GPS Prevention, For a few figures Options

[Robowang]

I was a bit worried when taking out the screws, but it ended up being fine. I suppose "mileage may vary" when attempting a fix/solution.

What I really need is access to a 3D scanner. I know someone with access to a 3D printer (the good kind!) and I would LOVE to start reproducing gold plastic G1/G2 parts.

[gargunkle]

There's also repro parts like Darkov on tfw2005 does. For example I think he has (or at least had) a Black Zarak kit.

[Aernaroth]

In theory, these fractures happen at a space where stress is applied, and especially in areas where stress is concentrated due to the shape of the material (right angled corners, regions that narrow, nubs, etc.). So in theory, removing the shape factor that causes the stress concentration, or disassembling the piece such that it is no longer under stress should reduce the chance of fracture or collapse. However, as has been stated, this implies that the piece can be modified or disassembled without exceeding the critical stress for fracture, which may not be the case if physical properties have been compromised by the GPS process.

Will this solve the problem? No. The material will still be at the same risk of fracture or failure. However, the one silver lining in gold plastic is that in many examples, failure occurs at a consistent location. This, at least to me, means stress concentrators are probably playing a role in those spots, and may be exacerbated by shape factors, decohesion, and possibly even casting conditions. So knowing what to watch out for might make it easier to hold onto a complete figure.

This post has been edited by Aernaroth: Feb 29 2012, 05:32 PM

[tec]

Thank you Aernaroth aka Preceptor

Hot Rod: In other words... Your jive might turn to power anyways

[Destron D-69]

my Transmetal Megatron is still fine...

course he suffers from the sister sickness Bronze Plastic plague ...not your standard gps

[CORVUS]

There's also repro parts like Darkov on tfw2005 does. For example I think he has (or at least had) a Black Zarak kit.

Darkov is dropping out of the repro parts business, perhaps permanently.

[Specimen-17]

I was a bit worried when taking out the screws, but it ended up being fine. I suppose "mileage may vary" when attempting a fix/solution.

Of course, don't get me wrong, I've dismantled several figures which have been fine as well, but it's just one of those things you can't bet on. Loosening screws may stave off GPS for a while longer, or it might just break it there and then.

Ultimately, collecting toys with gold plastic is like global thermonuclear war. The only way to win is not to play.

[CORVUS]

This just in: all 2013 Generations figures to be made of painted-over swirly, sparkly, gold plastic.

[Spark]

The last time GPS popped up would be Micromaster Superion. I'd hoped it would have been the last.

Ah man, that doesn't make me happy to learn. I thought G2 Slingshot and Torca were the only ones I had to worry about in my collection. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/icon-screamer.gif)

Does anyone have a list of recent figures (made in the last 10 years, not reissues) that suffer from this problem?

That'd actually be a very short list. Off the top of my head, between 2002 and now, only two mass market figures have used GPS-prone plastic, that being Cybertron Repugnus (although his gold parts aren't under much stress and don't really need to move, so they probably will be okay) and Micromaster Superion who is loaded with it. Almost all the white combiner parts are actually swirly gold plastic painted over in white. There were already reports of breakage as of last year, specifically in the clips that hold the fists on.

This just in: all 2013 Generations figures to be made of painted-over swirly, sparkly, gold plastic.

Cue official Transformers sad trombone. Again...

This post has been edited by Spark: Feb 29 2012, 11:58 PM

[gargunkle]

Cybertron Repugnus

... you're kidding!! Oh man.

[Cat]

I remember some people having problems with the protoform Starscream (or maybe it was Optimus) from the first movie preview wave. People were worried about it there.

And movie 1 Scorponok's tail. The small version that came with Blackout, I think? Something like that?

I remember people saying they had problems with both, and speculating GPS.

[gargunkle]

I think the movie Scorponok that had tail problems is the Legends one.

[Echowarrior]

I remember some people having problems with the protoform Starscream (or maybe it was Optimus) from the first movie preview wave. People were worried about it there.

And movie 1 Scorponok's tail. The small version that came with Blackout, I think? Something like that?

I remember people saying they had problems with both, and speculating GPS.

If memory serves, one guy reported his Protoform Starscream going through GPS-like symptoms, and that was after he did some custom painting with it. May not be the same thing.

[TheMightyMollusk]

I remember some people having problems with the protoform Starscream (or maybe it was Optimus) from the first movie preview wave. People were worried about it there.

And movie 1 Scorponok's tail. The small version that came with Blackout, I think? Something like that?

I remember people saying they had problems with both, and speculating GPS.

Scorponok was the Legends version, and it wasn't GPS. It's the rubbery plastic drying out and cracking apart. The result isn't much different, though.

[tec]

My movie 1 Protoform Starscream in in my neices and nefuws toy box if something breaks I will let you know its been there sence the 1st movie came out on DVD

And nothings broke on it yet

[RCX]

My BW10 Dinobot pretty much disintegrated.
And I'm afraid to transform my protoform Starscream just because of his color.

[Spark]

I remember some people having problems with the protoform Starscream (or maybe it was Optimus) from the first movie preview wave. People were worried about it there.

And movie 1 Scorponok's tail. The small version that came with Blackout, I think? Something like that?

I remember people saying they had problems with both, and speculating GPS.

What Echowarrior and TMM said is correct. The Protoform Starscream was a false alarm that's turned into a persistent scare.

My BW10 Dinobot pretty much disintegrated.
And I'm afraid to transform my protoform Starscream just because of his color.

Um... 10 Anniversary BW Dinobot isn't really gold, and I've never read about it falling apart. I don't even recall his plastic being swirly. How did it happen?