This forum is for collectors of emergency vehicle models to discuss any aspect of the industry. Feel free to post comments on current releases, future models, items for sale/trade, or items wanted.
Re: Yikes! - "Emergency 51" Collectors watch out how you display the set!
I think the reason this occurs is because the tires are PVC or polyvinylchloride - hence the chloride, which is a acid. I think the reason the tires turn white is the chloride 'evaporating' out of the tires.
I have an Ertl Scraper that nearly melted it's way through the surface of a Lionel flat car once. I just place a piece of black paper under the wheels to prevent the melt-down
Re: Yikes! - "Emergency 51" Collectors watch out how you display the set!
Spliting tires was a big problem on some A. Smith models as well -- a few years ago I got a plastic bag of tires from Alan Smith to replace some of the tires that had split. If anyone has this problem with a Smith model, let me know -- I still have a bunch of the tires that I haven't used.
Re: Yikes! - "Emergency 51" Collectors watch out how you display the set!
Before we go blaming Code 3 and all the others. This is just a fact of life. This hase been going on for the past 35-50 years with models. Maybe even longer. Old Matchobx models will lose the o-ring style wheels because the center hub actually shrinks. Wheels will crack and split. The more modern ones will melt to other plastics/acylics. I have lost a couple older models to this. I made the mistake of using some of that rubbery shelf liner to prevent rolling. OOPS.
From now on, only glass shelves in a case with UV reducing glass.