KEY TAKEAWAYS
▸ Prep your figures for collectible storage. Clean and disassemble action figures, and remove any batteries and removable parts. Be sure to wrap any delicate parts individually and store them with the rest of the figure to which they belong.
▸ Display your figurines in protective display cases with UV and heat protection, away from direct sunlight. These cases will showcase your action figures while keeping them safe from fading, warping, and dust.
▸ Choose a climate-controlled self-storage unit for long-term collectible storage safekeeping. An air-conditioned unit will preserve your priceless collection for many years to come.
▸ Consider insurance as you think about how to display action figures. If your collection is valuable, an appraisal and insurance will give you extra assurance, especially if you wish to display expensive or priceless action figures.
From Display to Storage: How to Store and Organize Action Figures
Your action figure collection is a carefully curated labor of love, nostalgia and meaningful pop-culture memories. Collectors take great pride in displaying their prized figures, from their favorite superheroes, niche fan favorites and coveted, priceless rarities that are the crowning jewels in their collection.
When you put this much time, research, fandom and money into building the perfect collection, it’s paramount you know not just how to display action figures, but how to keep them in pristine condition to ensure they retain their value and continue to bring you joy for years and even decades to come.
In this guide, we’ll explore a variety of action figure storage ideas. We’ll delve into everything you need to know about how to display action figures and action figure storage ideas designed to keep your beloved figures well-organized and in their best condition, whether they’re on display or packed away.
How to Display Action Figures Now and Store Them Away for Later
As you consider how to store action figures, dolls, and other collectibles, remember that proper preparation is crucial to ensuring your collection remains well-maintained. Suppose you have irreplaceable figures or valuable toys in mint condition. In that case, you’ll want to give these items extra attention as you prepare them for protective display or collectible storage, and employ careful collectible storage techniques to ensure they remain pristine and retain their value over time.
Let’s walk through some action figure storage ideas that will help you safeguard your investment.
Step 1: Disassemble each action figure.
Many action figures feature accessories such as weapons, capes, or detachable limbs. Carefully remove these pieces and parts to prepare your figures for cleaning before storing. Inspect each figure as you go, and make note of any damaged pieces or figures in need of deep cleaning or repair.
Keep all accessories with their corresponding figures to avoid misplacing pieces or parts you will need later. Pieces in good condition that do not need cleaning, or especially delicate parts and pieces, can be wrapped in acid-free tissue to keep them safe as you work.
Step 2: Remove batteries
If you own figures or accessories that contain electronic components or light up, they almost certainly contain batteries that should be removed before storage. Batteries frequently leak or corrode over time, and can cause irreparable damage to an action figure or toy if they should leak inside its battery compartment.
It is a smart practice to always store your action figures with the batteries removed whenever its electronic features are not on frequent display. Old and underused batteries are most prone to leaking. Store the batteries in a cool, dry place away from heat and humidity, and replace them when you notice your action figure’s electronic features slowing, dimming or failing to start right away. If you come across a leaking or damaged battery, use gloves to remove it to protect your skin from corrosives.
Step 3: Clean each action figure carefully.
Before storing your collectibles, gently wipe down each piece with a microfiber cloth, and use a cotton swab for harder-to-reach areas or more delicate pieces. Skip abrasive materials, harsh chemicals or hard-bristled brushes that may mar finishes or strip paint.
If the action figure is made of water-safe materials, dab hard-to-remove stains with a damp cloth or mild water and dish soap dilution. Avoid vigorous scrubbing that may ruin finishes or materials. Let your figures dry in a well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight, and be sure your figures are completely dry before moving on.
If you come across an action figure whose batteries have leaked inside the battery compartment, wear gloves and eye protection before removing the corroded batteries. You can then gently clean the compartment with a Q-tip dipped in a weak acid-neutralizing solution like white vinegar.
Step 4: Use original packaging whenever possible.
Whenever possible, store your action figures in their original packaging. These boxes and plastic clamshells are typically designed to provide a protective, custom fit that will keep your action figures snug and safe from dust, debris, fading and damage.
There’s an even more compelling reason to hold on to that original package: Action figures accompanied by their original packaging are highly prized among collectors, and packaging in good or unopened condition can add significant additional value to your collectibles.
Step 5: Use protective alternatives if you don’t have the box
No box? No problem. Wrap individual figures in acid-free tissue or bubble wrap, and place them in archival bags, airtight labeled storage bins or protective display cases that offer UV light protection.
Organize action figures by size, category, series, and so on, to ensure you can easily find specific figures when you need them. Pack accessories, instruction booklets and stands with their corresponding figures to avoid confusion when you reassemble them in the future.
Pack Away Your Display: Best Practices for Effective Collectible Storage
You collect action figures to enjoy them, and there is no better way to enjoy your precious collection than displaying it in full view. Protection is paramount when your action figures are out in the open, and you’ll want to ensure your toys and figures are safe from dust, fading and humidity as you proudly exhibit them. Here are a few ideas for how to display action figures while keeping them preserved and protected.
- Acrylic display cases offer a lightweight, shatter-resistant alternative to glass, and some display cases are designed to protect your collectibles from UV rays that can cause discoloration and fading, and can compromise the integrity of materials. Angled risers and custom foam inserts can be placed inside display cases to highlight special pieces and help action figures stay upright. Place your display cases away from direct sunlight and air vents.
