To all the Franks, Boomers, and Erics:

I think the lesson I have to draw from this is to get a coat of paint on my track ties.  For us, the issue is the sun is almost constantly directly overhead all year round, meaning the UV is constant.  I imagine that in some ways it mirrors those at altitude who might have shorter or less direct sun exposure but less atmosphere to provide UV shielding.

As for speedo, no, I go traditional.  Google "malo."  Then try to un-see it! 

Eric / Frank / Boomer / Ric

Ric Golding said:

Eric (or I guess you want us to call you Frank now),

I'm amazed at what Florida Sun does to things, as opposed to Midwest Sun.

 Ric,

  Think about that comment while you are basking in the Florida sun wearing your speedo and stockings!

Frank who ?

Okay you be Frank, I will be Eric...anybody want to be Boomer. You should probably check the job description before signing up.

My experience is the UV is destroying the plastic and resin. Altitude plus the large amount of cloudless sunny days make NM a crucible. I think Franks experience in Hawaii is also the large amount of sun even though he is close to sea level.

I paint my track ties for the UV.  Those in this area who do not have paid the price.

I do not know if humidity has anything to do with it. Perhaps someone else can expound on that.

I will do close ups and I hope to have new examples to compare for some of the figures.

Thanks for the interest in this guys.

Eric (the model RR formerly known as Boomer)

Eric Mueller said:

To be frank, I am shocked at how well these figures held up.  I don't leave anything plastic outside, as I have witnessed our tropical sun destroy my kids' toys in a year or two.  Maybe it is worth a re-think...

 

Eric

Eric (or I guess you want us to call you Frank now),

I'm amazed at what Florida Sun does to things, as opposed to Midwest Sun.  But I also think Sun through moisture (like morning dew) magnifies the heat deterioration tremendously and oxidation.  I'm thinking Boomer's climate is dry and I'm wondering if that is helping in this situation.  Reading about the restoration of 4014 in the Trains Special Issue, they spoke of how 4014 was the candidate in the best condition of the surviving "Big Boys", because of where it was displayed in the dry climate.  Some actually had moss growing in the boiler and cylinders.

.

I also appreciate Boomer's testing, it really is an impressive example. 

To be frank, I am shocked at how well these figures held up.  I don't leave anything plastic outside, as I have witnessed our tropical sun destroy my kids' toys in a year or two.  Maybe it is worth a re-think...

Eric

This is so scientific, Boomer, I love it. As Pete said, they all look better after "weather"ing, to me, and it would be good to see some closeups. Though the 10 foot rule would imply that closeups don't matter, eh?

My “important” thoughts are, looking at the pictures without seeing them close up, is the 11 months have made them look more lifelike and taken the shine off everything in a good way. Maybe at the end of the experiment some close up of each one to show any paint flaking or deterioration would be a good final. other than the ones that broke at the beginning do you think they are brittle, maybe break an arm on each (interrogation) to see if they are brittle! I am just rambling and throwing ideas around, like I do on chat!

I think that the worst is 3rd from left. Thanks again Boomer 

The midget on the end seems to be handling the duration well !

Nov 1st

We are well into the fall season now. Already had our first snow. Sun is low in the sky and certainly well past those long summer days.

Not a lot of visible difference from last month. Just one more monthly update to go.

October 1

September 1st

Comparisons.

Woodland Scenics seem to holding better than any thing else.

As always Boomer your figures looks great, before and after fading.

Dennis

wow , some of them look like they have just been sprayed with some Dullcoat, most are holding up quite well. Maybe some close ups or a comparison picture from 2 of the outside shots, since that is where most of us will be looking at them anyway. Very informative thread Boomer!

Native American, porter and yelling dude seem to be really holding up well, well almost all look like very little wear and tear, ceptin the broken legs/ankles

August 1st

bringing to the fore 

Thank you again for the updates Boomer

July 1st

Chalky haze is accumulating on the Railroad Ave figure and every place the mud was on him the paint was stripped.

Generally, reds, oranges and yellows tend to fade the worst, and this test appears to be bearing that out. The pink shirt on the kid now looks almost white, as does the yellowish shirt on the shorter, pop-eyed guy. Even the green suitcase has lost its yellow and now looks powder blue. But a more accurate judgement could be made if the before and after pictures were taken in the same lighting conditions.

And I dunno what kind of paint was on the Jed Clampet looking dude's overalls, but his pant legs appear to be shedding that paint in flakes.

Looking long and hard at the pictures, I must ask if it is the picture coloration or the actual figure coloration, that seems to show that the greatest noticeable change to me is in the skin toning. I can see that the clothes are fading and it's possible that their mass invades the perception of the amount of fade between the areas.???????