Shrinkies and Oozies

Some documentation from Haynet (the big hobby email group) on shrinkies and oozies. I have one shrinky that I know of - my dapple grey 5 Gaiter - and no oozies. However, whenever someone posts that a particular model in their collection is shrinking or oozing and I have that piece, I go check mine out. From what is listed below, I have the PAF in rose grey, the Rocky, and some Adioses from the era, but after looking them over, none of them are shrinking or oozing. (And I admit  that I did the smell/lick test for the vinegar odor/taste.)

I did notice that my rose grey PAM and PAF are both bigger than their counterparts in other colors and am wondering what that means, if anything. But everyone else, except for the dapple grey 5 Gaiter, are as they should be.

Here is the thread from Haynet:

After over two years of dusting, cataloguing, and conga'ing I have
identified in my collection about 24 (out of 1700) shrinkies. Nearly all of
them are from 1988 (including the complete set of 4 Black Horse Ranch SR
Indian Ponies, and all three glossy alabaster Family Arabs from a vendor
reissue) and a couple from 1990 (including a RR Rugged Lark and a Sears SR
Dapple Grey Lady Phase). I hesitate to try to replace these as I wonder if
the whole darn batch might be bad. They are now in quarantine in my music
room (smells like a salad whenever I walk in there).
> 
> Thought? Comments? Sympathy?
> 
> Adrien Synnott
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Probably going to be a lot more out there from that era. We just received a Black Horse Ranch Indian pony that is also a shrinkie. Buyer did indicate the condition. We had some Adios molds from around those years bought on ebay - turned out some were shrinkies too. Luckily none have been "oozies".
>
> Bette McSparron
> 
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From what I remember, Reeves was using different plastic back then. I remember getting my BHR Indian Ponies and the (was it small world?) Hanoverians and they were different in feel and smell even new. The IP's were greasy feeling. Reeves recalled and replaced the Hanoverians which refused to stand. I sold all of them years ago. I remember some of the Sears/Penneys issues that had that same greasy feel and weird warping to them that I also got rid of.
I have a select few of the models back in my collection, like the alabaster and black hanoverians, but I do keep an eye on them. I have never had an oozie and frankly, don't want one. I am not sure of the chemical reaction taking place in the shrinkies, but in all honesty, I don't want to handle or have models that may be toxic (like the old PVC Barbies that are degrading). If the fumes are that strong, gosh only knows what you are subjecting yourself to on a daily basis.
Pretty ponies or not, something is not right with that plastic.
Lori Ogozalek


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My batch of BHR Indian ponies are "oosies" like crazy -but so far only the
leopard appy is a shrinkie. Adrien, do you have them quarantined because of
the smell, or do you think it might be "catching" ? ;-)

Beth Rappleyea


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Shrinkies and Oozies are both the result of cellulose degradation. The
first sign is the vinegar smell, which is from the acetic acid being
released. This eventually leads to shrinkage and, in more severe cases,
oozing. This has become a serious threat to film collections and is
certainly something that Breyer collectors need to be aware of.

I have noted shrinkage in Breyer models from different eras, but the vast
majority have been among those produced in the late 80's and early 90's.
Several, but not all, of my models produced in that timeframe have shrunk.
Two of my three BHR PAS's are noticeably shorter, as are my leopard appy
Fighting Stallion and dapple grey Five Gaiter. I also have a rose grey PAF
that developed a sticky feel to it. My most severe case is a buckskin
"Rocky" POA... an oozie.

Unfortunately there is no way to reverse the degradation process. The best
way to prevent, or at least slow the process, is to display models on
shelves in cool, dry conditions. Heat and moisture will trigger the
process, and enclosed conditions will accelerate it. That's what happened
to my POA... it was bagged and stored in a hot storage building. If you
MUST store your models, check them often and be aware of the vinegar smell.

I don't think it's contagious because other models which have stood next to
my shrinkies for years are fine.

Penny Lehew