A beautiful collection doesn’t belong hidden away in a dark safe. It’s meant to be enjoyed. Still, where you place a figure or statue can make a big difference in the long term.
Sunlight, heat, dust and unsuitable cleaning products work slowly. You often only notice the damage once colours have faded, plastic has yellowed or a delicate part has become dull. With a few simple habits, you can prevent many problems without turning your living room into a museum storage facility.
1. Direct sunlight is the biggest troublemaker
A window may seem like the perfect spot during the day: plenty of light, and your collectible immediately stands out. Unfortunately, daylight contains ultraviolet light. This can damage plastics, paint, coatings and textiles. Colours may fade, and some plastics can discolour or become more brittle over time.
So don’t place your display cabinet directly opposite a sunny window. A spot with indirect light is safer. Curtains, blinds and UV-protective film can help, but they don’t make a sunny spot completely risk-free.
Not sure? On a clear day, check a few times where the sun shines directly inside. The path of the sunlight changes throughout the day and throughout the year.
2. Choose lighting that gives off little heat
Good lighting brings details to life. It just shouldn’t noticeably heat up the collectible or the closed display cabinet.
LED lighting is usually more practical than warm spotlights, provided the lamp and power supply are positioned correctly. Leave enough space around the lighting and check after an hour whether the cabinet, shelf or figure feels warmer.
More light isn’t automatically better. Calm, focused lighting often shows shapes and textures better than a single harsh spotlight from above.
3. A display cabinet reduces dust, but doesn’t keep it out completely
A closed cabinet or acrylic display case limits how much dust settles on a collectible. This means less cleaning and reduces the chance of accidentally touching a small part every time you dust.
An ordinary display cabinet is rarely completely dustproof. So check the base, corners and horizontal surfaces regularly. If you want to give a smaller piece extra protection, consider a separate acrylic display case with lighting. Always measure the full height, width and depth first, including protruding weapons, capes or bases.
4. Remove dust carefully and dry
For many figures, a clean, very soft brush is the safest first step. Work calmly from top to bottom. Hold loose parts in place or temporarily remove them when the manufacturer safely allows this.
Do not use aggressive all-purpose cleaner, alcohol, bleach, solvents or furniture polish. Such products can permanently damage paint, coatings and plastic. A rough cloth can also cause fine scratches.
Is dry dusting not enough? First check the manufacturer’s care instructions. Materials and finishes vary considerably. What is safe for an unpainted hard plastic may be unsuitable for hand-painted polystone, faux leather or a glued detail.
5. Keep away from heat sources
Radiators, heating vents, bright spotlights and appliances that give off heat are not good neighbours for a collection. Heat accelerates ageing in many materials and can cause plastic under tension to deform.
Also pay attention to closed cabinets. A lamp that barely seems warm outside a display cabinet can still build up heat inside it. Don’t just feel the lamp, but also the air and surfaces around the collectible.
6. Give large and heavy pieces a stable base
A premium statue needs more than enough shelf width. Check the load capacity of the cabinet or shelf and distribute the weight. Don’t place a heavy piece on a narrow, unstable shelf or right against an edge.
Take doors, pets, playing children and vibrations from the floor or a speaker into account. An impressive dynamic pose may have an unexpectedly high or wide centre of gravity.
Only use fasteners or supports that won’t create pressure points, stains or chemical reactions. When in doubt, the original base and the mounting method intended by the manufacturer are the safest choices.
7. Store the box and instructions sensibly
The original packaging is useful when moving house or when a complex piece needs to be stored temporarily. Keep foam and boxes dry, clean and out of direct sunlight. Take photos of the correct placement of loose parts before unpacking everything.
Keeping the box isn’t a requirement for enjoying a collectible. It’s mainly practical when the piece has many fragile parts or needs to be transported safely later.
The best display is beautiful and stress-free
A good setup draws attention without putting strain on the collectible. Indirect light, limited heat, less dust and a stable surface form the foundation. After that comes the fun part: grouping by fandom, colour, scale or story.
Want to know whether a figure will fit in a particular display case? Measure the piece, including the base and protruding parts, and compare those measurements with the cabinet’s internal dimensions. You can also visit FANS in Antwerp to discuss your display question.
Nico from FANS — practical tips from our shop and collecting experience.
Sources and further reading
- Canadian Conservation Institute: caring for plastics and rubbers
- Canadian Conservation Institute: care of objects made from rubber and plastic
Important note
This article provides general preventive tips. For a specific product, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions first. For a valuable, old, sticky, cracked or discoloured object, advice from a professional conservator is wiser than experimenting yourself.