Taking care of your figures

Let’s find out what causes the sticky figures!

Cause of Stickiness

The reason the figures become sticky is because of the plasticizer used when making them. This plasticizer is added to the PVC (the main material used in figures) in order to make it softer – the more mixed in with the PVC, the softer and more flexible it becomes.
However, over a long period of time this plasticizer vaporizes, and when this happens while a figure is sealed up in it’s box the vaporized plasticizer has nowhere to go, and thus sticks onto the surface of the figure creating a sticky layer.

But the truth is that plasticizer is the reason we have flexible figure parts on our figures, and it’s apparently also used in order to get hard PVC parts like Nendoroid expressions out of their molds neatly! In other words, the plasticizer is a very important part of figures!

How to Prevent the Stickiness

  • Don’t leave figures in the sun for long periods of time. (This causes the plasticizer to vaporize faster)
  • Don’t leave figures in sealed boxes for too long. (This includes leaving them in the blister packs)

How to Remove the Stickiness

Make use of a mild dish washing liquid. Note that I can’t guarantee that this method will work for all figures, and there may be unexpected problems or damage to your figures.
But please keep it in mind that everything you try on your figures is your own responsibility!

Making use of a sponge or brush might damage the figures – it’s best to gently wash it with your hands instead!

This should remove any light stickiness from the figure! When you’re wiping off the water after washing, be sure to use a soft cloth instead of tissues.

How to Clean Anime Figures?

Here are a few tips on how to clean anime figures.

What you will need:

  • Compressed Air Or an Air Compressor
  • Microfiber Cloth
  • A Makeup brush or kabuki brush
  • Q-tips
  • Water
  • Dishwashing Liquid

Clean The Dust Off

The first step is to remove any dust or dirt from your figure. Depending on how dusty your figures are, you’ll have to clean them differently. If they only need a minor dusting, simply spritz them with compressed air or use the brush to wipe away the dust. You can dust lightly with a make-up brush and use compressed air to clean the dust out of places where the brush can’t reach.

If you’re going to use compressed air on a figure with little removable attachments, be cautious. If you apply too much force, the accessories may fly away and get lost.

Wipe It Down

Once the dust is removed, you can wipe down your figure with a microfiber cloth. If there are any stubborn spots, you can use a makeup brush or kabuki brush to get rid of them. Be sure to use gentle pressure, as you don’t want to damage the paint or surface of your figure.

Finally – Give your figure a good once-over with another microfiber cloth to remove any leftover dust or dirt. Use Q-tips For Small Areas

The microfiber cloth comes in handy here. Regular cloth should not be used to clean the stains off your figurines because they may leave light scratch marks. Use Q-tips to remove any stains from hard-to-reach areas.

Cleaning Tough Stains

If the figures are really stained, give them a bath in lukewarm water with a little dishwashing liquid. This could happen if you had figures that have been neglected for a long time or have been left outside its packaging. Use cold water to avoid deforming your figures. Any product containing bleach or alcohol should be avoided since it can harm the paint. To clean tough stains use a combination of Q-tips and a microfiber cloth. And then pat it dry.

Here are a few tips on how to prevent your anime figures from getting dirty:

Keep Them Out Of Direct Sunlight

Anime figures are made of plastic and other materials that can degrade over time when exposed to direct sunlight. If you must display your anime figures in a sunny location, make sure to do so out of direct sunlight. Handle Them With Care. Be careful when handling your anime figures. Don’t grip them too tightly or drop them, as this can cause damage and make them more prone to dirt and dust.

    Dirt/Oils
    Before you touch or clean your figurines, wash your hands. The natural oil on your hands, as well as any dirt or dust on your fingertips, might make your collection filthy and unsightly. Touching or handling your figurines too frequently may cause them to acquire a “lightly used” appearance.

      Keep Them Clean
      Dust and dirt can be a major enemy of anime figures, so keep them clean by wiping them down with a soft cloth occasionally. If they start to get really dirty, you can use a mild soap and water solution to clean them.

      Moisture
      Keep your figurines away from moisture! Figurines can become discolored and brittle owing to their extended association with moisture. Even if they are not made of resin, long-term contact with moisture may cause figurines to lose paint and decals, as well as create weak joints that can lead to the breaking of your figures.

      Display Them Properly
      When displaying your anime figures, make sure to do so in a way that won’t allow dust and dirt to settle on them. Don’t display them on shelves or in areas where there is a lot of foot traffic.

        Store Them Properly
        When you’re not displaying your anime figures, store them in a clean, dry place out of direct sunlight. Plastic storage containers are ideal for this purpose.

          Following these simple tips can help you keep your anime figures clean and free of dust and dirt, so you can enjoy them for years to come.