Chrome loss on toy collection

Moline_guy · Feb 5, 2016

I have a collection of toys from the 70's and 80's, some I have in the attic and some in the basement. These two trucks, both same manufacturer and from the mid 70's are part of my collection. The orange one has always been in the attic, the other one I just moved down to the basement last year with some other ones. Went to move some stuff around and noticed the chrome is all eaten off of some of toys that had plastic chrome. Would heat/cold/humidity cause this? Its not mold, the chrome is just gone. Figured other people on here might have collections and had this happen. Thanks for any information.

Janicholson · Feb 5, 2016

I teach Plastics and can only suggest things. Chrome has a radically different expansion rate than plastic. In most chrome on plastic items the chrome is really a series of small flakes like dried mud in a shallow puddle. Each crack is enlarged and the under lying attachment is further sheared when it is heated or cooled (think early Mazda badge emblems on trunks).
The darker truck looks like it was heated to near melting at one point. The chrome issue also follows the same pattern from the front left corner to the rear becoming less and less severe toward the back. Sunlight can and will also cause plastic to degrade and decompose. If the chrome in the noy quite destroyed zone is flaky and near powder, I suspect heat, Sun, or a chemical like furniture polish/spray. Remember the cracks and flaking are pretty small and happen when plated. Chemicals can get into the cracks and under the flakes. Jim

CenTex Farmall · Feb 5, 2016

If you want even more to worry about, google "zinc pest"!

Jason1Pa · Feb 6, 2016

Is your attic more like a crawl space or a full attic? If its hot up there its the heat for sure.

Moline_guy · Feb 6, 2016

Full attic, the one that was damaged was in the basement.

Moline_guy · Feb 6, 2016

Interesting read, I don't think these trucks are old enough for the problem, the part that is damaged is only on the plastic coating.

Moline_guy · Feb 6, 2016

Thanks for the information. Very little sunlight in the basement, and in the summer it may get hot, but not overly hot. I did bug bomb the basement twice last year, because the wife was complaining about spiders, I don't know if that would have caused it though. Also the dryer hose came off a few times and got the basement warm and humid a few times. Thanks again for the information.

jacksun65 · Feb 6, 2016

bug bomb will affect paint so assume the plastic would be also.

1948CaseVAI · Feb 6, 2016

Times 2 for the bug bomb. I had some old family photos in plastic frames loosely standing up in an open box and a bug bomb worked the top (the exposed part) of the frames over pretty badly. No damage to the photos, but the frames were toast.

Also watch out for bug bombs around open pilot lights. Before I retired from the police department we had a basement explosion because a guy put about four bug bombs in his mechanical room in the basement. The fire guys said one probably would have been OK but he really fogged it up.

Chrome loss on toy collection

Moline_guy

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Janicholson

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CenTex Farmall

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Jason1Pa

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Moline_guy

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Moline_guy

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Moline_guy

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1948CaseVAI

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