Do plastic cradles "hurt" our models over the years?

Rudi · 03-16-2007, 01:10 PM

Many of us collectors run out of space to display the models (or never had any space so far). So the models live in the dark, the boxes. This means contact with the plastic cradles for years.

What about the plasticizers, the chemicals? Did you ever check your oldest models? Did anything happen to the paint? Changed colors, yellowing or even pressure marks because the chemicals made the paint pliant?

ELY707 · 03-16-2007, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rudi

Many of us collectors run out of space to display the models (or never had any space so far). So the models live in the dark, the boxes. This means contact with the plastic cradles for years.
What about the plasticizers, the chemicals? Did you ever check your oldest models? Did anything happen to the paint? Changed colors, yellowing or even pressure marks because the chemicals made the paint pliant?

My only complaint is with Dragon. Some of their models come in a cradle where the model is snapped in so tightly that they get scuffed badly when removed. I haven't noticed anything with my older models due to aging.

dboyd001 · 03-17-2007, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rudi

Many of us collectors run out of space to display the models (or never had any space so far). So the models live in the dark, the boxes. This means contact with the plastic cradles for years.
What about the plasticizers, the chemicals? Did you ever check your oldest models? Did anything happen to the paint? Changed colors, yellowing or even pressure marks because the chemicals made the paint pliant?

.....I have a few of these cradles that are yellowing. Sooner or later if they do that they will become brittle, crack, break and then the problem will be solved... no cradle.
.....I'd suspect some harm could come of a cradle that still has release agents on it or made from poorer quality material (maybe my yellowing ones are in that category). It would be a lot of work to thoroughly wash all the cradles (especially if you have a large collection) and may not make any difference anyway.
.....More harm may come to models that are in an environment where they are exposed to airborne chemicals, excess heat/cold, light, etc. The "salty" air near the ocean may be invigorating to us, but bad for models (the real aircraft too, just ask aviation maintenance people on an aircraft carrier).
.....Another problem for models is the quality of the material they were made from as pointed out in a very good thread several months ago. I have a Corgi Short Singapore flying boat that was made in the 1940s. The metal body is cracked and very fragile. Not the good quality alloy that most models (I sure won't say all) are made from today.
Dave

b773 · 03-17-2007, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ELY707

My only complaint is with Dragon. Some of their models come in a cradle where the model is snapped in so tightly that they get scuffed badly when removed. I haven't noticed anything with my older models due to aging.

You should check out the cradle GeminiJets has for the A380. Its the most tightess ive come across. DW's is not so bad.

A Tupolev · 03-17-2007, 10:31 AM

I know someone who is a chemist and I had this person do a chemical analysis of the die-cast airplanes and packaging. This person determined that if left in the plastic cradle packaging, after 5.63 years, the plastic would bond to the paint on the plane. When you remove the plane from the cradle after 5.63 years the paint on the die-cast surface will strip off and be bonded to the plastic packaging.

nutsXplanes · 03-17-2007, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A Tupolev

I know someone who is a chemist and I had this person do a chemical analysis of the die-cast airplanes and packaging. This person determined that if left in the plastic cradle packaging, after 5.63 years, the plastic would bond to the paint on the plane. When you remove the plane from the cradle after 5.63 years the paint on the die-cast surface will strip off and be bonded to the plastic packaging.

that's a pretty valuable information. I have posted a note [3M sticky] on every model I have with the note:

BEWARE: Please remove model in 5.6 years from cradle of course I have deducted the time the models have been in storage already. climate, geography and enviromental factors were taken into account.

JOHN JOHNSON · 03-17-2007, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A Tupolev

I know someone who is a chemist and I had this person do a chemical analysis of the die-cast airplanes and packaging. This person determined that if left in the plastic cradle packaging, after 5.63 years, the plastic would bond to the paint on the plane. When you remove the plane from the cradle after 5.63 years the paint on the die-cast surface will strip off and be bonded to the plastic packaging.

