I just got the Bear Model Ultraman pinwheel set in the mail but the vinyl is slimey to touch. Has anybody had any experience with this? The toys are painted so I'm not sure if it's safe to wash them in warm soapy water..

Soapy water is definitely okay. It is hard to say without seeing or touching the toys, but it could be pasticizer coming out that gives it that oily feel, or maybe the paint, but that usually leads to tackiness, but in either case what's done is done, and washing the toys won't harm them and can only remove the residue. The paint is either going to come off or not, in my experience, washing or no. Might as well have a clean figure you can touch.

It's the oils leeching from the vinyl, there are a few different suppliers of the raw vinyl and some are much more greasy to the touch, even requiring a wash or rub down with thinner before paint is applied so it will stick. Or, someone was doing a lot of smoking in the same room as the toys if the figure wasn't still in the bag when you got it.

But yes, warm soapy water and something soft to wipe with is the best way to clean. I do it with 40 years old toys and have never had a problem.

Thanks guys! Guess I'll haveto play with these guys next time I'm in the bathtub... Or just use the kitchen sink. Probably the more mature option

^^^^
... in the bath!

I have cleaned up my extremely sticky, oily, Bear Models with Greased Lightening. Its a degreaser. Used carefully it works extremely well. I do a small area at a time, and do not soak them. I do not rub too roughly on the painted areas.

Don't know if it's the same as some oily vintage figured but a drop of dawn in warm water usually does the trick

weird, i've heard other people mention this . . . personally i've never come across it and i have quite a lot of Bear Model stuff.

good luck with the soap and water!

Thanks guys! I tried warm water and soap and they have improved a bit.. Will let you know if it comes back in the future.

I've only ever seen it with some PVC or vinyl (not sure) Treeson and Friends toys that I had in a shoe box with Bearbricks. One of the characters were covered in this slimey stuff.. Luckily the Bearbricks were still in plastic bags in that box. It must be different plastics reacting to each other?

Some plastics will have really bad reactions if put together. The worst ive seen are the old Major Matt Mason toys, the figures would actually melt to the accessories you get for them! But you would have to leave them together for a pretty long time. Also, some keshigum toys in styrofoam will melt too.