Storing your collection long term - How to

[Deleted]

So I pack part of my collection away and I am really paranoid that Im storing them the wrong way:

- Should they be stored in a dark place, such as a non-transparent container? this one is easy, i assume this the answer is yes, but feel free to let me know if there is a disadvantage

- Heres the one that gets me - I was thinking about putting them in a plastic container and duct taping it shut to make it (relatively) air tight. Is there any reason why I shouldnt? My thnking is to keep bugs and air that might damage the boxes. Or, do I have to worry about moisture getting in there? I have this nightmare that I open it 2 years from now and diecast is rusted.
(fyi Im in los angeles, so its not a humid area, but who knows over the years - weather does change).

- Lastly, is there anything I can put in the box, like I dunno moth balls or somethign that anyone can recommend that will keep it a dry, bug free environment?

Thanks!

[Mr. Ginrai]

Non-transparent unless the room has no windows. No duct tape. Secure or interlocking tops should be enough. And as far as bugs, if you live in a clean area and the room is climate controlled (and/or a finished area) you should be good.

If you live in one of those places that's prone to snakes or dangerous spiders (household size) I can't help you there except to say keep the storeroom/area clean, vacuumed and relatively dust free.

If you have to stack floor to ceiling and wall to wall make sure you leave a bit of space between the walls and ceilings for "breathing room", never put anything up against a wall or ceiling.

Also make sure that even if the room is packed full that you can easily move the stacks so that you can dust/clean/vacuum 1-2 times a month. That should be good.

[Deleted]

Thanks ginrai! So why should u never stack against a wall or ceiling? What would happen?

[mecha-mania]

humidity is off the charts in my country, I have more success storing my stuff in a room where the air-con is used often, compared to a moist and dark storage room. but one thing's for sure is (touch wood), I never have problems with bugs. I have a habit of buying tons a bath soup and stash a few pieces where I store my toys. its not that my house is free from bugs like roaches and lizards, its just that they stay away from my toys ;D

[Mr. Ginrai]

May 31, 2013 22:33:32 GMT -5 @sadpanduh said:

Thanks ginrai! So why should u never stack against a wall or ceiling? What would happen?

In my experience dust, bugs, water/moisture etc. basically any problems usually present themselves on walls and ceilings before anywhere else. If things are against/touching them, its like giving the problem a nice bridge to your toys. Also when stuff is stacked flush against a wall etc you may forget to clean around or behind the touching area and pests and dust mites etc usually form in areas that are dirty.

You ever see a common household spider's (the creamy tan colored spiders) egg sac hatch? It looks like an invasion force BASE jumping into battle and they are super micro size. Imagine them attacking your toys! If they got into one of your totes and survived they could lay more eggs there and then when you crack them open you might get bit.

I know it's a little extreme but keeping a clean room is important (even for example like your bedroom). My bedroom was clean but a household spider got into my show overnight and bit me the next morning. I got a staph infection even though I knew it was a spider bite by the end of the night and I started treatment at home so I could go to the walk in emergency room in the morning. I was on an iv everyday for two weeks and couldn't wear a shoe on my right foot. They told me if I was not familiar with warning signs and medical safety I may have been in serious shape had I waited any longer to come in. So that's why you have to plan carefully for an area you probably won't be around in constantly.

[Deleted]

May 31, 2013 23:33:57 GMT -5 Mr. Ginrai said:

May 31, 2013 22:33:32 GMT -5 @sadpanduh said:

Thanks ginrai! So why should u never stack against a wall or ceiling? What would happen?

In my experience dust, bugs, water/moisture etc. basically any problems usually present themselves on walls and ceilings before anywhere else. If things are against/touching them, its like giving the problem a nice bridge to your toys. Also when stuff is stacked flush against a wall etc you may forget to clean around or behind the touching area and pests and dust mites etc usually form in areas that are dirty.

You ever see a common household spider's (the creamy tan colored spiders) egg sac hatch? It looks like an invasion force BASE jumping into battle and they are super micro size. Imagine them attacking your toys! If they got into one of your totes and survived they could lay more eggs there and then when you crack them open you might get bit.

I know it's a little extreme but keeping a clean room is important (even for example like your bedroom). My bedroom was clean but a household spider got into my show overnight and bit me the next morning. I got a staph infection even though I knew it was a spider bite by the end of the night and I started treatment at home so I could go to the walk in emergency room in the morning. I was on an iv everyday for two weeks and couldn't wear a shoe on my right foot. They told me if I was not familiar with warning signs and medical safety I may have been in serious shape had I waited any longer to come in. So that's why you have to plan carefully for an area you probably won't be around in constantly.

