybertron Dark Scorponok eventually suffer from GPS?

The last known suffers of GPS were in the Beast Wars line, AFIAK. That's not to say that newer toys can't have problems (MP Megs, anyone?) but GPS seems to have run it's course.

Armada Optimus Prime(the one that docks with the trailer Supermode)has the d@mn elbows break for no apparent reason...........ohhh yes, it's molded in gold color plastic

fenrir72 wrote:Armada Optimus Prime(the one that docks with the trailer Supermode)has the d@mn elbows break for no apparent reason...........ohhh yes, it's molded in gold color plastic

I have 5 of this toy and I have no idea what you're talking about.

fenrir72 wrote:Armada Optimus Prime(the one that docks with the trailer Supermode)has the d@mn elbows break for no apparent reason...........ohhh yes, it's molded in gold color plastic

That's not GPS as far as I know. If you had read the TFWiki, you'd know the breakages caused by GPS are clean (no jagged adges), and sometimes it just crumbles. Not all Gold Plastic has GPS, you know? I do know the elbow pieces are thin and easily snapped.

The very latest case I know of is the RiD Megabolt repaint, the teal and green one, and even that one's very mild.

Counterpunch wrote:

fenrir72 wrote:Armada Optimus Prime(the one that docks with the trailer Supermode)has the d@mn elbows break for no apparent reason...........ohhh yes, it's molded in gold color plastic

I have 5 of this toy and I have no idea what you're talking about.

This response amuses me. Because you have 5.

@ Counterpunch.You mean to say your Armada Supermode Optimus Prime cab(the big glorified remote) has never broken an elbow? You must be one lucky *** figuratively speaking. 'cause I owned two of it which broke(not jagged breaking as J.GoldRabbit opined )at the elbows. It just broke and it's gold color mold. Luckily I also got myself the Japanese Superlink Convoy version(yellow elbows and speaks in Japanese too) which hasn't failed me yet. It isn't then thinness that's the problem but cursed materials used.

kirbenvost wrote:

Counterpunch wrote:

fenrir72 wrote:Armada Optimus Prime(the one that docks with the trailer Supermode)has the d@mn elbows break for no apparent reason...........ohhh yes, it's molded in gold color plastic

I have 5 of this toy and I have no idea what you're talking about.

This response amuses me. Because you have 5.

Not pictured: Micron Legends Super Convoy

fenrir72 wrote::shock: @ Counterpunch.You mean to say your Armada Supermode Optimus Prime cab(the big glorified remote) has never broken an elbow? You must be one lucky *** figuratively speaking. 'cause I owned two of it which broke(not jagged breaking as J.GoldRabbit opined )at the elbows. It just broke and it's gold color mold. Luckily I also got myself the Japanese Superlink Convoy version(yellow elbows and speaks in Japanese too) which hasn't failed me yet. It isn't then thinness that's the problem but cursed materials used.

I'd like to see pictures of the break. I'm not even sure how it could happen honestly.

It was like waaaaaaaaaaay back in 2004. It was just released in my country and I bought one initially. It broke after just transforming it into robot mode, managed to have it replaced(retail store)but when it broke again(mind you I'm ultra careful) so I sold it off. And bought myself the japanese version from a specialty shop. Just a little warning, just keep them in robot mode and minimize manipulating the hands.(That is when you transform the cab into his default robot mode, the gold colored elbow plastics are the culprit,once in Supermode, well no problems at his elbows)

It also surprised me too why it broke
I also have another broken story which I repaired( Superlink Grand Convoy (okay no gold plastic BUT you know the wind shield cum chest chamber? Well the hinge that connects it to the body just broke.......just like that )Unfortunately I can no longer replace it with another unit because, well it's quite expensive to find on the secondary market so I had to just suffer the fate and super glued the part.

Another case was Supercon Optimus, his mini-con partner Overrun, well the hinge that connects the wing also broke for no apparent reason ...used Bulldog Superglue but it's wings won't be doing any transformation anymore(just got myself another Micron Legend version)

Last but not the least, Prowl 2 (the blue color version), well I just transformed him and the ball joint that becomes part of his shoulder just frickin' broke?

Sold it off again.

I don't know what the problem is, could global warming/climate change be the culprit or just cruddy plastic? materials.

fenrir72 wrote:Another case was Supercon Optimus, his mini-con partner Overrun, well the hinge that connects the wing also broke for no apparent reason ...used Bulldog Superglue but it's wings won't be doing any transformation anymore(just got myself another Micron Legend version)

This I can verify, that joint is absurdly tight.

That is a lot of Armada Primes.


And a lot of breakage, fenrir72. I'm surprised, the only figure I've had break like that so far is RiD Prowl (the white one)... the ball joint on his door broke, but I know it's because I was purposely mis-transforming him.

I can honestly say that the only figures I've owned that suffered from GPS were BW Magnaboss's Silverbolt and two of Transmetal Megatron (BPS, actually).

Between those three, I have successfully repaired both TM Megatrons with a powerful Krazy Glue. Their waists detached the torso from their legs, and the parts that the shoulder connect to broke off. But with a trusty screwdriver, some tubes of Krazy Glue, and some caution, I was able to mend both Emperors of Destruction back into their whole selves (well, one Megs is still missing a T-Rex arm that I still gotta look for).

And as far as I know, my Armada Super Optimus Prime is still intact.

@kirbenvost that really sucks, all those breakages and I was very careful too.

Last but not the least, MP-01 Convoy, Megatron stock accessory, broke off for no apparent reason.

Sabrblade wrote:I can't honestly say that the only figures I've owned that suffered from GPS were BW Magnaboss's Silverbolt and two of Transmetal Megatron (BPS, actually).

I have the Japanese version of Magnaboss, I'll have to have a looksee.

fenrir72 wrote:@kirbenvost that really sucks, all those breakages and I was very careful too.

Last but not the least, MP-01 Convoy, Megatron stock accessory, broke off for no apparent reason.

Man, you've got bad luck, it seems.

My Magnaboss SIlverbolt hasn't broken, but I have the Takara version. Is there a difference? And yeah, my TM Megatron broke in half. I got him simply standing, not moving at all. Maybe I should look into getting the Takara version of him too.