Cleaning Action Figures

[Adam0n]

Hi there. I have a question . How do you wash Your sets from dust ?

I have a huge collection of Bionicles and it's getting dirty because I'm not playing with them.

I wondered how can I clean the dust from them . Cleaning every single one carefully would take too much time.

Can I just put them all in a shower cabine and flood them ? I'am asking about this because I heard that it may cause broken pieces. What do You think about it ?

Maybe there is a better or safer solution.

[Front]

I've cleaned some sets from dust etc. by giving them a short shower, while brushing the dust off with a big brush that is intended for cleaning cars. Then grab a towel and remove most of the water by rubbing the set gently. Some water will remain and leave some chalk, but I guess it's not a big deal. Don't use hot water, just slightly warm water.

It will work better if every set is taken apart, and each element is cleaned by itself, but it takes too much time......

Edited November 18, 2011 by Front

[Aanchir]

Hi there. I have a question . How do you wash Your sets from dust ?

I have a huge collection of Bionicles and it's getting dirty because I'm not playing with them.

I wondered how can I clean the dust from them . Cleaning every single one carefully would take too much time.

Can I just put them all in a shower cabine and flood them ? I'am asking about this because I heard that it may cause broken pieces. What do You think about it ?

Maybe there is a better or safer solution.

You talking about assembled sets, or just parts? With assembled sets it could be sufficient just to just turn them around in front of a high-powered fan to blow the dust off. With parts that's more time-consuming.

I don't think getting them wet should cause any damage unless you're using water that is too hot a temperature.

[The Mugbearer]

Hello!

I am washing my mocs by putting them into a plastic wash-basin, filling it with water and putting there some gel for machine washing. After that I am waiting a couple of hours and then refreshing the water several times. After doing that, I am placing drying rack near the window, putting towel on it and putting MOCs out of the basin. Then I am wrapping them and waiting until towel will absorb most of the water. Then I am leaving toys on a rack in order to air them from washing gel smell.

The joints though after that operation would be a bit squeaky, but no worry! =)

Edited November 19, 2011 by -N13OS-

[Bundalings]

Throw assembled sets in the dishwasher. Cold water. With some soap. Washes off mold and dust very thoroughly.

Beware of warm water, though. It damages some parts. And not just rubbery ones that one would expect. Also rubbery parts don't do so great in cold water, you're better off just taking the rubber off and washing those by hand.

My whole collection became moldy so I have some experience. =/

[Adam0n]

Thank you all for your answers.

Yesterday I cleaned a few figures and they are now looking like a brand new sets.

I'm going to do the same thing with other ones this week.

It looks like water is the best way to wash whole dust from them.

I do not see any damages or coulour changes.

[Kalhiki]

I don't wash my sets since they're safe from dust in storage.

But the sets that are out, I usually just rub the dust off.

But since you're talking about an entire collection, definitely wash them with water. I haven't tried it, but I'm wondering how well one of those compressed air canisters used to clean computers would work (if you know what I'm talking about). Then again, if the dust has been on the sets a while, I'm not sure the air power would be strong enough to get it all off.

Kalhiki

[vexorian]

For mild cases a brush will do it.

Else I would just disarm it , take the pieces to the normal procedure (water at 40% + dish liquid) and then build them again. If you are still using Bionicle then that is harder because of breaking joints. So you would have to be very careful. I hope that as we get more HF sets we can leave those dark times behind.

Edited November 20, 2011 by vexorian

[Adam0n]

One more question.

I heard something about older lego bricks. They can change their white colour to yellow.

What causes this ? Keeping them in dark or closed places without light ?

[vexorian]

One more question.

I heard something about older lego bricks. They can change their white colour to yellow.

What causes this ? Keeping them in dark or closed places without light ?

Ultra violet light is your enemy. Don't expose bricks directly to the sun.

Some 1993 and 1994 white bricks can get yellowed not by white sun but by age alone, they are the exception to the rule though.