part 7
THE
SURVIVORS
GUIDE TO COLLECTING
LOOKING AFTER YOUR FIGURES
ACTION FIGURE RESOURCE MAGAZINE
OK , so far we ’ ve looked at everything from deciding what figures you want to buying them , but what will you do with then once you get them home ?
Most people either hide their figures away in some dark and dingy cupboard where they are left forgotten for eons , or put them proudly on display in the most prominent place at the mercy of the elements .
But if you had just bought a new car , sofa or TV would you treat it the same way ?
Or would you take some time to clean it and look after it , occasionally ?
So why is it that most people don ’ t put in the same time and effort to their action figure collections ?
There are several ways to protect your figures that are neither expensive nor difficult and will only take a little of your time .
Follow these simple procedures , especially with your loose figures and they should stay in excellent condition .
Investing in action figures , until recently , was often considered as a waste of time and money but with the increasing demand in the hobby and the record prices that some action figures have been selling for , particularly since the growth in the internet and auction sites , many people have had to reconsider this assumption .
4
So what should you do to protect your action figures ?
Firstly , and most importantly , when they ’ re not in use or are being stored you should remove any batteries .
It never ceases to amaze me the number of people who forget this simple , yet important procedure , and as a result their valuable figures have been ruined by leaking battery acid .
So please remember , before storing your figures remove the batteries or even better remove them after every use , just to be safe ; - )
Before you store your figures you should also give them a good clean to get rid of any dirt or grime that may damage them . But be careful , this can be a difficult procedure .
Avoid handling them
Your hands and fingers have a lot of natural greases and oils which may be good for your skin but are unfortunately far from healthy for your action figures .