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Question on loose storage
Topic Started: May 10 2012, 03:19 PM (1,749 Views)
toyotageek
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Japanese Minicar Maniac
Took me till I read this whole thread to notice how old it was.... :rolleyes:

No ideas or suggestions other than what others have said.

I like those Hot Cases (but it seems the shop is closed - don't know since when).

I like/hate Jammers. I don't like the 2 sidedness of them, as it tosses the cars around if used flat (horizontally). I still have & use some though...

Plano used to have some great assortment of cases that I'd use for my old lead D&D figures. Prices WERE right and they were found in the fishing department - but I've never found any that are "just right" for diecast.

Recently I picked up some neat little trays (without lids) from a $1 store called Daiso. They work nicely for Tomica boxes and they stack, but are on the small side. They came in bright colors (including pink, oh my!), but once they sell out, that's it... no more! I have a dozen or so.

I currently use several of these methods for storage. I also use small resealable (zip-lock style) bags from ULINE, as well as ProtectoPak (Loose Car ProtectoPak). These are stored in various storage cases from Sterilite and other brands.

I don't know why someone can't make the perfect storage container for diecast - straight sides (not angled), square corners (not curved), stackable trays with dividers..... :wacko:

If I were rich and didn't care about making money, I'd start up a company and make 'em! :lol:
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microbuss
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SUV
I store my cars in old cardboard boxes that speakers came in
10" & 12" speaker boxes is what most mine are
I used to store all the cars in the box on top of one another
Later I used cardboard the size of the boxes to do layers of cars
1 layer cars then cardboard Cars on that etc
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b2young
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Sad firefighter
Like Michael, I didn't realize this thread started YEARS ago.....

However, though I've not had issues with tissues, remember that your eye doctor will advise NOT to use any paper product (tissues, paper towels, napkins, etc) OR cotton/fabric (T-shirts, any shirt, hand towels, etc) to clean your eyeglasses. Paper products are fibrous, and while they feel soft to our rough hands, they SCRATCH glass and plastic, and likely enamel (and other) paints used on our beloved toys and models. Cotton and other fabrics are no less abrasive to plastics and even glass.....one reason paper towels are useful for cleaning windows is they are abrasive enough to scrape the dirt off with the help of the solvents in the cleaners.

I think the best option mentioned in this thread is using packing peanuts. They can help wedge the car into the slot so it is less likely to move around and rub against the sides. I've used cotton balls as well, but I wonder, after seeing firsthand the damage cotton fabric can do to my eyeglasses....not to mention kleenex and other paper that was all I could find when the need arose....I am less inclined to use anything other than closed-cell foam (packing peanuts or stiffer foam padding) to prevent abrasion to models. The open-cell adhesive strips (insulation) can be useful, but I'd be wary of leaving the cases in sunlight or near heat sources because of the foam melting onto the model.
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HWJOE
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SLWPAR
May 10 2012, 06:59 PM
Great ideas so far! Has anyone here used Hot Cases? Found this website while Google searching... They look neat.
I have over 12 HOT CASES full of my loose collection and will be converting more over the next year!
Each HC holds can hold up to 108 cars with the standard inserts!
Once the cars are in, there is where they stay. Even if the car is a bit small for the slot, there is nothing hard for the car to come into contact with.
They def work for me!
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toyotageek
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Japanese Minicar Maniac
HWJOE
May 29 2015, 02:01 PM
SLWPAR
May 10 2012, 06:59 PM
Great ideas so far! Has anyone here used Hot Cases? Found this website while Google searching... They look neat.
I have over 12 HOT CASES full of my loose collection and will be converting more over the next year!
Each HC holds can hold up to 108 cars with the standard inserts!
Once the cars are in, there is where they stay. Even if the car is a bit small for the slot, there is nothing hard for the car to come into contact with.
They def work for me!
May I ask how much were they, and where did you buy them?
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Hobie-wan
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SUV
FWIW, I also stuff a peanut or two into jammer compartments with nicer or harder to obtain cars that I don't want shifting around.
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GMack64
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Compact
I use the M2 Auto cases to store and display my loose cars, with a piece of felt on the base for the tyre issue and the wire around the axles done loosely keeps the car in place without movement or damage so never touches the sides, you can even turn the case upside down and it doesn't fall off the base. For storage you just put the case back in the blue box it comes in (5 to a box) and into a cardboard box all nice and neat... Just wish they would make a 2" high box for slightly larger vehicles (like tow trucks, ie: MB73 etc.) height wise.
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cody6268
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Minivan
Oh shoot! And I wonder why my glasses are so scratched up!

Personally, I prefer to use old 48 and 72 car Lesney Matchbox cases laid flat, but three-fourths of my collection is in Jammers. Most of what easily breaks or is vintage and minty I try to keep on display to keep them in good condition.
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Atencio
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Station Wagon
A long time ago Kimmo turned me on to protecto-paks. Been using then ever since. Put a sticker on the bottom with the name of the car in case I lose my database. Happened before.
Posted Image

Posted Image
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Sirentoys
Fullsize
You guys are rough on your cars. :rolleyes: I use a variety of cases to store my cars. I am switching to mostly Jammers. I have not had any issues with paint chips or excessive rubs on the cars. I am using Plano divider cases for my Greenlights because many do not fit well in the Jammers.

