I bought a vintage original Skyquake complete mint on Tfieds about a year ago. Due to ignorance and not surprising to many of you, the peg on the gun broke off in his hand hole right after I put it in.:argh

 

In order to prevent this from happening in the future, I thought it would be wise to ask other collectors what Transformers to look out for when Transforming and such. I specifically have curiosity regarding Galaxy Shuttle. Ive had him for years MIB but decided to get him out recently and study him. Ive Transformed him (very carefully) twice so far and I have noticed his pegs are possible candidates for breakage. :tfhuh Im also curious about the "gold plastic" syndrome if anyone can elaborate... as Im expecting my first Ultra Pretender in the mail soon and I want to be properly educated on this trend of G1 89-90 transformers

good topic.

Oh, and I'm gonna steal your Galaxy Shuttle!

 

When it's come to vintage age plays a unpredictable variable. Even a MSIB figure can go south but not having the joints moved in seasonal temperature change.

 

2 figures that come right to mind though are G1 Mirage. You have to watch the shoulder clip for his rocket. It's very thin and frail, I've gone through 3.

The next would be G1 Mindwipe. The pegs on his armslides just sheer right off

 

It seemed for a long time QC was constantly improving with more and more solid plastic, then around TF1 that started to take a turn for the worse. Progresively they're using more and more soft and brittle plastic.

 

Kinda sad really.

Gold plastic syndrome was only on 2 Japanese toys only if I recall correctly. Black Zarak and someone else....

Transmetal Megatron had Platic syndrome and Transmetal Rattrip Chrome flake off even in a seal box.

@liege: Indeed it is :(...

 

Anyways,

 

Gold Plastic Syndrome or GPS is the condition where the plastic does not harden properly, causing extremely soft and weak area's in the plastic. This is very common with gold colored plastic, clear plastic, and a few types of dark plastics, it is also quite common with plastics containing glitters. Another reason why some plastics can be quite fragile is due to the region as to where it is cast.

 

It doesn't help HasTak has adopted the use of cheaper plastic, cheaper manufacturing options, and cheaper regions of manufacture. But I suppose this is to keep prices down, so that we dont end up paying 20$ for a deluxe.

 

Here is a helpfull TFwiki article with more information, http://tfwiki.net/wiki/GPS

That was something I was thinking about. What about the more recent ROTF figures, namely Dirge and Tuner Mudflap? Due to their more gold-colored limbs, are they possible candidates for GPS?

 

As for the wiki article mentioning Beast Wars Transmetals Megatron, I would have to console my cousin that it wasn't his fault that the gift I bought for his birthday all those years ago broke in half.

 

While most of my G1 figures from years ago were pretty good, my Bluestreak's roof snapped off during play, and Razorclaw had those small tabs used to slide his fists out during conversion-- the fists were tight and the tabs were small and eventually broke off. :tfevil

Transmetal Megatron has fallen apart a couple times on me. My current one has a head thats just in place. It really does suck because the figure is just awesome.

 

What I recommend in his situation, keep the tail and buy new bodies off ebay as needed. If you don't wanna deal with all that Armada Predacon is good for handling

 

If figures are cheap I tend not to handle them that often. Sometimes you get a figure though that just stands out, and it makes you regret the poor QC cause otherwise the figure is awesome. Situations like this are actualy how my MSIB collection started.

 

Take Movie Lockdown, an amazing figure, but all those rubber parts aren't long for the world. It's a great figure though, something you'll still want long down the line, so tomorrow I'm picking up a second strictly for prosperity.

 

I'll probably never resell it, it's just the point of having it for when the loose one shows inevitable age.

Not sure if you are wanting just G1 figures or a thread about all fragile areas.

 

 

I would say BT Mirage - the side mirrors. Don't even touch them - extremely fragile.

^ Prowl too.

I would like to add Animated Wreck Gar to the beware list. That small-ass tab that holds the bed on near the back of his neck broke on me...although it is still supported by another thicker tab on the lower back...so it wasn't too crippling.

in my experience...clear figures are very fragile...my clear RID sideburn especially...was transforming him and his hood just split....same with g1 ghost starscream...wings are totally fucked.....also...GPS....poor monstructor....slog totally just broke...no playing with...sitting on the shelf...i guess the gold plastic couldnt support the weight of the arms and torso...shame to...monstructor is awesome.