Gold Plastic Syndrome

This article is a featured article, and considered to be one of the most informative on this wiki.

Ouch.

Gold Plastic Syndrome (commonly shorthanded to GPS) is fandom terminology used to describe the phenomenon of a toy's plastic decomposing and becoming brittle to the point of shattering or crumbling under minimal-stress conditions. In the most extreme cases, toys have been reported to spontaneously crumble to small bits without any applied force at all, even if they're fresh out of their unopened package.

This breakage is different from the relatively more common stress-fracture type of plastic breakage that can occur in some Transformers toys. The condition takes its name from the gold plastics of late Generation 1 through to Beast Wars, that have proved the most prone to this sort of breakage. However, despite the name, Gold Plastic Syndrome has been known to affect other types of plastic—most of them noted for a pretty metallic swirl in the plastic.

Notability

GPS is widespread among toys made in the tail-end of Generation 1, typically the second year of Pretenders and even some European-market exclusives, Generation 2 and the Beast Wars series, but examples have surfaced from lines as recent as Universe (2003). Transformers toys are not the only ones to suffer from this; there have been reports of G.I. Joe and Visionaries toys' gold plastics also crumbling seemingly of their own accord.

The toys most likely to suffer from Gold Plastic Syndrome are those with gold or bronze plastics with a metallic swirl in the plastic. There are other known cases with different colours of plastic—though usually there is a tell-tale swirl.

Cause of GPS

Because this is not exactly an area of scientific notability there aren't any causal studies into Gold Plastic Syndrome that we know about. Basically, it is thought that certain plastics weren't mixed as well as others, possibly because of the metallic pigment or colouring, so they break down more quickly.

It's not much of a theory, really. Here's a more detailed attempt:

“

The problem likely arises, as with many composites, when the bonding between the polymer and the dye/particles breaks down. This could occur do to a natural chemical/phase change of the plastic, due to oxidation, for example, or by another mechanism, say the forces incurred by the toy being played with, or more likely, due to some combination thereof. In any case, when the bonds between the particles and the polymers break down, you would get small voids in the plastic structure. If this occurs frequently enough, the structure would become effectively porous (that is, it would be filled with lots of tiny voids/cracks where the polymers and particles have come apart). With even a slight amount of force, some of these cracks/voids could expand, even slightly, to the point where they intersect another void and join, making an even bigger crack. Once a critical crack length is reached, the sample fractures. So effectively, the plastic becomes more brittle, and this would also explain it "crumbling" as well as cracking.

”

-Aernaroth suggests a cause for GPS on the Allspark

So what it amounts to is: "The plastic crumbles a'cause it ain't very good."

Hasbro have attributed it to "the amount of gold fleck included in the plastic", and have apparently reduced the amount in similar plastics of more recent vintage to prevent further occurrences. Later Hasbro said that they believe they've "alleviated the issues associated with the 'gold' plastic issue" through "trial and error."

All in all, the actual causes of Gold Plastic Syndrome aren't a very big deal to Transformers fans—it's really pretty academic. Of more concern is the RESULTS (i.e., crumbling like a soggy Tim Tam in a cup of coffee), and what to look out for. There's no cure here, no fix. If a toy has GPS, it will die.

The Symptoms

Gold Plastic Syndrome usually has a few clear signs. Knowing how to tell the difference between Gold Plastic Syndrome and normal plastic breakage is very important for a Transformers fan who is collecting vintage toys. It's the difference between giving up on that toy completely (since if it has GPS so will any other sample of the toy) and buying a new copy.

Nooo!