I have a bunch of the Hot Cases. I originally got them for holding my cars by years. I liked them because they store both loose ad blistered cars.

There was a Japanese dealer that sold Kyshos and Tomicas a few years back (Hobby something?) that sold clear boxes. I bought 500 of them to store loose cars in. I use them for Prepros etc so I can see them in the large storage tubs.

ONe thing to remember that was stated, any of the petro chemicals used can react with any of the other petro chemicals used causing problems and damage. Also it will vary from model to model and case to case. The reason is all of the plastics are a mixture that varies slightly in each batch so a small change will cause the reaction. I have seen this with rubber tires on a plastic shelf and plastic tires in Hot Ones foam. Also I would refrain from using styrofoam with any plastic or paint. It easily sticks to paint and plastic. I see it all the time at work.

When I do protect the model I usually use tissue paper used for presents.

Jeff
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HWJOE
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toyotageek
May 29 2015, 02:19 PM
HWJOE
May 29 2015, 02:01 PM
SLWPAR
May 10 2012, 06:59 PM
Great ideas so far! Has anyone here used Hot Cases? Found this website while Google searching... They look neat.
I have over 12 HOT CASES full of my loose collection and will be converting more over the next year!
Each HC holds can hold up to 108 cars with the standard inserts!
Once the cars are in, there is where they stay. Even if the car is a bit small for the slot, there is nothing hard for the car to come into contact with.
They def work for me!
May I ask how much were they, and where did you buy them?
I bought them directly from hot-cases.com.
I've known the owner for many years he's a great guy to deal with.

the case itself cost about $8-10 each and then 9 inserts which I can't remember the cost of those. Just check out the website and everything is spelled out there. It does sound expensive but the storage benefits I think outweigh the cost.
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Milton Fox Racing
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SUV
Thanks for the follow ups on storage so far!

Doesnt appear to be anything new commercially in the interium.

One other device, I have used for racing trays are two shirt boxes combined into one tray. Section dividers are wrapped in tissue paper and allow me to have two more rows of cars in each tray box. I leave a lid for potential storage, but havent had to go there yet!


Posted Image
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JustDavid
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SUV
How do you keep the cars from banging into each other? Do you wrap each one individually?
Edited by JustDavid, May 30 2015, 12:45 PM.
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toyotageek
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Japanese Minicar Maniac
HWJOE
May 29 2015, 09:19 PM
I bought them directly from hot-cases.com.
I've known the owner for many years he's a great guy to deal with.

the case itself cost about $8-10 each and then 9 inserts which I can't remember the cost of those. Just check out the website and everything is spelled out there. It does sound expensive but the storage benefits I think outweigh the cost.
I did previously check their website, but they have this message posted:

Quote:
 
To All Our Customers
We would like to thank all our customers that have supported our business over the past 14 years. Do to horrific rate increases from the major shipping carriers, UPS, Fedex, and USPS, we have decided to change our business direction. We will be reorganizing with different structures in place to continue production. Meanwhile we will have disrupted service, and be unable to take orders, until all details are finalized.


No indication of when this was posted or how long it's in effect. There is no place on their website to order cases, so I assume it is not currently possible to order from them.
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Atencio
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Station Wagon
I have been using my plastic boxes for over 7 years with no reaction issues. I live in a dry climate. Can't put the Kyosho in there though. Not enough protection for mirrors but there is nothing outside of the package they come in that would offer storage protection.
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Milton Fox Racing
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SUV
JustDavid
May 30 2015, 12:44 PM
How do you keep the cars from banging into each other? Do you wrap each one individually?
The race boxes usually stay put - as shown - stacked underneath the race tracks. I have 3 right now and leave the rows open (for now) so it is easier to pick up and put back cars. In the first box; initially I zig zagged the inserts from the Hot Wheels segment track - to seperate the cars side to side, but it was inconvient to take them in and out of the box that way.

With the lid off and turned over; I put the bottom part back into the lid. This gives you 3 to 4 layers of card stock bottom support and the box is actually pretty stiff that way! This way I can move them around (carefully and staying level) and they dont slide side ways, but do move forward and back.

All my racers have a few nips and chips as they do leave the track (rarely now that I have tuned the segments) or bounce of the track at the starting gate.

For longer term storage I would loosely wrap each car in tissue, tissue paper or paper towels. (I dont plan on rubbing them with the "paper''; as I agree it can be abrasive if you rub with either product. Wrapped and setting on their wheels or tops, you could add an extra car in each row opening that way as well.

