Problem with a koto statue

[Eisenhorn77]

Hi,

First of all, sorry if this post is in the wrong place.

Well, I'm a bit desperate with my dark knight satue (movie version, the one on top of the batsignal). I store this figure in a dust-free glass cabinet, protected from sunlight and always kept that room at 25ºC.

Few days ago I noticed that something is exuding from the figure, is something oily and sticky. I carefully clean the figure with warm water and soap and the problem was gone, but two days after appears again.

I'm chemist, I can understand that can be part of the solvent used during vinyl manufacture process, but it has no sense, the plastic should be stable. Anyone can tell me what's going on? :-(

best regards and thank for your time guys

[dmist24]

Probably same issue as those gold paint on koto statues namely on some bishoujos? The gold paint got oily and sticky even it's properly stored, sealed and it gets removed when touched.. I have a feeling it will never be repaired.. Looks like there is a certain expiry on some statue of kotobukiya.

By the way, how old is your dark knight statue?

[Eisenhorn77]

I purchased the dark knight just on the release date, around 2008-2009. I noticed the problem on 2014, and the conditions are the same all the time. If I can strip the paint I'll seal the figure and repaint, but probably the stripping destroy de vinyl too...

[EnShinNoi]

This happens with older PVC figures or poorly made ones. There's no immediate solution to completely stopping it. All you can do is carefully wipe it down and hope overtime the process slows down to a halt. I've heard of people freezing their PVC figures but that's only a temporary solution.

[Eisenhorn77]

:-( I'll need a fridge with a glass door to show the batman...

[dmist24]

So all PVC figures have expiry then? Or probably just SOME? Any of you got figures of more than 5yrs and still looks good?

[Eisenhorn77]

I only have one more figure of the same material, it's perfect. Not kotobukiya btw...

[Eisenhorn77]

Hi guys, answer from koto

"Hello Guillermo,
Thank you for contacting us at kotous.com.

The plastic compound is breaking down. We apologize for the happening and we'll send this inquiry to our home office in Japan.
Unfortunately, we are unable to replace the item."

Can't understand how a "finished" product can, spontaneously, breaking down...

[llama]

I'm sorry to hear this is happening. I hope this is only a problem with older materials. It would be a shame if my statues start breaking down in a few years.

I would love to hear from any one else who has or hasn't had this problem with statues that have been around for a few years. I think my oldest statue is the Poison Ivy bishoujo from 2011.