• GPS usually takes place in metallic-coloured plastics, most notably gold plastic and bronze plastic.
• GPS breaks are NOT accompanied by stress fractures. There is usually NOT any visible wear before the breakage. This is really important. Plastic breaks. This is a reality of toy collecting, plastic gets old and it breaks. Gold plastic syndrome is breakage without warning.
• GPS breaks often leave a powdery residue and shards of plastic (though not always), the result of the plastic actually physically crumbling. Take a look at the picture of Skyquake's scope—okay, the bits of his scope—to the right. You can actually see some of the left-over shards of plastic. Keep in mind this picture was taken years after the break actually occurred—these are new shards of plastic which came off these pieces of scope during the process of moving the parts around for photography. Plastic should not be that brittle or delicate.
• GPS breakages don't need to involve any excess stress or force on a toy—simply handling a toy can cause the breakage. Looking at it funny, sometimes does it. Spitting on it, maybe. Opening its box. Anything. If your toy breaks despite careful handling it's more likely to be GPS.

Gleargh

• GPS breaks often have rough, uneven edges with no stress lines around them. This is important—usually when plastic snaps it snaps cleanly (as is common with clear plastic), or it bends first (leaving a torn-off piece, or clear stresses around the break). If a break is uneven, with different colours and textures in it, yet there are no stress fractures around the wound, and especially if it leaves a powdery residue as well, it's almost certainly a GPS break. Take a look at the photo of Skyquake to the right for a good example of the ragged break. Okay...not good. What's the other word that's LIKE "good", but not actually good? Oh yeah. Horrifying. A HORRIFYING example.
• GPS plastics will sometimes feel brittle to the touch, sometimes making cracking noises as they're handled.

A really easy test to tell if you have GPS breakage is this—if a piece breaks off, try snapping it again. If it's normal plastic breakage, the broken piece should bend or bow instead of just snapping like dry wood; there should be some give in the plastic, even if it's a brittle, clear plastic—so you should be able to glue it back into place, or at least get a replacement part. On the other hand, if the broken piece snaps like your grandmother's ankles in a rugby match, then you've almost definitely got Gold Plastic Syndrome.

GPS misconceptions

ALL GOLD PLASTIC WILL DIE!

Not true. It's gold plastic from certain eras that will die. It's plastic from about 1989 (second year Pretenders are notorious for it) and through to about the end of Beast Wars. As far as we know later toys do not suffer from GPS, due to a reduction in the amount of metallic flakes in similar, but more recent toys. As far as we know. But just you wait...oh yes, just you wait. Toys with flexible nylon-based gold plastics, such as Superbase Optimus Prime's elbows, are not susceptible to GPS. (Although some would beg to differ...)

Even on toys well known for GPS, some of their gold plastic is less prone to break. Gold plastic which is nice and thick is much less likely to snap than gold plastic which is thin. Gold plastic which is under constant stress—like that at a joint—is also more likely to break. That said, some really nice solid parts can shatter like eggshells if it's real GPS we're talkin' about.

MY TOY BROKE, IT MUST BE GOLD PLASTIC SYNDROME

There are plenty of ways for plastic to break that aren't related to Gold Plastic Syndrome. Repeated stress on a plastic, dropping a toy, a toy with metal parts that damage the plastic parts, thin plastic, or simply the use of translucent plastic, which is more brittle. Just because a toy breaks doesn't mean it's Gold Plastic Syndrome. Look for the symptoms (listed above) and ask around before assuming that every single copy of this toy is destined to die a painful and horrible death. Unless everyone who buys a copy of this toy decides to test its durability by throwing it off of a 10-story building.

ONLY GOLD PLASTIC GETS GOLD PLASTIC SYNDROME

Not quite true. Observations suggest that it should probably called "Metallic Plastic Syndrome". It's those metallic plastics, most commonly the gold and bronze plastics used for almost ten years by Hasbro and Takara, from around 1989 to 1998. However, in theory, any colour of plastic could be susceptible, given time. Keep an eye on your Fire Convoy, kids; that pretty metallic swirl in his plastic isn't promising.

MY TOY IS DOOMED!

Okay...not exactly a misconception. Your toy is probably doomed...but there is a little bit of light at the end of the tunnel.

