The Energon Pub

Related to this topic:

fixing-split-rubber-tires-t89130.php

Given that this problem is prevalent since G1 and bleeding over to most of the Japanese releases (so in a sense mix blessing for recent releases without rubber tires)

Just giving y'all a heads up after inspecting my display pieces.

1. For those who own (including the most recent releases of the G1 seeker molds) GET your rubber/plastic protecting items ( I use an item mentioned in the previous topic) in high gear. Their nose cones are like, sticky, leaving finger prints like consistency. Treat them NOW!

2. G1 Shockwave 'nuff said.

3. The "Big Convoy" mold, do take care of his trunk. For those who are planning to get the limited Ultra Magnus version, well you know what to do 'cause mine has the same sticky feel to it (mine btw is the Japanese Big Convoy)

4. MP Convoy.No signs yet but given how touch and go the QC was on the subsequent re-issues.

5. BInaltech/Alternity/Kiss Players/Alternators..........how I love/hate rubber

6.The penny racers.

7. Encore and G1 cars (include the 1986 Autobots) Wreck-gar, Hotspot and Optimus Prime/UM too. Don't forget the rubber tire version of Metroflex

8. Powered masters (and Star Convoy too(especially the re-issue)

9. RID Fire Convoy and God Magnus (especially the international versions).

Again, this is just a heads up not do I endorse or get any monetary benefits from a particular brand of rubber protector, just personal on hand experience. You may find alternatives too and follow the manufacturers' instructions to protect your prized pieces. And noticed that it (the whitening effect on the rubber tires is more noticeable on the recent issues (2001 up)

Btw, to any chemists out there (calling Counterpunch,iirc your wife is a chemist) the primary contents of the product I use are the following:

"water, PDMS, diethylene glycol, glycerin, and various other chemical compounds"

Can you inquire from your wife if these items are good for rubber?

also dont forget armada scavenger. i already had to replace mine once. and soon again. still dont know how to fix those damn treads.

So even during the Armada line, HasTak continued to use rubber parts? Fascinating!

Almost have my BD in chemistry - essentially whatever your product is using, the main ingredient is the PDMS or polydimethylsiloxane, the glycerin and deg is there as a solvent. Think it's viable for rubber restoration but my words won't do anything until you test it our yourself.

@ Blurrz

Another "Perceptor" among us?

Anyway without appearing as an unsolicited advertisement, I've been using ArmorAll Made in the Good old U.S. of A!

Thanks for the feedback too!

I've still got all my G1 figures from my childhood, they were put through the paces, and many had rubber tires, but I've never noticed any degradation on them. However, I did recently get my hands on a few G2 figures from the 90's, and they all have splitting tires, all of them. Was there a difference in the rubber quality between the two decades?

I don't own a spectrometer dohickey but I believe there MIGHT be differences owing to my G1 1985 pieces though kind of dry didn't exhibit any signs of whitening while my TFC/Encore TFs + UM re-issue have all gone white (exception to the "dessert dog" tires of Encore Convoy).