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Question about kit storage.

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  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: Indiana
Question about kit storage.
Posted by hkshooter on Tuesday, October 19, 2010 7:38 AM

Fellow modelers and hoarders alike,
I have just moved and have a killer attic that would serve well as a model kit storage area. When I voiced my intentions to a friend of mine he warned that the heat could warp the plastic and ruin the decals and advised against it. While I do have a dedicated modeling room now there isn't a lot of room for the stash so I was planning to put the largest of the kits as well as any further purchases upstairs in the finished attic.
I'd like advice and experience from those of you who've done this. Should I or can I do this? If so, how best to do it? Should I not.

Thanks all, for your input.

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Western North Carolina
Posted by Tojo72 on Tuesday, October 19, 2010 8:01 AM

Yes I believe if it is very hot up there,it will warp the plastic,especially the large models,but if it is finished and temperature controlled it should be ok.That would apply for any area you would store them,no temperature extremes. 

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Bridgeview, Illinois
Posted by mg.mikael on Tuesday, October 19, 2010 8:44 AM

hkshooter
to put the largest of the kits as well as any further purchases upstairs in the finished attic.

First off, it depends apon what you mean by 'finished attic'. Is the attic climate controlled? if you slept up there would it be comfortable or unbearable?

"A good plan executed now is better than a perfect plan next week." - George S. Patton

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  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: Indiana
Posted by hkshooter on Tuesday, October 19, 2010 9:00 AM

Not, it's not climate controlled. There are windows and that's about it. There's no way I could sleep up there. My friend recommended that I install a window fan in the summer to pull out heat but that won't really be ideal I don't think, for model storage.
I could install a window unit up there in the summer but that's a lot of money to spend controlling the temp in a place I'll rarely go.

  • Member since
    January 2006
  • From: Sarasota, FL
Posted by RedCorvette on Tuesday, October 19, 2010 9:07 AM

I've got a few things in my attic, but have taken the decals out of the boxes and stored them separately in the house.

Mark

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  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: Hancock, Me USA
Posted by p38jl on Tuesday, October 19, 2010 10:17 AM

I wouldn't chance it.. attics tend to get really hot in the summer.. and really cold in the winter.. the hot will ruin your stash in 1 summer..

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  • Member since
    April 2009
  • From: Carmel, IN
Posted by deafpanzer on Wednesday, October 20, 2010 8:51 PM

I agree... I live in Indiana like you do and I have gone up to attic few times in middle of the summer to fix a leak.  Gosh, it was so hot that I was sweating like a pig in few minutes.  No way your kits would survive that long in the attic.  You got a basement?  That's where I store my kits... if not, garage would do if you can keep them in large plastic bins. 

Andy

  • Member since
    January 2004
  • From: Wilmington, DE USA
Posted by p51mustang on Wednesday, October 20, 2010 9:36 PM

ive had models warp in my car after only a half hour so definitly do not put them in the attic

Happiness is a belt fed weapon!!Big Smile

 

  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: Indiana
Posted by hkshooter on Wednesday, October 20, 2010 10:40 PM

Thanks for the advice everyone. The attic is off for model storage unless I find an inexpensive way to climate control it.

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: Piscataway, NJ!
Posted by wing_nut on Friday, October 22, 2010 7:21 AM

hkshooter

Thanks for the advice everyone. The attic is off for model storage unless I find an inexpensive way to climate control it.

I came in this late but I think that's the best idea.  If you had pout a fan in a window you can mess up ventilation that can cause more problems with the house than what the models are worth.  As a home inspector, i speak from experience.

As long as we are on the subject of attic ventilation, take a look up there is look at the roof nails that come though to the inside.  Do you see black stains that follow the wood grain radiating out from the nail?  If you do, you do not have adequate ventilation.  In the winter, you are getting condensation on the nails.  This can weaken the hold of the nails making the roof susceptible to wind damage.  If it's real bad it can also lead to mold.  In the summer there will be excessive heat build up that will cause the roof covering to age at an accelerated rate.   I have seen 5 year old roofs that look like they are 15.  For all intents and purposes that roof  is 15 years old.  Poor ventilation may void a warranty of the covering as well.

Marc  

  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: Indiana
Posted by hkshooter on Friday, October 22, 2010 7:29 AM

Marc, educate me about this. You say putting a fan up there can mess up the ventilation? I would have thought that having a fan pull out heat would be better for the whole house. Let me know what it is that I need to do to make things as best they can be for the roof and house.

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