Thinking of transforming my MOC collection into a loose.

[erickfate]

So I have really been thinking about opening everything up. The idea of the space saved plus grouping of like figures together almost has me sold. One of my concerns is dust. How often and what products do you use for dust? Does a can of air work well? Has anybody opened up everything and regretted it? Has anybody opened up everything and loved it? Any input is welcome.

[Sting]

My collection is mostly loose. Dust was a big concern of mine, so i store most of my figures in plastic boxes using draw dividers to separate them. I also have a display cabinet that is sealed, where i have my favourite figures displayed. Dust has never touched any of my loose figures to this day and counting! And I can rotate the figures from my boxes into my display cabinet any time i want to freshen it up.
I dont display all of my figures all the time, so this kind of set up may not work for you.

The rest of my figures (about 20) are MOC.

[Biff Slamkovich™]

I'm literally doing this right now.

I'm unboxing a 732 elite figure collection (about 300 had been unboxed prior but were put back into their packages and placed in storage) and this whole process has been a nightmare.

Opening things up, organizing/labelling the spare hands/accessories, breaking down the packaging, posing the figure, then moving onto the next one. I'm now debating mid-open if I really want to toss packaging for certain figures or not like "will I regret this?" kinda thing.

[AttitudeLegendCollector]

I did this two years ago and it was the best decision I ever made. I was MOC for a fair few years but I couldn’t see or appreciate my collection as they were all stored away in totes and if you have a sizeable collection like I did/have it’s hard to have the room to display MOC. It was also getting too difficult to actually achieve MOC boxes, they would come in the post in all kinds of shape or even finding mint boxes on shelves was tough - now I don’t have to stress about it.

All mine are on shelves in timeline order and I absolutely love seeing them. I am lucky to have a room which is supposed to be an office but is essentially a figure room.

Dust hasn’t really been a big deal, they don’t seem to get that dusty but I take them all down every 6 months or so and have a dust and re-organise figures I’ve purchased into the line up.

I’d post pictures if I knew how but I don’t. Anyway, I say go for it 👍🏻

[jt]

Mar 7, 2024 12:22:17 GMT -5 Biff Slamkovich™ said:

I'm literally doing this right now.

I'm unboxing a 732 elite figure collection (about 300 had been unboxed prior but were put back into their packages and placed in storage) and this whole process has been a nightmare.

Opening things up, organizing/labelling the spare hands/accessories, breaking down the packaging, posing the figure, then moving onto the next one. I'm now debating mid-open if I really want to toss packaging for certain figures or not like "will I regret this?" kinda thing.

What I did just because I like the boxes is toss the plastic prisons and fold the boxes. I didn't break down all of them, exclusives, really important or rare figures packages are still in tact but like the baseline elites and legends have been folded

[The Madness]

You’ll be amazed at the space you save.

[nomorexclusives]

I did this with half of my spawn collection years back. Saved me 3 giant tubs. I would only keep the limited/special editions moc. The rest depends on availabity on the secondary market. Check out ebay prices of all of your figures first. You may find out some of them are quite rare now and/or popular sellers. For the most part mattel figures dont sell for as much as other lines so i wouldnt worry about it that much. There isnt much that cant still be replaced moc if necessary for a decent price. The space you save is worth more and being able to touch your collection connects you more to the figures (attention: once loose out of the package it will be much harder to sell them). Easier to attach to something you can physically feel. These are made to be opened.

[arossi417]

Always been a loose collector, if dust ends up getting really bad I'll usually use the electric air duster I use for my PC to get most of it off. I don't really like canned air in general, and a good duster at Micro Center was maybe $50 a few years ago.

For storing parts, I grab small plastic bags at Michaels or any arts & crafts store (they're usually with the jewelry section) and just use small address labels to label everything.

[TheHitmanKid]

Loose collecting feels so good! Touching and smelling the plastic. Then being able to pose the figure next to whichever other ones you want. I love having certain rivals facing each other or posing with ther iconic look.