You see, the thickness of the plastic seems to affect GPS. Also, the amount of stress on it affects it. While some toys are known for breaking just by having their packages opened—guys like Randy, Roadblock and Generation 2 Slingshot—others, like Skyquake and Pyro, can remain very strongly intact because the parts that are made of GPS plastics are large and thick and otherwise robust. GPS is an inconsistent process—eventually your toy will crumble, but there's no telling how long it will take. With delicate handling (read: almost none) you can maintain a GPS-afflicted toy in your collection for quite some time.

Also remember that the evidence for Gold Plastic Syndrome is completely observational. There seems to be some evidence that different plastic batches were less affected, that some releases of the toys were less affected. You might luck out and get an Electro that never crumbles to dust, or you might be really unlucky and get multiple Electros, all of which break horribly. This page is a caution more than anything else. Know what you're getting into when you buy a toy known to be afflicted by GPS.

Toys commonly associated with Gold Plastic Syndrome

Generation 1

• BlackZarak

Rather depressingly, BlackZarak's feet and shield tend to shatter. Since both parts have to be under stress to function as intended, this particularly expensive toy is almost never intact. The Black Roritchi repaint of Fasttrack included with him is almost entirely made of gold plastic. Good luck...

• Bristleback

Bristleback on his own isn't in much danger, as he has a fairly minimal amount of moving parts. However, when combining with the other Monster Pretenders, sliding the Monstructor fist in place will usually be enough to create a large crack through his legs, sometimes even splitting them entirely.

• Roadblock

The innermost robot has three peg holes, two in the fists and one on his back, that are particularly susceptible to cracking and shattering, leaving many a Roadblock hand-less.

• Skyhammer

One of the most notorious toys. The entire bottom of his large vehicle shell is made of gold plastic and it is very prone to breakage. Not to mention how much gold plastic is on his inner shell and his robot mode.

• Slog

Slog is notable because his gimmick requires another toy (Birdbrain) to be inserted up inside his gold sections. His thin gold sides will crumble like a good fruit cake (just not as moist) if Birdbrain jostles around too much.

• Killbison

Well, crap.

Generation 1-2 Transitional Phase

• Skyquake

Skyquake is another toy notable for having a gimmick which makes the whole thing worse. Skyquake actually has two colours of metallic plastic on him: One is a dark bronze, the other a light bronze. It is the light bronze plastic that is most likely to break. Unfortunately, the light bronze plastic also forms Skyquake's scope. You're supposed to put a Predator jet's scope slide into that part of him. But the union is not pleasant for the one on the receiving end. Take a look at the picture to the right. These are the parts left of Skyquake's scope after another Predator tried to unite with him. Actually...that's not even all the parts, that's just all that could be found.

This is a gimmick which should never be used by modern collectors. Never, ever, ever, ever. Watch out for the movable panel on the back of his head, too, as it's the same light bronze plastic.

• Pyro

Although he can be something of a trouper in comparison to other victims on this page, Pyro's waist can break very easily if not handled with care.

Generation 2

• Electro

Oh, God, my knee! MY KNEEEEEEE!!

There's a reason that Electro sits up at the top of this page. Poor guy just can't catch a break.

Wait...actually, no. That's the entire problem. The poor guy totally can catch a break. All the time. Because he is designed to die.

• Slingshot

Slingshot is infamous for being made almost entirely of gold plastic, and he has been reported to come apart straight out of the package. Worse, he's known for being another toy whose gimmick will destroy him. Slingshot's head is a post which is designed to plug into Silverbolt (or any other Scramble City leader), so that Slingshot can form an arm or a leg. Doing this will destroy your Slingshot.

Beast Wars

• Grimlock

He's hopping mad! ... Okay, fine. YOU do better.

Take a look at the picture to the right. Grimlock's gold plastic can break pretty damned hard. The fact that he uses a gold plastic ball joint for his hips is not really a good thing. Common breakages include the insides of his legs (where his chest pegs into them in beast mode) and his mutant face (which is very thin).

• Randy

Poor Randy. This is one of the legendary Gold Plastic Syndrome toys. Imagine, if you will, a toy with an entirely spring-loaded transformation made entirely out of gold plastic. Ouch, right? Well, don't worry. You'll never have to see what a mess that could be, because this toy will shatter into a million pieces the moment you open it. Ouch.

