Collecting action figures has become an extremely popular hobby their introduction by Hasbro in the 60's.
In fact many action figures are now produced specifically for the adult collectors market. This increased popularity of the hobby can be attributed to several different factors:
o Yesterday's kids are today's collectors
o Availability
o Affordability
o Sense of Community
o Fun Factor
Today's market is very different to that of yesteryear though and with the increased interest in the hobby and there are now several companies, e.g. McFarlane's, Sideshow, Neca and Art Asylum, who cater specifically to the adult collectors market and there is a whole industry of paraphernalia and accessories that has grown up around it.
4 Easy Ways To Protect Your Action Figures
There are several measures you should take in order to protect your figures, especially your loose figures, to ensure they stay in as mint or pristine a condition as possible.
What should you do to protect your action figures?
First and most importantly, when they're not in use or being stored, you should remove any batteries.
It never ceases to amaze me the number of people who forget this simple, yet important procedure and as a result I have seen many action that have been ruined by battery acid leaking out from the batteries because they haven't been removed.
Avoid handling them
Your hands and fingers have a lot of natural greases and oils which maybe good for your skin but are unfortunately far from healthy for your action figures.
Avoid direct sunlight
One of the biggest problems, and most common, amongst collectors is damage caused by the UV rays from direct sunlight.
Ensure They Are Stored At The Right Humidity:
The humidity of the environment is another important factor to take into account when displaying or storing your action figures.
Remove price tags:
Hopefully, if you've bought your action figure from a reputable dealer the price tag will be on the plastic shell making it easy to remove with warm, please note I say warm NOT hot, water.
5 Ways To Store Your Action Figures Safely
Taking care of, protecting and storing your action figures is of tantamount importance if you wish them to keep their value, whether it's of sentimental or financial value.
One of the most important factors to take into account when storing your action figures are their value.
One of the big benefits of the rise in the popularity of action figure collecting as a hobby is that there are now several companies that specialize in ways to store and protect your collectibles.
There are several alternatives to choose from depending on why you want to store them, how long for and their value.
o Sealed Storage Containers
These are for action figures at the high end of the market. By this I mean action figures that are worth $100's or $1,000's.
Sealed containers are usually used by grading companies to ensure that the items are kept in their graded condition.
o Display Cases
Ideal for both storing and displaying your action figures they are often "stackable" for added flexibility and storage.
Another big advantage is that they allow you easier access for periodical cleaning and maintenance of your action figures.
o Plastic Shell Cases
These are probably one of the most practical solutions as they offer excellent protection, are affordable and can be used for both loose and carded figures.
o Re-sealable Containers
Re-sealable containers have several advantages, they are cheap, generally hard wearing, available in a variety of shapes and sizes, and are easy to store and access.
o Re-sealable bags
Re-sealable bags are probably the cheapest, easiest and most convenient way of storing your action figures but they don't offer them much protection.
Be careful!
If you are using large containers to store more than one action figure make sure you wrap each figure with a cloth or bubble wrap to help protect them and to prevent them rubbing against each other and causing damage.
4 Things To Check Before Storing My Action Figures
OK, so now you know how protect and store your action figures what will you do with them now? where should you store them?
There are three very important factors to consider when deciding where to store your action figures:
o Sunlight-
The amount of direct sunlight your action figures are exposed to is a very important factor in deciding where to store them.
o Humidity
Humidity is the measure of moisture in the air. The greater the humidity the more moisture there is present.
o Temperature-
If the air is too cold your action figures will become brittle and if it's too hot they will become warped and disfigured.
Where is the best place to store your action figures?
Mmm,
So we need to find somewhere away from the sun but isn't to dark to see your action figures, somewhere where it is not too dry, or too damp and isn't too hot or cold.
What place in your home fits all these criteria?
The basement?
No, too cold and damp.
How about the attic, or loft?
No, again too cold and damp.
I know, how about a closet or cupboard in the main house?
This is the ideal place main houe as the temperature and environment are generally ambient and consistent and they will be shut away from the damaging UV rays of the sunlight.
One more hint, try to use a closet or cupboard that only you use or they may get damaged by others trying to get to something else.
And don't forget to clearly mark or label, on all four sides as well as the top, any boxes or containers you use with what's inside.
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