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    #1

    Polypropylene and Muslin - need advice

    I am quite new to collecting 3rd Reich items. IMO this is one the most important parts of the forum as essentially collectors are preserving items for posterity. From what I have gathered reading this section it seems that polypropylene plastic and muslin are suitable storage materials as they don't damage the items stored in them. Can anybody put my mind to rest that I'm storing my items safely or point it out if I'm doing something wrong.

    The items are wrapped in muslin squares (the ones used as a counter measure to baby belching) - baby grade! Then the wrapped item is placed in polypropylene boxes - they have a double P on the bottom (PP) but are not crystal clear. I plan to place a small silica in the box. How do you tell that the silica is still effective? Is it possible that it can out-gas and release harmful vapors?

    Thank you.



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    #2
    Photos

    It seems I did something wrong when I attached the photos URL.

    http://imageshack.us/g/684/dscf8693.jpg/

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      #3
      "milkly" poly makes me a little nervous but one simple test is to smell the inside of the box after it's been closed a while. If it has a funky or chemical smell then ditch it. You can also put an empty box in direct sunlight, let it warm up for a day then smell and feel the inside. Heat and sunlight can cause some plastics to off gas quicker and give you an idea of how good or bad it might be long term. One very cheap solution are food grade plastic "zip lock" type bags. As long as they are food grade any off gassing is minimal and actually as good as most archival bags, just cheaper. The silica shouldn't off gas but make sure the muslin is a barrier between the object and the packet. Remember not to store anything organic in a sealed bag or box with silica or it will dry it out (unless you live in a tropical kind of humid environment).

      One other minor thing if you want to be extra careful: wash the muslin first and make sure it's fully dry to eliminate any sort of contamination that may have happened during manufacturing or shipping. You can also get by with a good quality washed cotton.

      Comment

        #4
        Thank you for the info, very helpful. I had no idea there were different grades of polypropylene. I left one box outside this morning all day and it didn't give off any smell but I am not taking any chances. Its SB Weston if anybody got any info on it being inert or not.

        The idea of the zip lock bags is good. Are these the same as PE-LD (4) zip locks? Does anybody use muslin wrapped items in comic bags? I have Pro-Select but have considered using them this way only until Blinky pointed out the feasibility of storage in bags.

        http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/715/dscf8708.jpg/

        Do the concerns on polypropylene quality extend to album sleeves for photos and postcards? I am currently using the Multi-Master types but also have Pro-Select and Ultra-Pro (used for CCG's). They are all clear but not in the same way. Some are slightly opaque but this may be due to the thickness of the material.

        I am shooting questions like a 3 year old but I am starting to suspect that the hunt for archival materials for storage, is filled with pitfalls. Its caveat emptor all the way. What fun.

        Thank you.

        Comment

          #5
          Check out this site:

          http://www.gaylord.com/adblock.asp?abid=2573

          This link will take you to the bags but with a little digging you can find a ton of products. I have heard of ultra-pro bags for comics and they are very good. Most of the products you find in this catalog you can find other places as well, even on ebay, for a bit less.
          If the plastic feels "rubbery" or smells, avoid it like the plague.

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            #6
            Thank you

            Thanks for your replies. Excellent site.

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