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Posted

   Hello good people,

   I have a question concerning storage of model kits

in cold temps.

  Most of us I'm sure understand the worries of keeping

models stored in very hot storage areas!  But my question

is about cold storage of kits.

   Is there a too cold for safely storing models temp that we

should be concerned with?

   I have never had to store kits in a cold attic before this

point in my life. And I am wondering if any body has had any

issues in this way, or help in any way about this topic?

   My plan is to unload a ton of these kits, but it does not just

happen over-night. But I'm sure you all know this!?!

 

    Thank you in advance,

       David S.

Posted

I think the summer heat in the attic is far worse than the cold. The heat I believe causes warping and tire burns. Also in the heat, those white bugs that eat cellulose, destroy the instructions and boxes.

However, I believe moving boxes in the cold, or any pressure applied on the parts during the cold may cause cracks and breaks.

Posted (edited)

Mine are stored in the garage (some for 20 years)...from below freezing to 100+ degrees, never a problem.  

The only warped models I've ever had came that way from the the model factories. 

Did you see the new 61 Pontiac that was packaged with a crushed roof (almost like it melted a bit) in a undamaged box?  

Edited by mike 51
Posted

   Thank you to all who responded!

   Mike I bet those curved A pillars on that Pontiac

are a factor on a kit like that. Didn't Moebius add

molded in, but removable support by the A pillar?

   I want to pick one of those up some day. But I

think I need to get rid of about 150-200 kits first!

   My income for "Model Mad Money" right now is

next to nothing.

   Tom, Dann, Bob and Mike you are all the help I

got out of all those views of this topic. Pretty sad!

   And the decal idea is very helpful, thanks again!!

 

      David S. 

Posted

I once had to pack up all my belongings and store them in an unheated storage locker in winter, including all my models. They survived just fine, but the Testors paints not so much.

Posted

I did have mine stored in an unheated out building thru winter and early spring and they was unharmed when i brought them in. Decals i would keep inside...

Posted

I put around 300 kits in storage in Sioux Falls, South Dakota back in 1992, to be there for about 6 months, Finally got them in 2012. They are all just fine(including the decals). They went though hot summers and very cold winters. Outside storage unit.

  • 2 weeks later...
Posted

I've had models in cold storage for years and here on the Canadian prairies cold means cold and winters can last five months or more and I've never had a problem. I've even had partially painted kits come out of cold storage and be finished with no problems. Our summers can also be quite hot so stored kits have lived through both extremes. Both my climates are dry though and I suspect a humid climate might prove more of a problem then what mine is.

Posted

 here on the Canadian prairies Our summers can also be quite hot

robertw, you made me LOL! Spend a summer here in the deep South and you'll know why I'm LOL. :lol:

Posted

Yeah, definitely no paints in cold storage.  My whole drawer full of acrylics got put into the storage when we moved to our current place right before winter hit.  I ended up having to replace almost all of it.  Fortunately the enamels were in a smaller container and came into the apartment, or those would have been ruined too.

Posted

   Thank you to all who responded!

   Mike I bet those curved A pillars on that Pontiac

are a factor on a kit like that. Didn't Moebius add

molded in, but removable support by the A pillar?

   I want to pick one of those up some day. But I

think I need to get rid of about 150-200 kits first!

   My income for "Model Mad Money" right now is

next to nothing.

   Tom, Dann, Bob and Mike you are all the help I

got out of all those views of this topic. Pretty sad!

   And the decal idea is very helpful, thanks again!!

 

      David S. 

David....  I have some stored in my garage for over 2 years...no damage to anything...of course decals,boxes,instructions should be kept dry as possible if you have any moisture issues in one like everyone has said.   You have 150-200 kits you need to get rid of...???...what do you have....??? 

Posted

I have mine in an unheated cellar for decades now - no adverse effect observable.
I do keep them in the heated area of the house for a week before I start to work on them though.

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