i think one has just got to realize people are more likely to post when they disagree. its explains almost everything there! no hard feelings either way.

 

ER Optimus, Ultra Mangus and Huffer have clear plastic insets in solid plastic.

 

Bumblebees shield too. They know how to do it. The clear shoulder hinge on Hotrod is soooo scary....

 

Perhaps there's a higher likelihood of defect in the mold injection process for clear parts. Instead of clear plastic itself being more likely to break.

 

I expect EVERYTHING to break long-term. Plastic is not meant to be THAT durable.

 

Yo did you ever check your Jazz? Is it cracked?

 

The whites on him are different right out of the box. The parts you're talking about are off white as opposed to the bright whites used elsewhere. Here's mine taken the day I received him.



Can't really see those front wheel parts here but the thighs are a visibly different shade.

Here's the car mode though, again, day one.



It sounds daft but look at the G1 toy. It too shares the safe differences in whites above the wheels, almost like it's intentional. Even some video reviews point out the differences in the whites. Your figure isn't yellowing.

 

Never really had any significant clear-plastic breakage myself. To put this kind of things simply tho, they weren't meant to last. IMO You don't need to avoid them entirely, just be extra carful when handling them.

 

Yeah I did. You're right it is a tiny crack! Not sure it it was always there or just happened. Looks like it originates right where they cut the peice from the sprue...

 

The thermoplastic used to make the clear parts is chemically very different than the parts used in the rest of the toy. It’s probably polycarbonate, which is harder in many ways than the HD polyethylene that comprises many opaque parts, but also tends to resist changes to its molded shape and will crack much sooner when deformed. These cracks also have a tendency to “run” due to the nature of the bonding. Although the tensile strength and modulus (measures of hardness) of PC can be roughly 5x higher than that of HDPE, it’s elongation at breakage (how much it is willing to twist and bend before cracking) is around 5x less. PC is also more “fussy” after forming, requiring higher temperatures for longer periods to correctly “set”. It can be susceptible to cracks from chemical exposure as well, meaning mold release agents and solvents in paints can trigger visible fractures.

So, the plastics are chemically different and behave differently. Handling the parts carefully won’t necessarily guarantee that they won’t crack.

 

I suppose waiting for the crack to reach the exterior surface and applying a plastic solvent will only bandaid the problem...Sounds like my 86SS Jazz is destined to be a convertible.

 

If you find a liquid superglue that’s compatible with polycarbonate, you might seal the crack and at least stabilize it from running further. If thin enough, the glue should go into the crack via capillary action and you can wipe off the excess from the surface. Maybe not a perfect, permanent solution, but it may hold off more damage.

 

I know it won't last forever. But at least a little longer than our lifespans.

 

Would anyone here be willing to sell me their 86 jazz for parts? I am trying to fix mine that brook at the door hinge. Thank you

 

I have 2. One has a very small crack on the windshield. Just DM'ed you.

 

A word from the wise. Toys are made for children and not to last forever... Adult collectors don't play hard core and I have never had an issue that wasn't a QC issue. Avoiding clear plastic figures all together will definitely help your budget though because it will limit you to a handful of figures a year. My Jazz is still inbox because of this issue and I display RTS Jazz who has a clear window also... I guess I better open my Jazz while there are 5 warming shelves at my Walmart.

 

Just had GS Golden Disk Jackpot and Lucky Strike take a 7 foot shelf dive without any worsening of condition. Aptly-named duo, huh?

 

Screw that! I'm not skipping out on ANY G1 Main cast members!!! If I foolishly pass on any figures of main cast members now, I will most definitely just be buying a broken copy of that exact same figure from Ebay...at a 5X markup!!! Terrible Advice!!! This Thread is just bad comedy!!!

 

I'm pleased that Hasbro seems to be at least taking notice of the clear plastic situation somewhat by releasing Buzzworthy Kup and CJ without the clear plastic and then asking the fans their thoughts about it during the last TF Fan Friday. Mine is still ok but if they decide to re-release anymore SS/WFC figures without the clear plastic, I hope SS86 Jazz is next on the list.

 

Clear plastic for Cliff and Kup were never an issue. The issue was with Jazz only. I've bitched enuff about it. But to summarize, I'm on my 3rd copy. Just ordered a 4th. 1st cracked after 8 transformations? 2, crack out of the box LOL. 3rd has smallest crack of all 3 with only 2 transformations.

This 4th one I'm just gonna keep in bot mode. Fuckin Hasbro FFS.