Ugh that's terrible sorry u had to deal with that :/ I HATE spiders. We have a lot in our house but they are the daddy long legs so not dangerous.

Thanks for the advice guys!

[magengar]

I've got most of my hauls boxed and stored at my mother's house
(Puerto Rico)... it gets hot and humid in P.R. during the
summer months, and then of course there's the rainy season
between October and February when the climate is cooler
(no cooler than 50 degrees at night in P.R. during
the "winter" months. lol).

My stepdad was more than kind enough to stack my boxed hauls
on pallets in a small cool room located in the garage bay area
of the house, and the bay is slightly elevated above ground
so no worries about rain and floods... he rotates my stacks
at least twice a month along with his own stuff which he has
stored in the same room; and he's very meticulous about it.
And, since they live near a beach, the air is quite breezy.
Whenever I call or write them I ask them to open a few of
my boxes to let my robots "breath" for a while.
Also, no bug problems there.

Seems like a lot to ask my mom and stepdad to do,
at their old age; and I feel guilty about it.
Then they're always asking me
"when will you finally move here to Puerto Rico?"

I was gonna relocate there a couple years ago, and in
anticipation of my move I sent most of my collection
ahead, all my best figures and jumbos... but that
plan failed while I was unemployed.
Hopefully I'll be able to relocate soon so I can settle
down and reorganize all of my hauls.

zozo-mag

[TheMazingerZ]

You are moving to PR? Tony, you are braver than I thought.

}D

[magengar]

I know what you mean, bro.
The job market there is no better than
here in the U.S..
And my life here in the U.S. is more flexible,
and surrounded by so much convenience.
whereas most folks in P.R. aren't as open-minded
and my options are fewer.

I cannot move right away... but I know I have
to move there soon, my mom is old and diabetic,
and she's also starting to have Alzheimers.
Sooner or later I'll have to be there to care for her.

zozo-mag

[Deleted]

Jun 1, 2013 0:36:43 GMT -5 magengar said:

I've got most of my hauls boxed and stored at my mother's house
(Puerto Rico)... it gets hot and humid in P.R. during the
summer months, and then of course there's the rainy season
between October and February when the climate is cooler
(no cooler than 50 degrees at night in P.R. during
the "winter" months. lol).

My stepdad was more than kind enough to stack my boxed hauls
on pallets in a small cool room located in the garage bay area
of the house, and the bay is slightly elevated above ground
so no worries about rain and floods... he rotates my stacks
at least twice a month along with his own stuff which he has
stored in the same room; and he's very meticulous about it.
And, since they live near a beach, the air is quite breezy.
Whenever I call or write them I ask them to open a few of
my boxes to let my robots "breath" for a while.
Also, no bug problems there.

Seems like a lot to ask my mom and stepdad to do,
at their old age; and I feel guilty about it.
Then they're always asking me
"when will you finally move here to Puerto Rico?"

I was gonna relocate there a couple years ago, and in
anticipation of my move I sent most of my collection
ahead, all my best figures and jumbos... but that
plan failed while I was unemployed.
Hopefully I'll be able to relocate soon so I can settle
down and reorganize all of my hauls.

zozo-mag

That's really cool of them. It's great they respect your hobby so much. I hope u get back to pr soon, I know it must be tough being away from ur collection.

[magengar]

I miss my collection. But since I don't have a car, this works
in my favor: If I have to move to another apartment someday soon
I'd have less of my collection to put in local storage or
carry by bus to my next living space. Regardless, my collection
would be the first thing I pack and move.
I live with a roommate who collects her own stuff, like Beanie babies,
so she understands how seriously I take my hobby.
We're looking at moving to a bigger apartment later this year or
down the road- we already have a car, or we can rent a truck,
but at least the move will be quicker and safer.

The nice thing about this hobby is that it inspires curiosity
from outsiders... the questions never stop.
As long as I maintain my research about the robots in my collection,
folks will take me more seriously than if I were just collecting
because "the stuff is cool"...

...Outside spectators would rather be satisfied with a substantial
answer hearing you talk knowledge about your collection, rather
than be sent away hearing you say "I just collect this stuff because
I like it, it's cool"... It's often misinterpreted as though
you're saying you'd "rather not discuss it further"...

...It seems far-fetched, but makes sense. If you stay on top of
your knowledge base about your collection, you'll get much
greater respect as a Collector, and not be dismissed as someone
who merely collects "toys".

zozo-mag