As your smoking Catro's cigar and not use decorant. I rather keep my models in crade more than 5.63 years!

dboyd001 · 03-17-2007, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JOHN JOHNSON

As your smoking Catro's cigar and not use decorant. I rather keep my models in crade more than 5.63 years!

.....His location is listed as Russian Vodka Room, NY, NY. The Vodka has many uses to boost the spirits (pun intended) and can be used as a disinfectant and foot deodorizer (as demonstrated on "Mythbusters"). I'm sure Mr. Tupi is aware of all of them.

Dave

A Tupolev · 03-17-2007, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dboyd001

.....His location is listed as Russian Vodka Room, NY, NY. The Vodka has many uses to boost the spirits (pun intended) and can be used as a disinfectant and foot deodorizer (as demonstrated on "Mythbusters"). I'm sure Mr. Tupi is aware of all of them.

Dave

I splash it all over my body. I do smoke Cuban cigars, but they are hand rolled in the USA by Cuban Americans that hate Castro.

gospodin · 03-17-2007, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A Tupolev

I splash it all over my body. I do smoke Cuban cigars, but they are hand rolled in the USA by Cuban Americans that hate Castro.

I always figured you smuggled the cigars over fron your trips to Russia, hiding them in a body cavity or something....

dboyd001 · 03-18-2007, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gospodin

I always figured you smuggled the cigars over fron your trips to Russia, hiding them in a body cavity or something....

.....I might suggest you are thinking of someone else who was known to have cigars inserted into body orifices.

.....Cigars do have a similarity to most aircraft fuselages (depending on the fuselage & cigar of course).

Dave (never smoked a cigar, probably never will)
Vodka and cigar costs just intrude upon my model buying.

fazeman · 03-18-2007, 09:32 AM

Can't offer any advise on the cradles other than to have a larger plastic strip on some of these releases. Some of these strips are too small for the bigger aircraft and will invite scuffing. I think the Herpa foam packing is pretty nifty.

As far as cigars go, I'll take a Rocky Patel Vintage 1992 Churchhill anyday.

A Tupolev · 03-18-2007, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dboyd001

Vodka and cigar costs just intrude upon my model buying.

I understand what you are saying. If I gave up my vodka, cigars and women, I could have a lot more planes. But man does not live by planes alone.
For those interested in a good "Cuban" cigar, here is where I get mine:
http://www.mursulicigars.com/
And as the next question will be what vodka I like to drink will it's here:
http://www.russianstandard.com/
Sorry, I'm not posting pictures of my women.

gospodin · 03-18-2007, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A Tupolev

I understand what you are saying. If I gave up my vodka, cigars and women, I could have a lot more planes. But man does not live by planes alone.
For those interested in a good "Cuban" cigar, here is where I get mine:
Mursuli Cigars
And as the next question will be what vodka I like to drink will it's here:
Russian Standard
Sorry, I'm not posting pictures of my women.

Not much for stinky cigars, but I've always enjoyed a good vodka. I've never encountered Russian Standard, but I like good ol' Stoli with a little jalapeno juice, Absolut is good, too. I've tried several other brands, but don't like their aftertaste. I had Bong Vodka in Amsterdam, not bad, and Grey Goose, but that's more commercial, I think. A nice vodka martini, or straight with a lemon zest are my favorite ways to drink it, besides peppered.

A Tupolev · 03-18-2007, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gospodin

Not much for stinky cigars, but I've always enjoyed a good vodka. I've never encountered Russian Standard, but I like good ol' Stoli with a little jalapeno juice, Absolut is good, too. I've tried several other brands, but don't like their aftertaste. I had Bong Vodka in Amsterdam, not bad, and Grey Goose, but that's more commercial, I think. A nice vodka martini, or straight with a lemon zest are my favorite ways to drink it, besides peppered.

Try the Russian Standard, it's very smooooth!

In California I get mine at Beverages & More.