Color changing

Yet another lame, cheesy awesome gimmick in the fight for toy dollars is the ability for a toy to change color.

Generally this is done by application of paint or a sticker which contains some sort of color-changing ink or paint. This color shift is brought on by the power of love and a positive, can-do attitude, but the heathen scientists, whose mood rings never worked, have other explanations, which will be given for the sake of humoring the unbelievers.

This color change is usually linked to temperature, and is called a thermochromic quality. A Transformer with color-changing features probably uses a leucodye.

Leucodyes require a temperature shift of about five to ten degrees Fahrenheit.

Since the temperature change necessary to activate the color change can be achieved by applying warm water, this gimmick is often paired up with the water-squirting gimmick.

Toys

Generation 2

Autobots

Color Changers (1993)

• Drench
• Gobots

Decepticons

Color Changers

• Deluge
• Jetstorm

Generation 2 Europe

Autobots

Aquaspeeders (1993)

• Aquafend
• Deluge
• Jetstorm
• Speedstream

Decepticons

Stormtroopers (1993)

• Aquablast
• Drench
• Hydradread
• Rage

Notes

• An early thermochromic substance, liquid crystals, found use in rubsigns.
• While the gimmick itself is a fairly common addition that has appeared throughout many kids toylines, most adult collectors do not employ its use due to the possibilty of metal pieces on the toys rusting due to possible water contact.

External links

• Color-Changing Inks: Brighten your bottom line - Brief explanation of leucodye technology.