[Closed] The Diecast Pest

Zack, I'm the "lucky one" with the 1/18 Sunstar red Falcon convertible that is suffering...

..from diecast cancer. I do own, however, the light blue hardtop and it's fine. No sign at all of rot.

You'll note, if your keenly aware, that certain colors of certain models seem to be effected. Of course not always the case but more the norm than not. This suggests that only particular batches or "recipes" of material, for what ever reason, are faulty or contaminated.

I do not "swear off" certain models because of this problem but I try to make educated decisions. Of the 1,000 plus pieces in my collection I've had only 4 suffer from diecast cancer:

1) 1/16 Danbury Mint 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air (beige/white)
2) 1/18 Signature 1948 Chrysler convertible (blue)
3) 1/18 Sunstar 1963 Ford Falcon convertible (red)
4) 1/18 Anson 1957 Plymouth Fury (off white) ...and I bought it used this way. I bought one new and it's fine.

Hope this helps,
-Chris

As far as your list, I can add one...

...and that is the original issue, un-numbered, CMC Mercedes W196 Monoposto. I bought one on DZ auctions here and it slowly, then rapidly, descend into rubble. Out of over 700 models I have or had as part of my collection, it is the only one to suffer that fate (knock on wood...or zamac..)

Researching online I found out I was not alone...but as you state Chris, it was also inconsistent. I'd like to think the person that sold it to me didn't know. The re-issue from CMC a few years ago seems to be fine (and is a much better executed model to boot - epecially the wire wheels).

It remains the one silver arrow missing from my collection because I'm a little gun shy. I own at least one example of all the others including three CMC streamliners which are among my very favorite models. So one day....

Not on the list, out of the 500+- I have only had 2 turn to white powder and 3 others with paint issues.
The 60 Ford Galaxie Starliner in lite GREEN crumbled replaced with all silver [red int] which is fine.
Had the '62 Grand Prix in black paint totally pealed off the plastic top, now a 1of0 black Grand Prix convertible.

Excellent, but sad, info. Thanks Gary. Several more than I ever thought possible. Still pisses me...

....off though. Of the BILLIONS of Hotwheels & Matchbox cars produced (and of the hundreds I've owned) I don't EVER recall seeing this "diecast cancer" issue.

Not doubt SOMEBODY, SOMEWHERE was aware of this issue but put profits first (knowing this "disease" would surface years down the road) and decided to proceed anyway.

Still pisses me off!

WOW ... And I thought only other scales suffered from cancer

Problem Car mfgs,

Would be nice if by contacting the manufacturer they offer a rebate or a special discount for future buys. Maybe we should boycott the manufacturer with a email write in by all collectors on this site.

We first experienced DC cancer on the Black '69 COPO and White ZL1 Camaro's that we had Ertl make for us back in 1997 (?) so boy does this post bring back memories. The "crumbling" started a few years after those cars were released, and after us asking Ertl to contact the factory, we were told the factory would not do anything. No re-run, no discount, no refund. This in part was due to the fact Ertl did not use that exact factory anymore. So Ertl said "no recourse" to us after us likely spending $100,000's of dollars with them at the time. Yet we then offered a full refund to our customers, if they returned the car/s to us for a credit towards another car/s. That offer did have an expiration date (long ago) but at least we here did "something" to help our collector customers. So an email to manufacturers may not help all that much, but one never knows until they try. Have a great day people.

Efforts appreciated Jim; thanks for trying and sharing your insight & back story.

I don't think it is 'planned'........

As with any manufactured product, things can happen in the manufacturing process. Impurities finding their way into the molten metal would be the most likely cause. Add to that solvents or other impurities that might get on the castings while they are being prepped and painted and you have good candidates for issues 'down the road'.

The models are not built in 'clean rooms' so contamination is going to happen from time to time.

...Ever see a Hotwheels or Matchbox suffer from this?

Matchbox when they were part of Lesney and made in England never ...

had this problem but then Lesney had their own plant making zinc-alloy.

There is no need for impurities to enter the molten stage of zinc-alloys.

Chris

Dennis this isn’t about scale it is about the zinc-alloy manufacturing process and manufacturers using zinc-alloys in their production.

Chris

I would think scale has something to do with that.......

as well as a different casting process but perhaps you are right, perhaps they are doing it on purpose.