[Apocalypse]

Mar 7, 2024 12:22:17 GMT -5 Biff Slamkovich™ said:

I'm literally doing this right now.

I'm unboxing a 732 elite figure collection (about 300 had been unboxed prior but were put back into their packages and placed in storage) and this whole process has been a nightmare.

Opening things up, organizing/labelling the spare hands/accessories, breaking down the packaging, posing the figure, then moving onto the next one. I'm now debating mid-open if I really want to toss packaging for certain figures or not like "will I regret this?" kinda thing.

I would hate to be your recycling guy on recycling day lol . Jk

That must be a huge labor

[Mongo Bears]

Do it.
You won’t do it.
You won’t do it.
See?!

[nomorexclusives]

Mar 7, 2024 10:49:35 GMT -5 erickfate said:

So I have really been thinking about opening everything up. The idea of the space saved plus grouping of like figures together almost has me sold. One of my concerns is dust. How often and what products do you use for dust? Does a can of air work well? Has anybody opened up everything and regretted it? Has anybody opened up everything and loved it? Any input is welcome.

How many have you opened?

[mrbiggs]

With Mattel re-releasing a lot of the harder to find, expensive figures (like that Defining Moments Undertaker in this new Vault series), I feel a lot more are going to follow suit. So, if your collection is viewed as an investment, and that's the reason you keep them moc or mib, then that might no longer be valid.

[thep1]

You do you, but to me personally, this gives me a panic attack to even fathom!! 😂😂😂😂😂
Godspeed, Friend!

[Papi Joker]

do it and soon watch the ladies flock you.

[kgchampion]

Think about it this way: If you get hit by a bus, those MOC figures can be put on eBay for me to buy. If they’re not MOC I won’t be interested. Quit being selfish and think about what I want. In case you get hit by a bus.

For the record, I’m joking. Please look both ways before crossing the street.

[nomorexclusives]

Mar 10, 2024 19:46:14 GMT -5 mrbiggs said:

With Mattel re-releasing a lot of the harder to find, expensive figures (like that Defining Moments Undertaker in this new Vault series), I feel a lot more are going to follow suit. So, if your collection is viewed as an investment, and that's the reason you keep them moc or mib, then that might no longer be valid.

Kyle peterson mentioned the same thing recently. I think its great they are re-releasing older figures. It gives newer collectors a chance to catch up. Plus mattel produces a lot more of these than jakks did so even less reason to keep them in boxes

[Midnight: Dark Knight]

I have very few carded figures mixed in with over 1000+ loose and ive never dusted the collection nor have i ever noticed anything more than the usual small specs on the actual shelf vs the figures. If anything the carded stuff has collected more dust if that makes any sense. I think it comes down to where/how you display them and temperature/moisture/climate conditions.

Mine have always been in my semi finished basement on shelves and we run dehumidifier’s/heat as needed

[RybackV1]

Saving these figures at the moment isn’t valuable. Unless you plan on living another 10+ years (I’m gonna be gone in the next 2) just open them. I was lucky to sell my SDCC Shockmaster for $150 but had to sell it for medical expenses, otherwise everything ive kept is just valueless. I want to sell off my loose collection but it’ll cost me more between retail and shipping. I always looked at buying these figures as a future investment , but after covid these figures have plummeted secondary value.

Just open them and enjoy them while you have time. Any day can be our last.

[stc13]

Mar 10, 2024 20:54:51 GMT -5 Midnight: Dark Knight said:

I have very few carded figures mixed in with over 1000+ loose and ive never dusted the collection nor have i ever noticed anything more than the usual small specs on the actual shelf vs the figures. If anything the carded stuff has collected more dust if that makes any sense. I think it comes down to where/how you display them and temperature/moisture/climate conditions.

Mine have always been in my semi finished basement on shelves and we run dehumidifier’s/heat as needed

Same here.  My figures are primarily on Billy book cases, some of which have glass doors and others are totally open.  I haven't had to dust either in years and everything looks great.

My collection is also in my semi-finished basement, which isn't a super high traffic area.  I definitely notice more dust buildup on collectibles in the common living spaces.