For over 40 years the Star Wars phenomenon has captivated a multitude of people. The beloved space opera has captured the imaginations of fans all over the world and throughout those years, incredible merchandise has been released to further feed the fandom. Foremost amongst these merchandise are the action figures.
Ever since the first Star Wars action figures were released by Kenner toys way back in the 1970s, the ball has kept rolling nonstop. Now millions of action figures are created to satiate the ever-growing need of fans. But amongst the multitude of action figures, there are a select few that could be called classics. True vintage Star Wars toys. So if you have one of these action figures in your possession, it goes without saying that you should keep it in mint condition. Here are 6 tips for preserving your vintage Star
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Keep them in their boxes
One of the most basic and important rules of toy collecting is that you should never, ever take it out of the box. Taking the toy out of the box significantly lowers its value. It designates the toy to “loose” status, and it will be harder to resell it. Sadly this is the case for some of the older classic toys because the kid who got the toys had no concept of toy collecting. They just wanted to play with them. Little did they know that 40 years later, these toys would amount to a small fortune. So if you are lucky enough to have vintage Star Wars action figures that are still in their boxes, then keep them in their boxes.
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Keep them away from direct sunlight
If you’ve collected action figures for some time, you would know about the yellowing effect. This is the occurrence where parts of an action figure are turned a yellowish tinge. This usually happens when the toy is exposed to direct sunlight, and a chemical reaction occurs. The process is called photodegradation and it is caused by being regularly exposed to sunlight. It is especially prevalent among loose figures because they don’t have any protection against direct sunlight, although some packaged action figures are still vulnerable to this effect. So if you are going to put your action figures on display, make sure that they are in a shaded area of your house, without any direct contact with sunlight.
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Store loose action figures in specialized glass containers
As it was stated earlier, loose figures are particularly vulnerable to sunlight but they are also very vulnerable to oxygen. If an action figure has been around for a long time, it would likely have absorbed a lot of oxygen through the years. There are certain chemicals in older action figures that react negatively to oxygen, which can turn certain parts of the action figure yellowish or even brown. This is why you should take the necessary steps to keep your loose figures as airtight as possible.
One of the most effective ways to do this is to have glass containers specially made for the figures. These glass containers should have an airtight valve that can keep air out of the container. There are beer bottle manufacturers such as RoetelI that specialize in custom made glassware. They have a myriad of great selections and can cater to almost any glassware needs. They can even customize the jars to have tinted glass so the sunlight won’t be able to get in.
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Use plastic containers for your packed action figures
If your vintage Star Wars toys are still in their original packaging, then you will have an easier time preserving them. The fact that they are in their packaging protects the toys from dust and water damage. But most packaging has paper elements that can also get damaged. They may get scratched or torn off, or just because of aging the paper packaging may just fall off.
There are custom made containers specifically made to store packaged action figures. If you want to make sure that no dust or water gets in your action figures, the best way is to vacuum seal them. Vacuum sealing is the same process used by meatpacking companies to preserve their products. You can send your collectibles to vacuum sealing service providers or if you have the equipment you can do it yourself.
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Clean them regularly
Whether your action figures are loose or packed it is important that you clean them on a regular basis. When you clean your loose figure, it is important that you are as careful as possible. Don’t just haphazardly throw them into a bowl of water, and say they are clean. Remember that some of the older figures have a different type of paint and decals that may come off if you get them wet. Instead, it is better to get a slightly damp cloth and then just meticulously wiping them down.
The same goes for your packaged action figures, don’t get them wet or use overly strong chemicals. Instead, it is better that you just stick with the old washcloth and wipe it free of dust or moisture. It is also important that you clean their display area of dust or bits of food. This may attract vermin or ants and can potentially cause damage to your collection.
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Wear gloves when you handle them
When you handle your action figures, it is very important that you wear gloves. Remember that your fingers have oils that can damage your action figure. So whether you are cleaning your collection or just showing them off to a friend, make it a habit to wear gloves.
Conclusion
All these precautions may seem tedious to an outsider, but for a true collector, these are all necessary steps. You know that your Star Wars action figures are worth a fortune, and you should do your best to keep them as safe as possible.