question about the Mego Star Trek movie dolls

[mazinz]

err I mean action figures.

I have 3 of them still in their box (Kirk, Spock and that bald girl), however one of them (Spock) seems to have discolored to a zombie like grey. Is this common with Megos? The figures in the boxes are not in the sunlight at all. I noticed he was turning color over a number of years. Kirk seems ok (seems like he might be lightly fading) and the girl is perfect

[kryptosmaster]

There was some discussion about that very subject in another thread this week. I am by no means an expert on these but I have heard this is very common on these figures (as well as Chips, Dukes, and a few other lines). There was some sort of problem with the plastic they used for a period of time and it was later corrected but I don't know if the Star Treks were still made after the correction or not. I'm sure a more knowledgeable person will pipe in.
Rich

[mazinz]

thank you for the info, if you do find that post please let me know

[toys2cool]

it's nothing new bro, It will eventually happen...especially if you live somewhere hot or Humid. I bought a Ponch in perfect condition,I live in Miami and in less then a month it turned gray

[MysteryWho]

I have a Kirk in the Marketplace right now and he's got the disease. I'm not sure how involved a process it is exactly, but there are accounts on here of people de-greying.

[mazinz]

it's nothing new bro, It will eventually happen...especially if you live somewhere hot or Humid. I bought a Ponch in perfect condition,I live in Miami and in less then a month it turned gray

I am in New York, with the exception of the summer we do not have that much humidity (a lot of cold though)

I might have been looking to sell the three in a lot (at least the girl is still her proper skin tone) but was not sure how bad a turn off the grey skin may be to collectors?

Since they are still in their box, I would not even attempt anything of trying to restore the color

[cjefferys]

Not all Megos have this problem, but the 12" Trek figures are extremely susceptable to it. It's hard to find one without the problem, most collectors of these (like me) just have to accept it. If you do have one without the issue, you could probably get a premium for it.

What basically causes it is a process called migration. It's due to a bad batch of vinyl that Mego used during one (or more?) particular manufacturing period in the late 70's. Basically, a component of the vinyl is attacking and eating the dye used to give the heads their flesh colouring, leaving the grey colour that the vinyl initially was. The worst culprit is UV light, but heat and humidity may also have a hand in starting the chemical reaction. It's a slow process, you might buy a figure that looks nice, and store it away in the dark, but if the process has already begun it's hard to stop it and that figure will eventually turn grey. One early warning sign is if the head is sticky to the touch. The head is literally "sweating" out some of the chemicals that are breaking down.

[mazinz]

Not all Megos have this problem, but the 12" Trek figures are extremely susceptable to it. It's hard to find one without the problem, most collectors of these (like me) just have to accept it. If you do have one without the issue, you could probably get a premium for it.

What basically causes it is a process called migration. It's due to a bad batch of vinyl that Mego used during one (or more?) particular manufacturing period in the late 70's. Basically, a component of the vinyl is attacking and eating the dye used to give the heads their flesh colouring, leaving the grey colour that the vinyl initially was. The worst culprit is UV light, but heat and humidity may also have a hand in starting the chemical reaction. It's a slow process, you might buy a figure that looks nice, and store it away in the dark, but if the process has already begun it's hard to stop it and that figure will eventually turn grey. One early warning sign is if the head is sticky to the touch. The head is literally "sweating" out some of the chemicals that are breaking down.

Yikes, well at least now I know it was a huge issue with them. Below is my three with a now kind of funny varying stages from grey to untouched by it (the grey-ish marks on Kirk's face are NOT on the toy, it is on the package and from the camera flash)

[toys2cool]

Brains!!

[mazinz]

hahahah

[kennermike]

Yikes, well at least now I know it was a huge issue with them. Below is my three with a now kind of funny varying stages from grey to untouched by it (the grey-ish marks on Kirk's face are NOT on the toy, it is on the package and from the camera flash)

http://www.box.net/shared/static/z5vm01tyn4.jpg

Doug those are nice!!!!

[mazinz]

Thanks Mike, I am still contemplating on whether or not to sell them. I have no idea what they even may or may not go for.

[generic]

Thanks Mike, I am still contemplating on whether or not to sell them. I have no idea what they even may or may not go for.

I have a boxed Llia that I've been wanting to sell, so I've been keeping an eye on prices. It looks like they're going for around $30 to $40 boxed these days.

[david_b]

I had a 12" Spock a few years back for a while.. and really liked it. Great sculpt and quality outfit, but sold 'em for something. I should buy him back again.

david_b