How to maintain Figmas, PVCs and Nendoroids

This is an excellent article written by baibaiman from hobbyfanatics.com. I decided to edit and trim the article so it can concentrate on the PVC maintenance part (while maintaining a bit humour from the author). I know this information will be quite useful for those who maintain (including myself) figmas, PVCs and nendoroids =w= I'm very new to the collection hobby and one of the first things I want to know is how to maintain them.

note: I still have to confirm the authenticity of all facts claimed in this article. But on my first read I feel it's very legitimate and I see no harm in following the maintenance procedures advised.

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edit log:
1.1 6/26 first edition by kyourin
TODO's
- validate factual claims
- refine grammar, rephrase complex
sentence structures
- confirm if figma's material is
indeed PVCs :)
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- figmas are made from PVC and ABS
- add introduction translation from
http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/Figma
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- review http://www.happysoda.com/142
to get more data on how to fix PVCs
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Figmas are created with PVC and ABS materials. In my opinion (which needs clarification) the main part, which includes the main body, limbs, head .. is composed of PVC material. The accessories such as pom poms, weapons are created with ABS =w=

How to take care of your PVC figure
by babaiman source article

What is PVC
source article

Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC)

PVC is one of the most common plastics used around the world and is quite similar to rubber. The toughness/malleability of PVC is dependent on the plasticizers added. More plasticizers will result to more softness, since they straighten out the long macromolecular polymer chains into neat rows. Some figure collectors complain because of the oily film on the figure after being exposed for a while. I think this is due to the plasticizers migrating above the surface of the plastic. Small plasticizers molecules are pretty mobile and after a some time and they accumulate on the surface to produce an oily crud.

This is also the reason why PVC tends to get a bit crappy and brittle after a long period of time. (warning: plasticizers are quite toxic too) If you have a fire at home, dump your figurines at them to extinguish it, since the chlorine produced retards the flame. Plasticizers such as Phthalate have been reported to have some bad effects on human health so please take note of this.

A very large percentage of the figures sold are made of PVC. From gashapon, trading figures to 1/6's, these are mainly because PVCs material cost is very cheap, very easy to mold, and ductile (being able to be deformed plastically without fracture).

Never leave them under direct sunlight. Ultraviolet rays produce free radicals on PVC (chlorine free radicals) that combine to form chlorine gas which will gradually decompose the PVC material. The sun also heats up the PVC and deforms it at a temperature of 60 degrees Celsius. Being a thermoplastic, you can actually heat it up and bend it, then cool for it to maintain that shape.

Due to the addition of chlorine atoms which have a pretty high molecular mass compared to C and H, PVC is heavier compared to an ordinary plastic.

Step by Step Procedure to Keep Your Collection Perfect for a Long Long Time.

I have 10 year-old PVC figure and it still like new. No cracks or discolorization.

Here is the simple list of how to taken care of your PVC figure:

1) Maintain the figure under cool room temperature. (hot temperature will cause your PVC to produce oil and it will easily crack in the future - read above for more info).

2) DO NOT EVER PUT YOUR PVC UNDER DIRECT SUNLIGHT or near light sources that produce strong heat waves (e.g halogen lamp and filament bulb).

3) (COLD TREATMENT) Once every few months, put your figure inside a freezer for about 20 minutes (do not leave it for a longer time). If you notice your figure starts to form an oil on the surface (because of heat), put your figure inside a freezer for 30 to 45 minutes.

4) Use a blower to remove the accumulated dust on the figure. If you happen to use a hair drier REMEMBER TO SET IT TO BLOW COOL AIR, NOT THE HOT AIR !!!. You could also use compressed air cans used to clean computer/electronic parts if you can afford it.

5) Do not clean your PVC figures using chemical liquid. As much as possible also avoid using warm water; but if you have no choice left, use only a small amount water to clean dirty parts of your figure.

6) If you're having difficulty to remove a figure from a stand (most of them are made of plastic), do not use force. Just put the figure inside a freezer for 5 to 10 minutes. This is because plastic will shrink and expand more then PVC, coldcast, etc..

7) If you have more than one figure that stand close to each other, make sure that they do not come into contact. The figures' paint tends to smear off each other after being in contact for a long period of time.

8) (THIS IS NOT TOO IMPORTANT. APPLICABLE ONLY TO FIGURES THAT USED CHEAP PAINT. Well known brands such as Max Factory, Kaiyodo, Alter, Good Smile Company uses high quality paint) Try to put plastic sheets between removable parts to prevent direct contact. This is because when each part touch each other for a long period of time paints will smear off to each part leaving random paint marks.

9) AVOID attaching heavy objects (e.g. weapons, items, etc.) on your figure's hands because it will bend the PVC over time. For more info about this or how to fix this, read: http://www.happysoda.com/archives/142

10) Make sure your PVC figure sits on a well-balanced surface.

How to Fix a Broken Part of Your Figure

1) First you must clean both parts. Make sure that no dust particles stick on the surface of the broken part that you are going to glue.

2) Use gel-type super glue because it works better and do not spill.
WARNING !!! DO NOT USE special glues made specifically for PVCs. It is because PVC glue will melt the PVC in order to stick them back together (and you do not want to melt parts of your figure).

3) Before apply the super glue, make sure that the broken part have flat surface or match in the crack (This is to ensure that enough surface for the glue to stick).

4) Apply a VERY TINY AMOUNT of the super glue to one broken part (do not apply on both sides). Wait a few seconds before you put them together. (CAUTION!!! IF YOU OVER APPLIED AND THE SUPER GLUE DRIPS TO THE OTHER PART OF THE FIGURE, YOU ARE SCREWED !! IT WILL LEAVE A MARK FOREVER.)

5) After glueing them together, do not touch your figure and let the glue dry for a few hours.

6) Sometimes the color of the figure on the broken section will a bit decolorized. It is normal. Just use permanent marker with the same color of the figure and just color them back (DO NOT USE IN A LARGE AREA).

How to Fix Leaning Figures
source

1) Set the base of the figure on a small amount of warm water to make the PVC pliable. Heat softens PVC so you can mold it back to upright position. The water shouldn't be at boiling temperature - make it approximately 80F (30C)

2) After molding the figure to its original position, set the base of the figure on cold water and let it settle down.