New Ape Bits

[thunderbolt]

And FTC keeps on selling it knowing it’s junk

[Confessional]

^^ After I discovered some expensive Phicen pleather clothing doing the same exact thing on another figure, I did some searching and even found a few specific, enlightening threads on the 1/6 Warriors forum. Also found the same issues with the same materials being used in office furniture and human clothing.

Pretty much documented that these contemporary synthetics are failing from a two part problem; moisture/humidity will cause the liner glue to separate from the pleather, and UV exposure degrades the surface. These new micro-thin vinyls can look great, take embossing/debossing, come in a variety of colors and textures, but they are cheapO and most are breaking down in just a few years.

Even if you coat the surface with UV blocking conditioner, and keep your toys inside of environmental control, it's thought that the humidity degradation likely begins when the items are first packaged. Plastic and films trap moisture as the products cure to form and prevent air flow. You'll notice more products, including many toys, come with Silica Gel Desiccant Packets inside for this very reason. So once it starts it's not easy to, or perhaps possible, stop. And once you have surface crack/tear, the whole integrity of that piece is gone.

The notorious PNG is absolutely correct, Mego vinyl coated fabric = best stuff ever!

[TrekStar]

I’m wondering if there isn’t some sort of chemical out there, that you could clean the vinyl with to preserve the material?

[TheVintageToyKid]

Vinyl clothing such as the Apes outfits and "leather" jackets from FTC/CTVT are terrible... I experienced a crumbling leather jacket last summer, and experienced the same thing again when I purchased the purple and white Apes outfit a few months ago. As soon as I opened it from the packaging and attempted to put it on the figure, it just flaked away. I ended up going to eBay and purchasing an original which, after more than 40 years, is still in fantastic shape.

[glimpy]

All my ape figures toy company tunics have crumbled to pieces

[Confessional]

^^ Yeah, no doubt! The gloves were/are a total disaster in size/fit and quality too. I cut most of them to make cuffs instead.

[apes3978]

^^ I doubled checked the whole line up for ya…

White Vinyl /Purple Knit and White Vinyl /Orange Knit are both degrading. Also I noticed the Orange Knit is fading too.

The Blue, Black and Orange Vinyl versions seem to be a slightly better quality of vinyl and are still in good condition. The Chimps and Orang gear has no issues.

Confessional, thanks for checking out everything...

And as a side note, I've yet to buy any of the Gorilla gear, but I have to say I am annoyed by one thing-I don't like that the mitts of the gloves don't match the color of the sleeves/pants. If they did it that way to try to make it look like the figures hands are brown, then they should have just skipped that step, and sewn cuffs/gauntlets onto the sleeves like the General outfits.

[PNGwynne]

So true, nothing beats that vintage Nauga.

Honestly, using glazed/mercerized chintz and top-stitching the embossing would be a very durable, comparable look for the military tunics.

[Confessional]

^^ These are the only items in a studio filled with vintage and contemporary soft goods that I've found any signs of failing. I too miss the vinyl-armor-qualities of vintage Mego in comparison to modern toy parts.

[PNGwynne]

I have Apes and medieval customs using the black-vinyl tunics. They are intact--so far. Kept in a cooler, drier room without light.

[Confessional]

^^ I doubled checked the whole line up for ya…

White Vinyl /Purple Knit and White Vinyl /Orange Knit are both degrading. Also I noticed the Orange Knit is fading too.

The Blue, Black and Orange Vinyl versions seem to be a slightly better quality of vinyl and are still in good condition. The Chimps and Orang gear has no issues.

[apes3978]

**Update… 3 years later I've noticed that the white/purple Soldier's tunic is now showing signs of degradation. The paper thin cheap vinyl is separating from the backing fabric in the folds.

I purchased these just after the products were first offered, and suspect this is the first step of total material breakdown that those who purchased these outfits after many months in Florida-warehouse-storage have experienced. Occurring regardless of climate and UV control… disappointing.

@Confessional,

Does that seem to be only happening to the white/purple version of the outfits, or does it seem to be affecting the other color choices as well?

Also, how well does the Chimpanzee gear seem to be holding up?

Thanks...

[PNGwynne]

FTC uses so much pleather and glue on their figures. Again, the vintage stuff is much more durable.

[Confessional]

**Update… 3 years later I've noticed that the white/purple Soldier's tunic is now showing signs of degradation. The paper thin cheap vinyl is separating from the backing fabric in the folds.

I purchased these just after the products were first offered, and suspect this is the first step of total material breakdown that those who purchased these outfits after many months in Florida-warehouse-storage have experienced. Occurring regardless of climate and UV control… disappointing.

[PNGwynne]

So excited for new knives! Wheee!!