The one picture for the wiki you never want to be able to make.

• Transmetal Megatron

He'll snap at the waist, the shoulders, the ... well, anything that's made of that brown plastic. This is technically Brown Plastic Syndrome, but regardless of what you call it this toy will end in sadness. The Japanese Metals version uses black instead of the brown, so it seems to be immune. The fragility of the waist may be due to GPS, a design flaw, or a combination of both.

• Silverbolt

Despite having a dangerously large amount of bronze plastic, Magnaboss Silverbolt IS fairly stable. The main breakage point is where his tail connects to his body. As well, Skywarp, his Japanese counterpart, is just as likely to suffer from this. That said, just...be careful, okay? Be careful.

• Soundwave

His entire fraggin' body is composed of gold plastic, so it's a crap shoot. The places on his body where the sides hinge open as part of his transformation are the first to go, however.

• Torca

His legs, tail hinge and sides are prone to Gold Plastic Syndrome.

Beast Machines

• Snarl

Snarl is an atrocious example of a victim to Gold Plastic Syndrome, it seems that the longer the figures are left in sealed packages, the more brittle they are upon opening said packages... Where all manner of extremities will simply snap off, most easily among these being the ankles.

Universe (2003)/Cybertron

• Megabolt

Having limbs cast primarily in gold plastic is not a good thing. Fracture points include his forearms, the holes that lock his arms in place in crawling head mode, lower legs near the knees, and his head.

• Armada Optimus Prime

Having gold plastic joints is never a good idea especially when it is the arm and needs to bend both ways for transformation.

• Micromaster Superion (initially a KB Toys exclusive Universe release in the USA, later also available at CVS Pharmacy stores; mass-retail Cybertron release in Europe), released in 2006, suffers from this as of 2010, particularly the peg that connects Ro-Tor to Superion's torso piece.

Star Wars: Transformers

• Millennium Falcon / Han Solo & Chewbacca

Particularly, the Chewbacca half suffers from GPS. His legs can lock up and ultimately snap off. His upper arms are also said to fall victim as well.

Other notable instances

• Serpentor

While not a Transformer, he is also known to suffer from this problem—especially through his hips, given the leg construction found on G.I. Joe toys of the era.

Toys often mistaken for having GPS

A number of toys have gold parts that easily break not due to the plastic used, but due to structural problems with the part designs themselves.

• Predator missile launchers

The Predator launcher pegs are notorious for breaking off, but this is due to their size. Those pegs are tiny; many other weapons with a similar peg have the same problem. However, the Predator launchers are worse off, as they are also used by larger figures like Skyquake. Also, the "false" trigger is known to break off, as it doesn't have a hinge, relying on the plastic to bend. (The actual trigger is a small, black, internal piece.) If the Predator launchers actually had GPS, the strength of the spring would cause them literally to explode.

• Thunder Clash

Thunder Clash's gold feet are often broken due to the design of the ratcheting transformation joint. The ratchets are so stiff that you're more likely to pry his feet apart before the ratchets budge. Like the Predator launchers, if this was due to GPS, Thunder Clash's launcher barrels would literally explode due to the very strong springs.

• Movie Legends Class Scorponok

Legends Scorponok's tail stinger, originally soft and bendy, tends to harden after a while, and then becomes prone to breaking. While the stinger is made of a gold plastic type, the cause for this problem appears to be an inferior plasticizer rather than traditional Gold Plastic Syndrome.

Etymology

The term was coined in an alt.toys.transformers post made by user Sky Shadow in September 2002. A post by Dave "Zobovor" Edwards, meanwhile, made in June of the previous year, is the earliest identifiable acknowledgment of the widespread nature of the phenomenon within the Transformers fan community.

Fiction

Transformers Animated

At some point during the great war, a vaccine for Gold Plastic Syndrome was developed by Red Alert. The AllSpark Almanac II

External links

• Demonstration of Gold Plastic Syndrome in effect at Youtube