- Original packaging is designed to protect action figures from dust, light damage and crushing, and can be used as the perfect frame or stand to display your collectibles. Original boxes are also highly coveted by collectors, and well-kept or unopened packaging can increase the value of your action figures.
- Wall-mounted shadow boxes or shelving units are perfect for showcasing boxed action figures. These can be purchased ready-made, and they also make great DIY projects if you’re handy or want to create a unique, custom display setting to house your equally unique collection.
- Display lighting deserves a mention here. Choose LED lights or light strips if you wish to use lights to highlight your action figures and encasements. LED lights do not get warm, and don’t emit UV rays that could damage your figures.
While your collectibles are out and on display, keep them clean, free of dust and away from high-traffic zones where they might be toppled or crushed. Keep your display room at a stable room temperature with good ventilation and moderate humidity. Damp areas and areas that experience significant temperature swings, which could cause your collectibles to warp or crack, should be avoided.
Finally, rotate your collection periodically to limit exposure and give every piece its moment to shine. This will also ensure you enjoy the breadth of your collection year-round, even if you have more figures than you can reasonably display at one time.
Collectible Storage How-Tos: Prep and Organize Action Figures for Safe Storage
If you need to pack away your action figure collection for out-of-sight long term storage, these toy organization tips and action figure storage ideas can help you properly prepare and store your collection.
- Under-bed or stackable clear storage bins will always be big storage winners for most applications, due to their affordability, options and storage flexibility. Carefully wrap your figures and pack them in airtight, labeled bins. These bins are easily portable as well, and offer good protection from physical damage and accidents when traveling with or transporting your collection.
- A multi-pocket clear hanging shoe organizer is an inventive way to organize unboxed action figures while keeping each collectible visible and in easy reach when you want them. Food storage plastic bags can damage some types of plastic materials over time and should be avoided.
- Acid-free archival bags are durable, popular storage choices among seasoned collectors. These bags protect your figures from dust, moisture and breakdown of materials from exposure. Choose bags that have holes for good ventilation, or punch a few holes in them to allow air flow.
- Self storage units are ideal for managing exceptionally large or valuable collections. Storage units come in a variety of sizes and options, and offer safe and affordable off-site collectible storage that keeps your home clutter-free. Choose a climate-controlled storage unit to ensure your collectibles remain in pristine condition while packed away.
Organize action figures by relevant categories for your collection, such as model, type, series, year, etc. Now is also a good time to create an inventory of everything you own. Use a spreadsheet or an app to log and track items in your collection, to ensure you always know what you have, and where you can find it. This will also help you map your collectible storage arrangements.
Store your bins in an area that has low humidity, good air flow and stable, moderate temperatures. Damp basements and hot attics are prone to environmental and temperature changes that could warp or degrade your collectibles and action figures, and are best avoided.
Preserve Your Action Figures: Collectible Storage That Protects Your Investment
If you’re like most collectors, your action figures are essentially the physical representations of a moment in popular culture that holds deep personal significance to you, and has brought you great joy. These deeply meaningful totems deserve the respect proper display and storage will afford them, and with the right care, protection and collectible storage your action figures will be well kept in great condition, to be enjoyed for years to come.
Our helpful action figure storage ideas and handy tips for how to display action figures are the keys to maintaining your collection and your memories for the long haul. If your collection has outgrown your display space or your home, use our storage finder tool that’s specially designed to help you find a short or long-term self storage facility perfect for preserving and safely storing your prized action figures, and your memories.
The best way to approach action figure collectible storage is to clean and disassemble each figure before packing it away. Remove any batteries and detachable parts, wrap any delicate items and organize action figures, sets and pieces together in labeled, airtight clear bins. If you are packing away your collection for the long term, choose a self storage unit with climate control to ensure your figures are protected from warping, mold or rot from fluctuations in temperature or moisture.
When possible, it’s ideal to keep your action figures in the box. The boxes offer custom-fitted protection to cushion collectibles from damage, dust and fading. There is also value in that packaging, as an original box in good condition typically increases the overall value of an action figure. When thinking about how to display action figures, consider that collectors generally prioritize showing off any collectibles for which they have the original box, especially if the collectible is highly valued or if the box is unopened.
If you are storing your action figures on display, use enclosed display cases that offer UV protection, to keep away dust, fading and protect from physical damage should the box be accidentally toppled from its perch. If you are packing away your action figures for collectible storage, clean and disassemble each figure. Remove any batteries and detachable pieces, and wrap delicate pieces or figures separately in acid-free tissue or bubble wrap. Organize action figures by type, category or size, and pack them away in clear, airtight, labeled bins. Be sure to store sets and other related parts and pieces together, for effortless and stress-free reassembly when ready.
Use action figure stands to prop up wobbly figures or figures that can’t otherwise stand securely on their own. Customizable foam inserts or plastic display risers will help you position collectibles at optimal angles in display cases. Museum putty or adhesive pads will help anchor feet or bases to ensure they don’t fall over.
Moisture and humidity can cause mold, mildew, dry rot, warping and corrosion, depending on the materials from which your action figures are made and the packaging in which they are stored. Too much sunlight can cause packaging and paint to fade, discolor and crack. Dust may build up as a grimy layer that settles into joints and fine details, and can be very difficult to completely remove. Overly dry conditions can cause some plastics to crack.
Lori Wertz