Another ideal I have is to stack them on their sides with the thin foam sheets as inserts between each car and store the boxes vertically. Depending on the box size, you can get 10 to 12 in each row that way.
Edited by Milton Fox Racing, May 31 2015, 03:37 AM.
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JustDavid
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SUV
Thank you! Sounds like a great system you've got.
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W Gee
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Station Wagon
I buy the snack sized ziplock baggies from the dollar store and close them 3/4. They are about twice as wide and twice as long as an average 1/64. Fold the extra width under the car, then fold the extra length under that. I find that in most cases the bag will expand back out and fill up the cubbie in a Jammer or HW carry case and limit any movement
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HWJOE
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W Gee
May 31 2015, 09:20 PM
I buy the snack sized ziplock baggies from the dollar store and close them 3/4. They are about twice as wide and twice as long as an average 1/64. Fold the extra width under the car, then fold the extra length under that. I find that in most cases the bag will expand back out and fill up the cubbie in a Jammer or HW carry case and limit any movement
Unfortunately if the storage area is prone to any amount of dampness, for any period of time, the bags could build up moisture inside them which is def not good for the car.
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HWJOE
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toyotageek
May 30 2015, 11:53 PM
HWJOE
May 29 2015, 09:19 PM
I bought them directly from hot-cases.com.
I've known the owner for many years he's a great guy to deal with.

the case itself cost about $8-10 each and then 9 inserts which I can't remember the cost of those. Just check out the website and everything is spelled out there. It does sound expensive but the storage benefits I think outweigh the cost.
I did previously check their website, but they have this message posted:

Quote:
 
To All Our Customers
We would like to thank all our customers that have supported our business over the past 14 years. Do to horrific rate increases from the major shipping carriers, UPS, Fedex, and USPS, we have decided to change our business direction. We will be reorganizing with different structures in place to continue production. Meanwhile we will have disrupted service, and be unable to take orders, until all details are finalized.


No indication of when this was posted or how long it's in effect. There is no place on their website to order cases, so I assume it is not currently possible to order from them.
Wow; I didn't know this!!!!! :o
I haven't bought from them in about 4-6 months.
That is unfortunate. :(
Edited by HWJOE, Jun 1 2015, 09:59 AM.
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Eurosport94
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Station Wagon
I'm glad I'm not the only one who didn't notice the age of this thread until the end LOL.

99% of my loose collection is all in Jammers, and up until they went into long term storage they were just in each slot. No damage done then, but now that they're really stored away I cut little pieces of bubble wrap and put them in each cubby to protect the front/back. And then put a sheet over the entire open area in general...then taped the door shut. Little over kill, but they are still all in great shape after 4 years.
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toyotageek
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Japanese Minicar Maniac
HWJOE
Jun 1 2015, 07:45 AM
W Gee
May 31 2015, 09:20 PM
I buy the snack sized ziplock baggies from the dollar store and close them 3/4. They are about twice as wide and twice as long as an average 1/64. Fold the extra width under the car, then fold the extra length under that. I find that in most cases the bag will expand back out and fill up the cubbie in a Jammer or HW carry case and limit any movement
Unfortunately if the storage area is prone to any amount of dampness, for any period of time, the bags could build up moisture inside them which is def not good for the car.
Somrthing obvious that was brought to my attention while checking things out during this thread (from the hotcases.com site).... If you live in a moist (high humidity) environment you can use desicant:

http://hotcases.com/desiccant.html


Quote:
 
What is the most damaging to things to your collection?

That was the question proposed by Mr. David Scott, Head Curator of Metals at the Getty Conservation Institute (GCI), which is part of the Getty Museum here in Los Angeles. The GCI is the research and preservation arm of the Getty, working with paintings, sculptures and art objects dating back thousands of years. Mr. Scott oversees the GCI's metals department, where research is conducted into examining trace minerals found in paint pigments.

The reasons for this specific research was twofold: One, to find out the best way to preserve redlines and blisters, and two, to find out more about the various effects the environment has on these cars in general. Good News and Bad News:

Good news: If you follow some general guidelines, you can preserve your cars quite well for a long time. The bad news is that you can also do a lot of things wrong and have some rapidly deteriorating cars in no time at all.

Moisture:
Unless you live in a vacuum, there will be some degree of humidity in the air, which is constantly at work on the metal and will eventually dull any unpainted surface as well as leading to corrosion. If you live in the south or the eastern parts of the US, this can be a major problem. Organic Acids, Airborne Pollutants, Ultraviolet light.

Blister pak Storage:
Keeping a car inside a blister is not the optimal way of preserving a car for future generations. First of all, the air inside the blister is NOT akin to an airtight time capsule there's plenty of breathing that occurs thru the cardboard of the blister. Plus, depending on the amount of pulp in the cardboard and the fun toxins in the glue that holds the bubble to the card, you have your own miniature laboratory of gasses and acids at work. Mr. Scott recommends that if you do keep cars in blisters, to store the blisters in a container with silica and carbon to absorb as much of the contaminates as possible.
Edited by toyotageek, Jun 1 2015, 12:33 PM.
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