How to Prevent Figure Yellowing: The Ultimate Long-Term Preservation Guide for Collectors

 For anyone who loves figure collecting, yellowing is often the most frustrating and hardest-to-reverse problem. Many collectors save up to buy their favorite characters, only to find that after a year or two the figure’s colors look dull, the skin tones turn yellow, clear parts become cloudy, and the overall quality visibly declines.

The truth is, yellowing is not completely unavoidable—most cases can actually be prevented or significantly slowed down. The key lies in one thing: the storage environment.

This guide provides a full “step-by-step tutorial,” explaining everything from the science behind yellowing to display environment setup, configuration, cleaning, and long-term maintenance. All instructions are practical and beginner-friendly, allowing anyone to build a safe and protective display setup.

1. Why Do Figures Turn Yellow? The Four Main Causes

To prevent yellowing, the first step is understanding why it happens. Almost all causes are environmental—and therefore can be controlled.

These are the four major factors:

1. UV Light — The No.1 Enemy of Figures

Whether it’s sunlight, fluorescent lamps, older lighting tubes, or certain indoor lights, anything that emits UV will damage PVC, ABS, and other plastics at a molecular level.

Long-term UV exposure causes:

• Faded colors
• Yellowing of skin-colored areas
• Cloudiness or yellowing of clear parts
• Accelerated aging of paint layers

👉 UV damage is irreversible—light control is the most important protection measure.

2. High Temperature — Speeds Up Plasticizer Evaporation

PVC and ABS contain plasticizers. When exposed to heat:

• Plasticizers evaporate faster
• They rise to the surface, causing stickiness
• The figure becomes brittle and yellows faster

In many homes, summer temperatures exceed 30°C (86°F), especially near windows or without air-conditioning—this is highly damaging.

👉 Ideal temperature: 18°C–25°C (64°F–77°F)
Stability matters more than low temperature.

3. High Humidity — Accelerates Oxidation and Paint Degradation

Humidity is a much bigger factor than most people realize.

High humidity causes:

• Increased dust adhesion
• Faster oxidation
• Weaker paint layers
• Clear parts turning cloudy

👉 Ideal humidity: 40%–60%
Anything above 70% speeds up aging significantly.

4. Airborne Pollutants — Common but Often Overlooked

Typical pollutants include:

• Cigarette smoke
• Kitchen grease vapor
• Formaldehyde from new furniture
• VOCs from glue and paint
• Dust and micro-particles

These stick to surfaces and make oxidation and yellowing occur faster.

👉 Figures should not be placed near kitchens, smoking areas, or newly assembled furniture.

2. The Ideal Figure Storage Environment: A Complete Setup Guide

Below is the most effective and achievable setup for long-term preservation.

Step 1: Get a Display Case (Mandatory)

Why is a display case so important?

A good case:

• Blocks dust
• Reduces humidity fluctuations
• Limits UV exposure
• Prevents contact with pollutants

In short: without a display case, long-term preservation is nearly impossible.

1. Glass Display Case (Most Recommended)

Examples: IKEA Detolf, MUJI glass cabinets.

Advantages:

• Controlled ventilation
• Easy light management
• Easy to clean
• Does not trap odors

2. Acrylic Case (Budget-friendly)

Great for small collections or lower budgets.

Notes:

• Acrylic scratches easily
• Keep away from heat sources
• High-seal cases may require dehumidifiers

3. Wood or Metal Cases (Not as recommended)

Wood releases VOCs like formaldehyde, especially when new.

Step 2: Prevent UV Exposure (Three Effective Methods)

Avoiding UV is the most effective way to prevent yellowing.

Method 1: Avoid Natural Light

Sunlight contains the strongest UV—even indirect light can cause long-term damage.

Do:

• Keep cases away from windows
• Keep them out of sunlit hallways
• Avoid direct or partial sunlight during peak hours

Method 2: Install UV-blocking Window Film or Curtains

Budget-friendly and highly effective.

Method 3: Use LED Lighting

LED emits almost zero UV.

Avoid:

• Fluorescent tubes
• Older lighting tubes
• UV-emitting lamps
• High-intensity spotlights aimed directly at figures

Step 3: Control Temperature (Stability = Safety)

Figures don’t need cold storage—just stability.

Recommendations:

• Maintain 18–25°C
• Don’t place near computers, TVs, routers
• Keep away from heaters or vents

If you live in a hot region:

• Use AC in summer
• Avoid window placements
• Prevent extreme fluctuations (e.g., 20°C morning → 30°C afternoon)

Step 4: Control Humidity (Essential for Long-Term Preservation)

Humidity too high accelerates aging; too low causes brittleness.

