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Are there measures we can take to minimize the yellowing of white plastic?

PostPosted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 11:45 am
by Kingplay
I know we got obvious ways of dealing with this such as:
1) don't expose it to direct sunlight
2) don't expose it to moisture
3) don't grease it up with your hands, etc

But is there a special means to help?
For instance, if we sprayed on a layer of clear coat acrylic that is used to finish up custom paint jobs, would that help?

I mean I look at the plastic lawn chairs I have...
They are plastic, they are white, and yet they don't yellow.
Is it because they have a special coat layer?

Any input is welcomed! I am trying to figure out a way to preserve my Revoltech Ultra Magnus, it is a great figure that needs to be posed! But I would hate to see it go yellow over the years :(

Best Regards,
Ed

PostPosted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 12:35 pm
by DREWCIFER
Unfortunately as the synthetic material(plastic) degrades, it will turn yellow and brittle.

There is no way to stop it, but you may prolong the life of your toys, by keeping it out of UV light, not smoking around them, and watch the use of chemicals around them.

As for adding something to insulate it, I' don't know, but given enough time all plastics will turn yellow and brittle.

:DEVIL:

PostPosted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 12:40 pm
by Justicity
DJDrew&ScoobyDoo wrote:As for adding something to insulate it, I' don't know, but given enough time all plastics will turn yellow and brittle.

:DEVIL:

Especially thin, yellow ones ^^

PostPosted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 2:12 pm
by SnapTrap
From what I understand, there are certain compounds that are added to the plastic while in its liquid state before it hardens that helps to prevent the colors from yellowing/fading. It depends on what was added, how well it was mixed together and the quality of these compounds. And of course the better the protection, the higher the cost. Since these are kids toys and should probably last 2-10 years in a child's toybox, toy mfgs tend to go a bit cheap on this. The only things you can really do is keep the toy out of the sun or repaint it with a solid color (clear coat won't save it).

PostPosted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 3:45 pm
by GreenLantern of Cybertron
my wheeljack has been on display in a room with a window for forever.

Its still very white.