BACK

ROBOT CARE - TIPS

 

Thanks to Russell Tate from Australia for the following useful suggestions for caring for your collection. Please send any other useful tips and we can build up a useful resource.
 
Flat Spots
Never store your toys on a shelf that was painted less than 20 years ago. Paint is one of the main culprits for causing flat spots on rubber tyres. It has something to do with the chemicals in paint reacting with the rubber wheels and turning them soft and mushy. Obviously if the paint is very old a lot of the harmful chemicals will have evaporated. Wherever possible stand toys on a glass or un-treated wood shelf.
 
Storing/Displaying Tin Robots and Space Toys
 
* Do not have your Robots in a room where they will be in direct sunlight. The sun will fade the litho. When choosing a spot in the room be aware that one corner  might not have any sunlight at 9.00am but it might be different story at 3.00pm! check the sun's arc. If you have no choice about displaying near sun light put the blue ones nearest the sun and the ones with yellow + red at the back. Blue fades the least. (ever seen those old ice cream posters in shop windows. They were full colur once but after one summer they always have that blue look to them. The yellows and reds have dissapeared with sun damage) Editor's Note: This doesn't apply in England where we haven't seen the sun for years.

* If you store the toys for long periods of time make sure you run the toys for a full minute evey 6 months to  stop the grease/oil inside from gumming up. You don't have to run them on the ground, holding them up is fine. Turn the rubber wheels a little bit also, it stops them from developing flat spots over time. Some people like to "jack" the toy up with something flat like coins so the wheels do not actually touch the ground

* If you are going to open a tin toy and need to prize open the metal tabs. I find the best thing instead of a screwdriver is a wooden peg thinned down slighty. You will really appreciate it when the time comes, and it will!, when you slip one day and the wooden peg gently glides across the litho and does not leave a dirty great scratch mark (been there done that)

* If you buy a toy that does not work. try this put in fresh batteries turn it up side a give it a couple sharp taps on the feet. It can free the motor if it has become gummed up.

* Gummed up toys can also be jumped back into life by wiring them up to a small 6v battery and very quickly touching the toys terminals. Warning if your toys has light bulbs for eyes take them out first. (been there done
that. I have an R-35 I now call Stevie Wonder) If the eyes won't come out, don't take the risk leave well alone.