How to monitor humidity:

• Use an inexpensive digital thermo-hygrometer
• Place it inside or beside the display case

If humidity is too high:

• Add moisture absorbers
• Use a room dehumidifier
• Add silica gel packs for sealed cases

If humidity is too low:

• Rare, but in dry winters use a humidifier (not too close to the case)
• Avoid moisture absorbers inside cases

Ideal range remains: 40–60%

Step 5: Avoid Air Pollutants

Extremely important.

Avoid placing figures:

• Near kitchens
• Near balconies (wind + dust)
• Near new furniture
• Near smokers

If your home has heavy cooking:

• Keep figures in a separate room
• Use sealed display cases

Oil vapor damage is almost impossible to fully clean.

Step 6: Safe Display Case Lighting Setup

To achieve museum-style lighting safely:

Recommended:

• LED strip lights
• Color temperature 3000K–6000K
• Keep distance between LEDs and figures
• Use aluminum channels for heat dissipation

Avoid:

• Direct, intense beams
• Hot lighting
• UV lights

3. Figure Cleaning Tutorial: Essential for Keeping Them Like New

Displayed figures will inevitably gather dust—clean them properly.

Tools You Need

• Soft makeup brush (best choice)
• Air blower bulb
• Mild neutral cleaner (optional)
• Microfiber cloth (lens cloth type)

Cleaning Steps

Step 1: Blow off loose dust

Never brush dust directly—it may scratch paint.

Step 2: Gently brush with a makeup brush

Avoid:

• Toothbrushes
• Hard or coarse brushes
• Wet cloths on the first pass

Step 3: Light wet cleaning (only when needed)

Use only for:

• Stains
• Areas unlikely to lose paint

Mix:

• Water + a single drop of mild soap

Wet cloth → wring dry → gently wipe.

❌ Never use:

• Alcohol
• Nail polish remover
• Strong detergents
• Solvents

These destroy paint and cloud clear plastic instantly.

4. Advanced Long-Term Preservation Tips (For Serious Collectors)

1. Regular Inspection (Every 1–2 Months)

Check for:

• Stickiness
• Discoloration
• Dust build-up
• Humidity problems

Early detection prevents permanent damage.

2. Extra Care for Clear Parts and Black Parts

Clear parts:

• Most prone to yellowing
• Avoid all direct light
• Keep humidity stable

Black parts:

• Absorb heat
• Avoid placing near lights

3. Store Accessories Separately

Examples:

• Weapons
• Wings
• Effect parts

Leaving them attached long-term may cause:

• Loose joints
• Warping
• Stress marks

Store them in small zipper bags.

4. If Storing Long-Term: Use Original Packaging

For long-term storage:

• Wrap with original inner packaging
• Add tissue paper or bubble wrap
• Keep inside original box
• Store in a cool, dry place

The original packaging is designed for safe storage.

5. Common Mistakes That Cause Yellowing (Most Collectors Have Done These)

❌ 1. Using open shelves
Dust + light = fast yellowing.

❌ 2. Letting figures get any direct sunlight
Even “30 minutes” causes long-term damage.

❌ 3. Hot lights placed too close
LED strips placed too near cause localized heating.

❌ 4. No dehumidifying in humid regions
Humidity above 80% will drastically shorten lifespan.

❌ 5. Cleaning with alcohol
Clear parts immediately become cloudy.

❌ 6. Displaying near electronics
Heat from computers, TVs, and routers accelerates aging.

6. Example Perfect Storage Setups

Entry-Level (Budget-Friendly)

• IKEA Detolf
• LED strip lights
• Moisture absorbers
• Hygrometer
• Keep away from sunlight and heat sources

Effectiveness: ~80% protection

Intermediate Setup

• Sealed glass or acrylic case
• LED strips + heat sink channel
• Room temp 20–26°C
• Humidity 45–55%
• UV-blocking window film
• Regular cleaning and inspection

Effectiveness: ~95% protection

Advanced / Professional Setup

• Full-room AC and dehumidifier
• Display cases with UV-filter glass
• Indirect, low-heat LED lighting
• Electronic dehumidifier inside cabinet
• All clear parts stored away from light
• Strong lights used only for photography

Effectiveness: ~98% protection

7. If You Only Remember Three Things, Remember These

1. Avoid light exposure (UV is the real killer)
   UV damage is irreversible.
2. Control temperature and humidity
   18–25°C and 40–60% humidity are the safest ranges.
3. Avoid pollutants
   Oil vapor, dust, and smoke speed up yellowing and stickiness.

Do these three, and most figures will stay nearly unchanged for 5–10 years—and even beyond a decade if maintained properly.

This tutorial aims to help you build a safe, stable, long-lasting, and visually appealing display environment. Whether you're a beginner or a collector with hundreds of figures, these practical steps will help keep your collection looking as vibrant as the day you bought it.