Does it matter that I lost the plastic film that goes around a loco inside its clamshell packaging?

[flockandroll]

This is a nearly new Rapido Hunslet 16 inch. Is the loco paint likely to be damaged?

Especially if I have to post it back to Rapido? Don't know how I lost the film. It feels different (more filmy!) than for instance a plastic bag, so not sure if it is OK just to replace it with plastic from a bag (as you read about bubble wrap and some foams reacting with models over time)?

(This seems like a "first world problem" but there you go, I'm prone to being a bit of a worrier.)

Thanks

[Steamport Southport]

No. You'll be fine without it.

 

Use some good quality tissue paper.

 

Problem with many modern plastic bags is they are biodegradable. After time you'll probably get loads of little bits in the box.

 

 

Jason

Edited January 4 by Steamport Southport

[cypherman]

Hi,

As said above. Make sure the paper is acid free wrapping paper such as this. 

KAPCO 100 White Tissue Paper MG Acid Free Sheets (20 x 30 inches) for Arts & Craft, Decoupage, Packing, Moving, Removal, Packaging Material for Clothes, Shoes & Storing Fragile Items (500mm x 750mm) from Amazon

Edited January 4 by cypherman

[RichardT]

Be aware that if you’ve lost the plastic film you’ve reduced the value of the loco to a collector by 50% 😉

What’s that you say?  You tear off and throw away the tissue paper wrap around the box 🫣 <faints>

 

Happy New Year

 

Richard

[flockandroll]

12 hours ago, Steamport Southport said:

Use some good quality tissue paper

 

4 hours ago, cypherman said:

Make sure the paper is acid free wrapping paper such as this. 

KAPCO 100 White Tissue Paper MG Acid Free Sheets (20 x 30 inches) for Arts & Craft, Decoupage, Packing, Moving, Removal, Packaging Material for Clothes, Shoes & Storing Fragile Items (500mm x 750mm) from Amazon

Thanks!

That's good to hear: I already have some acid free tissue paper I bought to wrap up some old Hornby and Triang locos I was given. But never thought about using it to replace the film

What’s that you say? You tear off and throw away the tissue paper wrap around the box 🫣 <faints>

I have bought quite a few second hand wagons with the boxes still wrapped up

[RichardT]

Being serious for a moment, the acid-free tissue suggestion for wrapping is a really good one. You can also get archival-quality closed cell foam for padding e.g. https://www.preservationequipment.com/Catalogue/Conservation-Materials/Other-Materials/Archival-Polyethylene-Foam (other suppliers are available)

 

Richard

[DCB]

It is an oddity that models in unopened packaging are a lot more valuable than ones which have been opened.   In 60 years time the loss of the film may cost you many thousands of yuan  in value.  
Seriously though I find putting models back into their packaging causes more damage than storing them on shelves,  and leaving them on the layout (in a dark near windowless room)  is safer still.
The tissue paper vs film is interesting  but should I return a loco I would  put the loco in its box and that box in a much larger box filled with bubble wrap to give it a sporting chance of arriving safely.