Interstellar Blue

Do the Interstellar Blue dolls start yellowing over time? Also, anyone know if a blue chest piece would stain a gray Smartie? 

Edited August 23, 2023 by NewDream
Added extra question

@NewDream  While there are slight differences in shade between batches of blue vinyl, blue is too new to know whether or not it has yellowing problems like Volks' white. It just wrapped up its two year run at the end of 2022, and grey began in 2023.  So far, older SMDs have held up without major colour changes, so I would think the same general rules apply: store them out of direct sunlight and other major sources of UV like fluorescent lighting, clean your hands first, etc. 

 

As for staining: If it's a blue chestpiece by Culture Japan, I wouldn't worry, as they are made from the same vinyl and designed to interact safely with one another. To my knowledge, Adyka busts should also be fine, and as far as I know, 3D printed busts don't stain, although you should always check for any rough patches left by supports, as those can scratch or puncture the vinyl.

Reply with quote below!

Edited August 23, 2023 by NewDream
Forgot to add in the quoted text!

7 hours ago, PolitelyNefarious said:

@NewDream  While there are slight differences in shade between batches of blue vinyl, blue is too new to know whether or not it has yellowing problems like Volks' white. It just wrapped up its two year run at the end of 2022, and grey began in 2023.  So far, older SMDs have held up without major colour changes, so I would think the same general rules apply: store them out of direct sunlight and other major sources of UV like fluorescent lighting, clean your hands first, etc. 

 

As for staining: If it's a blue chestpiece by Culture Japan, I wouldn't worry, as they are made from the same vinyl and designed to interact safely with one another. To my knowledge, Adyka busts should also be fine, and as far as I know, 3D printed busts don't stain, although you should always check for any rough patches left by supports, as those can scratch or puncture the vinyl.

I went to a Smart Doll meetup last week and heard that some owners of Interstellar Blue Smarties were experiencing yellowing already. It was speculated that is why blue production was discontinued. 

 

I own a Galactic Gray Anomaly and wanted her to have a blue piece since the original Anomaly was blue. The yellowing concerned me so I definitely wanted to hear from more owners.

 

I appreciate your reply! I feel better knowing that at least the blue will not stain the gray. 

@NewDream  Because my own blue girl-guy was assembled from one doll body and multiple Chaos parts, I cannot speak to this experience as well as those with shop-fresh dolls. Admittedly I have wondered from time to time if there is coloration aging, but the fact is the parts from later batches are more vibrant while the older ones seem less so, and it's the slightest difference in shade. The kind that can only be seen up close, if you're looking hard for it. No greening or stark fading yet. That could be premature aging, or it could be a minor amount of dye used.

 

However I don't want to discount the experiences of other blue owners, especially folks who have had theirs longer. It makes me sad to think that this gorgeous colour might shift sooner than anticipated, but if it can happen to Volks, it can happen to Culture Japan. Yellowing isn't necessarily a bad thing though- unless it's extremely uneven, it usually means a darkening / shift in shade for the whole doll, and it's a natural process that happens to all plastics over time. It's just unusual for it to be happening this soon.

 

Alternatively, you could always seal and paint or blush some blue on your Anomaly's bust, or commission an artist to do it, which might be cheaper than a new blue bust anyway, as blue seems to have taken a price hike since it was retired.