I know it might sound crazy, but anyone ever try it ? I'm working on a deal for a MOC with a frail blister and thought about shrinkwrapping as a possible securing for it. It would protect the whole card, and keep the bubble in check.

If ESB taught us anything (and it has) we need to test to see if the MOC can survive the shrink process. So anyone ever give it a whirl?

Are you talking about doing it just to protect it during freight?

Well shrink wrap is what you wrap aroun pallets and then hit with a heat gun, as far as I am aware.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrink_wrap

A vacuum forming machine is used to shape plastic like styrene etc.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vacuum_forming


I assume what you want to do is Vacuum Pack. Which takes the air out of the bag and seals it. Usually you can stop these machines at anytime. Depending on how much air you want to suck out of it. I reckon if you cut a piece of card the same as the cardback and place that in there with it to stop the card folding up*, you should be right mate.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vacuum_packing



*probably won't happen with just a home machine anyway.

Could be. Not really sure honestly

I wish I had a vacum machine here. I'd try it on that piece of crap IG-88 Tri-Logo reseal I have. Then again Sari has always wanted one of those things and they are on sale at Mardens

i think the shrinkwrapping method is the one you should use,and put it in a starcase filled with newspaper or shipping chips

Shrinkwrapping it would be pretty iffy. There's a fair chance you'd at least bend the corners.

As to sealing it, ones I've seen just used a hot wire that you placed it on to seal. You'd have to pretty careful to not burn the card, but it could be done.

It's basically just your everyday clingwrap, like you use in the kitchen.

I'd actually be a bit concerned about what it would do to the figure and package. The plastic isn't meant for long-term preservation, it could be slightly acidic.

I also don't think the figure would be able to breathe, so that may hasten it yellowing in combination with the other factors.

i'd have thought it would be safer to get an oscar case made with the bubble holding bits in place,like rick springfields headman was.at least you'll know it'll not further damage the card and uv protect it as well
i definatly wouldn't shrinkwrap it with heat.it'll kill the bubble for sure.i once heard if you gently warm a bubble with a hairdryer,the dings will straighten.trust me that is not the case just using everyday cling film may hold the bubble but i wouldn't like to say how it would react with the bubble over time. :scratch: good luck either way and keep us updated if you try any

daren

yeah-sus wrote:

i think the shrinkwrapping method is the one you should use,and put it in a starcase filled with newspaper or shipping chips

I might missunderstood you,i thought you asked how to secure a bubble when you shipping?
if the bubble is fragile go for the secure oscar cases on display

I wouldn't go for the acrylic case with extra protection around the bubble, because in transit the card will rattle around in the case and would guaranteed
be more damaged because of the old damage and the "protection".
I'd say go for a regular starcase with paper inside.
Or even better, some cotton.

I'd test it on a modern figure first...

Heat via shrink wrap = bad idea.

Vacuum and seal = bad idea

Anything involving heat is a risky deal. I think you would run a risk of ruining the bubble and/or card. Even successful in doing so.... Removing the wrap may pop off the original bubble if you’re not careful.

Vacuum and seal could pop off the original bubble and/or warp/damage the card. You could do a partial vacuum and seal but again if you wait a second too long, it could turn ugly.

Use the double bubble technique. Use another bubble to secure the edges over the original bubble seal within a protective case. Then use packing material like shredded paper or what not in the protective case. If you pack it full, it will not move around during transit.

I should've been more specific

I was thinking of putting the card against a thick piece of card stock and then heating from behind to just tighten the front up.

I shipped a top toys stormy in a seemingly perfect shipping scenario. Cardboard square border, bubble wrap, peanuts ,etc.. Bubble still lifted in transit. Just trying to see what else is out there.

Well there is one thing you can do to make it work.
Make a "mold" for the vacuum first. I don't think any card will survive if directly putting it through that procedure, but if you have a spare card to make a mold to go on and do each vacuum form from that before placing the real card in it I think it will be no problem. But getting the mold right is probably pretty hard.






edit:
This one showed a little better how to do it

Not unless shipping is $2000 in time and effort

Na once you got your setup it goes fast but making the setup not that fast

DarthBerizing wrote:

I should've been more specific

I was thinking of putting the card against a thick piece of card stock and then heating from behind to just tighten the front up.

I shipped a top toys stormy in a seemingly perfect shipping scenario. Cardboard square border, bubble wrap, peanuts ,etc.. Bubble still lifted in transit. Just trying to see what else is out there.

there was probably not much you could have done with that figure.top toys storms are notorious for the bubbles coming off.without even leaving a mark on the card :scratch: i guess they weren't sealed to good in the first place.

daren

emperorburns wrote:

DarthBerizing wrote:

I should've been more specific

I was thinking of putting the card against a thick piece of card stock and then heating from behind to just tighten the front up.

I shipped a top toys stormy in a seemingly perfect shipping scenario. Cardboard square border, bubble wrap, peanuts ,etc.. Bubble still lifted in transit. Just trying to see what else is out there.

there was probably not much you could have done with that figure.top toys storms are notorious for the bubbles coming off.without even leaving a mark on the card :scratch: i guess they weren't sealed to good in the first place.

daren

Funny too, because when you think of high quality standards my mind goes instantly to Argentina

Sometimes there's only so much you can do to protect a bubble John, especially if a seal is weak to begin with or the plastic has become very yellowed and brittle over time. Aside from the normal precautions like double-boxing and custom fitting the bubble with a makeshift cover like you did with my Bib, the next best thing you can do is keep the transit as short as possible. If it's a domestic deal, ship it overnight express.

Honestly, I think that even shrink wrapping it for the postage time only could be a bad idea.

If the plastic sweats due to the shrink wrap, it might further harden or loosen the glue under the bubble.

I think it's too risky to be worth trying, but I'm far from an expert.