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buying old model kits for nostalgic reasons

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  • Member since
    May 2015
buying old model kits for nostalgic reasons
Posted by bigscaledave on Sunday, May 24, 2015 10:30 PM

Hello everyone, I sometimes buy old model kits on e bay, for nostalgic reasons. And this is something everyone should know. As plastics age they tend to warp. Sometimes to the point where they,"the kits", become unbuildable. Sometimes buying on e bay is a crap shoot, sometimes you get lucky, sometimes you...  "Well You Get Crap". And seeing as some of these kits are long out of production...Crap. You know that the decals will be bad, but you can get much better decals form after market suppliers. Of my 4 big Stukas, 2 of them are unbuildable, because of the hopelessly warped parts...Sometimes you should think with your brain not your heart. However if anyone knows how to unwarp plastic parts, please advise...   As always a preemptive thank you, for your time. 

I am a creature of mind, soul, and heart. My body is just something I have to drag along with me

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Monday, May 25, 2015 8:39 AM

Keeping them cool helps.  My stash is stored in basement, which stays pretty cool year around.

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    March 2012
  • From: Corpus Christi, Tx
Posted by mustang1989 on Monday, May 25, 2015 8:49 AM

Believe me I understand this whole heartedly. I have bought  a number of older car kits in the last couple of months and I have done a whole lot of parts dunking in boiling water to straighten out warpage issues. I used to have my stash out in the garage and lemme tell you in this south Texas heat that speeds the warping process a lot!!! I have since moved the whole stash inside. The wife aint too thrilled about it but the kits are safer! Big Smile

                   

 Forum | Modelers Social Club Forum (proboards.com) 

  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: Orlando, Florida
Posted by ikar01 on Monday, May 25, 2015 9:13 AM

Bear in mind that sometimes those brand new kits started out a bit warped to begin with.

  • Member since
    March 2012
  • From: Corpus Christi, Tx
Posted by mustang1989 on Monday, May 25, 2015 9:15 AM

Well....................you do have a point there.Indifferent I'm building a Revell Ford F-100 kit that I built as a kid and now that its 30+ years later I cant believe how crappy that kit is/ was!!!!! lol

                   

 Forum | Modelers Social Club Forum (proboards.com) 

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: Philippines
Posted by nkm1416@info.com.ph on Monday, May 25, 2015 11:20 AM

The heat index in our place is hitting 42 degrees Centigrade and I'm concerned with my stash which are mostly atop my display cabinet and model racks.No other place to store it in our home.

  • Member since
    December 2013
Posted by CodyJ on Monday, May 25, 2015 4:58 PM

I have stuffed all mine in the closests.  Then they all overflowed into the garage.  :(

I have had to use the boiling water tecnique to unwarp a few old aircraft I bought over the years.

  • Member since
    August 2008
Posted by tankerbuilder on Tuesday, May 26, 2015 5:30 PM

I want you to promise me you won't laugh .

    I have to store mine in an aluminum shed and the garage . Well ,  I knew heat would be a problem .Soooo , I lined each of the U-Haul large boxes with foam all around then put the models in them .So far in fifteen years of 104 and 107 summers , no problems . T.B.

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: Philippines
Posted by nkm1416@info.com.ph on Friday, May 29, 2015 8:23 AM

Thanks tankerbuilder! You gave me an idea. I'll buy those insulation sheets they use in ceilings and put them on top and back of the pile of boxes. Hope they provide some protection. I don't want to wrap them coz I regularly view, check, dry fit them for my relaxation.

  • Member since
    March 2012
  • From: Corpus Christi, Tx
Posted by mustang1989 on Friday, May 29, 2015 8:32 AM

tankerbuilder

I want you to promise me you won't laugh .

    I have to store mine in an aluminum shed and the garage . Well ,  I knew heat would be a problem .Soooo , I lined each of the U-Haul large boxes with foam all around then put the models in them .So far in fifteen years of 104 and 107 summers , no problems . T.B.

I've gotta say. I've never heard of this before. Given the temperature of my garage in the south Tx heat I'd say its worth a shot if your stash is out in "there". Yes

                   

 Forum | Modelers Social Club Forum (proboards.com) 

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Friday, May 29, 2015 8:38 AM

I want to go off-topic just a wee bit.  Not about warping but on buying a kit for nostalgia reasons.  I feel quite lucky.  While I got started in modeling in the late forties with balsa models, my first plastic kits were in the mid fifties.  The second kit I built, a GeeBee racer, I believe with a Hawk brand label, is still available today and in my stash now.  It is now branded by Lindberg, but it is indeed the same kit!

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: Philippines
Posted by nkm1416@info.com.ph on Friday, May 29, 2015 8:43 AM

Don I'm sure it made you feel real good to have that GeeBee racer in your stash.

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