Photodegradation
Photodegradation, more commonly referred to by toy collectors as "yellowing", is the phenomenon by which the plastics in a Transformers toy grow discolored over time. The process is generally started by exposure to ultraviolet light, whether from natural sunlight or fluorescent lighting. Photodegradation is most noticeable on figures with bright white or light grey plastics, although it actually happens to virtually all colors (surprisingly enough, when blue plastics photodegrade, it is often referred to as "greening").
There is no hard and fast way to determine which individual figures will be more susceptible to it. A Jetfire opened once, then left in a closet for 20 years seems just as likely to be affected as one left sitting on a shelf for the same amount of time. Since yellowing is a function of the plastic itself decomposing with age, it can still strike toys that have been kept in complete darkness for prolonged periods of time. Furthermore, different pieces of identically-colored plastic on the same toy can photodegrade differently, resulting in a Nightbeat with a normally colored canopy and discolored legs. Areas covered by decals are typically unaffected. As manufacturing changes over the years, the time for onset of photodegradation can also change, as discussed further below.
Photodegradation is not to be confused with cigarette smoke residue, which also leaves a yellowish cast on plastic (and can be removed with toothpaste or other products designed to remove cigarette stains) or sun damage, a bleaching effect caused by exposure to direct sunlight (which more commonly affects packaging materials).
Treatment Options
The Transformers fandom has struggled with this issue for ages, and despite having the answer for some time, fans still often tinker with various concoctions hoping to reverse this scourge. Simply put, if a liberal amount of denture cream/household cleanser/virgin blood gets the toy white again, it wasn't photodegradation, it was your common everyday grime that you removed. Some people have experimented with physically removing layers of plastic from toys (via fine-grit sandpaper) to remove photodegradation, but this seems like a temporary fix at best (and one that actually may damage the toy more).
However, a much more promising technique surfaced on discussion boards in December 2008. This newly-discovered method consists of immersing the yellowed figures in a clear container (plastic or glass) full of a hydrogen peroxide solution, then leaving it exposed to direct sunlight for varying lengths of time. Test runs have indeed shown that figures displaying substantial photodegradation were largely or entirely restored to their original pigments. Though the technique has not yet been evaluated by professional chemists, the Decepticons are already plotting to steal the miracle cure for themselves.
Note that even these dramatic results are more of a treatment than a cure: even plastic that is treated, then kept in darkness with an airtight surface cover (such as a coat of varnish) will eventually turn yellow again. C'est la vie.
A few caveats
- As of June 2016, there have been no reports that the hydrogen peroxide technique causes embrittlement or any other collateral damage to the toys. What has been confirmed is that the yellowing will eventually and inevitably return. The TFWiki will not be held responsible for any damage your toys may incur from trying this technique.
- Strong solutions of hydrogen peroxide are very nasty business, requiring proper safety precautions: thick gloves, goggles, and ample ventilation. The TFWiki will not be held responsible if you turbo-revvin' young punks mishandle the stuff and require hospitalization and skin grafts.
Recent Developments
For reasons not fully explained, very rapid photodegradation has become more common since approximately the advent of the War for Cybertron Trilogy Earthrise toyline and thereafter. Where the plastic decay would once have taken years or even decades to become noticeable, there have now been widespread reports of figures such as Cyberverse Deluxe Class Arcee, Kingdom Grimlock, and many, many others yellowing in just a matter of months - as well as sightings of Studio Series Bumblebee Ratchet visibly yellowed while still packaged and newly-arrived on store shelves, having decayed in just the time it took to ship from Asia. Another toy that frequently displayed photodegradation straight out of the box was Legacy Motormaster, which many collectors found particularly displeasing as it was a Commander-class toy with an MSRP of $90. Notably, this issue seems to specifically be affecting unpaintable plastics. Hasbro has attributed this issue to the worldwide [[wikipedia:{{#if:|:}}COVID-19|{{#if:||COVID-19}}]] pandemic making it difficult for them to send dedicated quality control agents to their factories in Vietnam.<ref>Yellowing on recent figures – Aware, researching issue. Has been seen by Mark and team, forwarded to engineering for research. Feedback, specifics always welcome, helps narrow down the problem. Pandemic restricted traveling to Asia for quality checks. — TFW2005 summary of Transformers Fan Roundtable on April 20, 2022</ref>
- For more on this issue and a list of affected figures, see the section in Unpaintable Plastic
Fiction
Ask Vector Prime
The S.T.A.R.S. weaponized Gold Plastic Syndrome and invented the Photo Degradation Protocol in a failed attempt to fight off Galvatron's mindless hordes of Decepto-Pack-enhanced human slaves. Ask Vector Prime