Guyz, just like to share what I found while surfing the net.
SOURCE: www.sideshowtoy.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?category=021105poly
When Sideshow considers a manufacturing medium for a new sculpture, it is hard to find one that delivers a cleaner, more substantial representation of an original sculpture than a product manufactured in Polystone. Polystone has a significant weight, a porcelain like feel to the touch, and an incredible ability to capture the most minute detail, making it unsurpassed in collectible manufacturing materials.
Sideshow Collectibles has chosen this medium time and again to bring collectible fans first class statues, busts, prop replicas, and environments from film properties such as The Lord of the Rings, Van Helsing, and Hellboy, and as a production element in its mixed-media collectible items.
Polystone is a compound made up largely of polyurethane resin mixed with powdered stone additives that give it added weight and the porcelain or "stone-like" feel that resulted in the materials name itself. Polystone is durable and highly effective at maintaining a sharp paint finish. Unlike porcelain which is fired in an oven, Polystone is a cold-cast material in which no heat is used in the manufacturing process, resulting in much greater variations of paint finish.
For these reasons Sideshow has chosen Polystone as the manufacturing medium of choice. Our desire to use the material in ever more creative ways is part of the mission at Sideshow, as we push the boundaries of manufacturing with this modern art material. We look forward to your next Polystone product purchase so we can share with you the quality and long lasting enjoyment that Polystone consistently delivers.
One of the most frequently asked questions we receive at Sideshow are from collectors inquiring about the upkeep of their Polystone statues. Our product team has compiled a few tips to help you ensure your Polystone collectibles keep their luster for many years.
One of the main issues for collectors that display their Polystone pieces is dust. Dust attracts oils and other contaminants from the air that will eventually cause discoloring if left unchecked.
How do you remove dust without wrecking your piece?You should take the time to dust your statues on a regular basis. We suggest a camera lens brush to whisk dust from the delicate areas, as well as from the nooks and details of a statue. A very soft, medium sized paint brush can also be used if you find yourself short one camera lens brush. Follow up the dusting with a blast of compressed air which can be purchased from office supply store. It is very important to hold the can upright and not shake it while spraying, as this will cause liquid to spray out which may possibly mar your collectible.
Can I wash them or use a wet cloth? You should never wash or submerge your collectible in water. If for some reason you find your pieces are excessively dusty, the tips above should work well. You can also use a damp, lint-free cloth on larger areas as wellas the bases to loosen up the dust. Dampen the cloth with water but
never use any harsh chemical cleaners as they have the potential to damage the paint finish and even the Polystone material.
We do suggest that pieces are displayed in environments that have an even consistent room temperature. As with any substance, extreme temperature changes and moisture can affect its intergrity and surface quality.
My Display is near a heater/air conditioner vent. Is this bad?If you display is near any temperature vents, we suggest that you reposition your display in another area so that the swift changes in temperature will not affect your collection.
My display is near my window. Will the sunlight affect the paint on my figures? Long term exposure to direct sunlight and UV rays will damage your collectible's paint and finish over time. All displays should not be in exposed areas or next to windows. Regular indoor lighting is acceptable and will not afect the paint quality of your items.
If these simple steps are followed, your polystone collectibles will last for generations to come.
We have actually been contacted by many collectors who have had this problem. The damages can range from completely destroyed, to lopped off limbs to just plain, small chips.
Our production team says that simple breaks and chips can be easily repaired by the collector at home. It will take a few supplies and a steady hand but it can be done. You will need some clear super glue (make sure it can repair plastics and ceramics), tooth picks, small soft brushes, tweezers, two part plumbers/epoxy putty, and acrylic paint.
Small chips or paint chip repairs.If you have a small chips or breaks make sure you save all the pieces. You can use the tooth picks to apply the super glue onto very tight places and your tweezers to place the small pieces back strategically. You can then use the paint to touch up any surface scuffs or missing paint from the break.
Repairing broken arms or legs.Again, if the break is a clean one it will be an easier task to complete. Make sure both surface are clean from dust by brushing them with your soft brush. The use a toothick to apply the super glue to both surfaces. Wait a few seconds and then realign the broken parts. You may have to support the appendage until the glue dries depending on the weight of the broken piece. If you find that the break was not clean and that now there is a slight gap in places between the two pieces, you can take a toothpick and work a bit of two part plumbers/epoxy putty into the crack making sure that you are smoothing it down with a dampened paint brush into the existing detail. This is important as you will not be able to sand the area once it is dry. Becareful that you use the bond only on the exact area of the crack as the bond will mar the good portions of the surface it is applied to. Allow the bondo to dry overnight and use your paints to retouch the small area and blend it into the existing paint color.
(The initital article
mentioned Matte Spray Finish, however we do not recommend this as some of these products may damage the finish. As with any spray product you should test an inconspicuous area prior to applying to larger areas.)Wobbly swords & leg pins.Some customers forget to inspect their item when they receive it and end up contacting us months later for a replacement, which usually is not possible so long after the product's release. But if the flaw is a slight bend in a sword, arrow, or figure leg, then it is possible for these to be easily repaired by the collector. The material can be gentley warmed with a hair dryer on medium heat, which will make it slightly malleable. In this state, the material is flexible enough to allow you to straighten out a smaller part, as well as to slightly reposition a leg so that it can slide onto a pin in its base.
We strongly suggest that all of our customers inspect their collectibles upon receipt. In most cases, our returns department can replace the item if it is returned to us within 30 days.
With a minimal maintenance and care your collectibles should last you a lifetime! We look forward to assisting you to
"COLLECT FOR LIFE!™"Thanks for viewing!
Jun 6, 2013 3:45:32 GMT 8
Jun 6, 2013 3:45:32 GMT 8
keeping the site active as a place to dump info for easier backtracking. 
May 30, 2015 3:32:15 GMT 8
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keeping the site active as a place to dump info for easier backtracking. 
May 30, 2015 3:32:15 GMT 8
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