Hi. Sorry for the odd thread, but I have some concerns that I was wondrring if you guys could help me with.

I received a copy of Gigapower's "weathered" Grassor the other day, which appears to have flat paint, with no clear or sealant, and then a black wash over that. I noticed a stronger odor from the figure than I am used to experiencin as soon as I opened him up and got him in my hands (I have had Chrome versions of their other figures and experienced no such odor).
As well, the paint feels "chalky" and rough, like it is coming off on my hands. I took a damn paper towel and wiped the figure down, to see if that helped, and it might have. However, I was able to dab a damp q-tip on areas of the figure and black came off on the q-tip.
I feel like my breathing has been tighter and my nose has been more stuffed up just since getting the figure 24 hours ago.

So, for weathered finish versions, or for this type of weathered paint style in general, are there any concerns with the paint feeling like it is coming off on or leaving a residue/powdery feeling on your hands? I am just wondering about the safety/toxicity of the paint used, and the situation in general. Nothing at all against Gigapower, but China and Chinese companies are not know for prioritizing safety of workers or customers. I doubt they did extensive research around the paint/treatment used on the figure to get the weathered effect.

I just don't want to get sick or risk my or my 7 year-old son's health for a figure.

Any thoughts or info are/is greatly and genuinely appreciated. Thank you.

 

I would expect the use of more toxic paints in general in third party toys. These are not designed for use by children of are not made in mass quantities that would likely get flagged for testing or meeting import regulations. None of this stuff is marketed directly to North America. None of it is set up to pass any regulations. It’s the Wild West out there. Buyer beware.

Think of all the stories you’ve heard about toxic paints and metals regarding mass market kid’s jewellery found in North American retail that originated from overseas.

3P is already a shady business. Heck half the packages say don’t eat this! The stuff that stinks the most is whatever gets put into vinyl to make it pliable and feel like rubber tires.

Don’t let kids around adult collectibles.

I imagine that official Takara stuff would meet common health regulations.

 

So the paint is coming off then?

 

There could be several explanations, starting with the presence of a transparent mold release agent that is what you wiped off it that seemed to help, especially if the paper towel did not come away with actual paint transfer on it when you wiped down the figure.
I'd be surprised if any figure from an established company didn't have at least a thin application of a protective clearcoat over the paint. It won't necessarily prevent chipping, but it would prevent the paint itself from transferring when gently rubbed as you described. If it's just the wash transferring, that's not really paint in the traditional sense, but it would have been wise for them to clearcoat over it to keep it intact.
Toxins off-gassing from VOC-based paint is a real thing and will happen regardless unless they use no/very low VOC paints, which to someone's earlier point, I would not expect to be part of the cost equation for a 3P company producing gray market products.

 

The "wash" definitely can come off by simply rubbing a damp paper towel over it.

I wonder how hard it would be, how successful it could be to spray some Tamiya flat clear over the figure. Maybe go very, very lightly, doing multiple light/fine coats over days/weeks, so as to not have to break down the figure into parts to paint it.

 

If you feel concerned about the figure, sell it. I’ve gotten rid of a few older official TFs even though I liked them, because the plastic stunk so bad I didn’t feel comfortable having them around. Then there are figures where airing and wiping down helped, so I kept them. And a few I suspect are painted with lead paint, which I keep but handle rarely to avoid paint flakes.

I do let my kids play with some 3p figures, but I make sure they wash their hands afterwards. I’m less concerned about myself because I think that if the Chernobyl fallout in the eighties didn’t kill me, a little toxic 3p won’t either.

 

Sounds like the weathering is done the way it is for most models/dioramas-----with powders/washes, not paint. The actual ingredients in most of those, are clays and pigments---often VERY similar to eye makeup. "Cheap drugstore black/smokey eyeshadow" is (stealthily) bought by many guys to weather models, vs paying $20 for "the real stuff" from a hobby store...

Here's an official Tamiya model kit weathering set, not cheap:

Remind you of anything?

Not having the figure in hand, I kind of want to vote that the smell though, is more likely to be the plastic itself. Getting the mix even slightly wrong, can lead to some rather chemical-smelling, "stinky plastic". (Does it smell more like vinyl, lighter fluid, or kinda "burnt electrical"?) (those are the main smells of "bad plastic")

 

Well that's disappointing to hear, but I'm glad I heard it before the 3rd one came out.

Guess I'll be selling my Guttur and Grassor once they finally decide to arrive then, thanks bud.

 

I just picked up both Guttur and Grassor weathered. They look amazing! Just curious for those that bought the original chrome or metallic versions. Who came out 3rd, 4th and 5th? Just wondering who might be the next weathered version.

thanks!

 

Its more likely you are suffering from Covid-19.

Get tested. Get help.

 

What? Did you wait a week to respond to the OP?

So back to my question, anyone know who the 3rd Gigasaur was?

 

Toxic paint ?! Wtf - I’m too high for all this shit

 

The OP hasn’t been on here in over a week....

 

So I take it the paint took him ... fucking first the ‘rona, now this ....

 

I have no idea what you or the OP are talking about. This was one of the only
Gigapower posts that wasn’t sale thread. I’ll move to another one and let you guys have at it.

 

read the first post. Its a thread about the paint.

 

Yeah, I asked a question in the thread and people jumped back to a comment made over a week ago...as opposed to the question just asked. Again, all good though. This thread seems to be full moon status, I’ll bail and ask it somewhere else

 

I didnt quote you.

 

Swoop and Grimlock were 4 and 5 I believe respectively