Why is Mattel giving us black plastic and painting over it?

[AdultCollector]

I've heard from several people that they discovered Vykron and Spikor were made with black plastic that was then painted over, rather than with plastic of the appropriate color. Can this be confirmed, and if true, can we be provided with an explanation as to why this change has occurred in Mattel's production methods when making MOTUC figures? I thought that by increasing the price of the figures, we'd be increasing the quality of the figures, not decreasing it.

[NorthCoast]

I've heard from several people that they discovered Vykron and Spikor were made with black plastic that was then painted over, rather than with plastic of the appropriate color. Can this be confirmed, and if true, can we be provided with an explanation as to why this change has occurred in Mattel's production methods when making MOTUC figures? I thought that by increasing the price of the figures, we'd be increasing the quality of the figures, not decreasing it.

I can only guess it might be a tooling issue with these particular figures, as in they have to share a tool with another piece that is not the color of the skin. I noticed that Vykron's arms are painted.

[chuc98]

Hmmm…Spikor being so dark, a dark base color makes sense. But Vykron…I haven't had any issues with my figure but it is certainly curious that they decided to use a dark plastic as the base for him as well.

[mjharwood]

I thought that by increasing the price of the figures, we'd be increasing the quality of the figures, not decreasing it.

The price increase doesn't come until next year, and therefore if there are any benefits to be gained, they wouldn't appear until next year's figures. Since costs have increased without prices increasing before now, maybe this is one of the ways they need to makeup the difference this year...

[TUC138]

I can only guess it might be a tooling issue with these particular figures, as in they have to share a tool with another piece that is not the color of the skin. I noticed that Vykron's arms are painted.

You mean gloved hands ? Biceps (like Fisto) Or bracer wrists ?

[NorthCoast]

I thought that by increasing the price of the figures, we'd be increasing the quality of the figures, not decreasing it.

We know the price is not going up to increase quality. It's going up because the cost of labor and materials has gone up considerably. With the increased costs, I wouldn't be surprised to see higher prices and lower quality. Oil is up, Chinese labor is up, dollar is down.

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You mean gloved hands ? Biceps (like Fisto) Or bracer wrists ?

Shoulders and biceps are painted if I'm not mistaken.

[shadowfall1976]

I have a MOSC collection, but I had noticed upon close inspection a couple days ago, something seemed off on him, but I thought it was me. Looked as if parts of him had a painted feel to them, but I thought maybe it was the texture of the plastic, I mean it's done really well if he is all painted, usually I can pick up on that, even in the package.

Looks like his biceps and his abs

[TUC138]

We know the price is not going up to increase quality. It's going up because the cost of labor and materials has gone up considerably. With the increased costs, I wouldn't be surprised to see higher prices and lower quality. Oil is up, Chinese labor is up, dollar is down.

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Shoulders and biceps are painted if I'm not mistaken.

I can understand about biceps, but Black Shoulders with painted skin tone ??? Are you sure ????

THAT is..... SICK !!!

[NorthCoast]

I can understand about biceps, but Black Shoulders with painted skin tone ??? Are you sure ????

THAT is..... SICK !!!

Pretty sure. I'd guess the shoulders, biceps and the hair/helmet piece share a tool. Maybe the 2 guns are on it as well.

Thighs and the ball-joints between the thigh and the waist look painted too, not positive on that.

[bigsexy_j]

I have noticed that my Vykons arms look darker then the torso. Black plastic painted with skin tone could be the reason.

J

[wundarwarrior]

Both my Spikor and Vykron figures had a stiff right shoulder. Them all being black plastic seems a little convenient to me.

[Mern-Ra]

Both my Spikor and Vykron figures had a stiff right shoulder. Them all being black plastic seems a little convenient to me.

Both of mine did too, but I'm not sure what you mean by them being black plastic being too convenient.

[FAKER II]

I too noticed that Spikor's arms and legs were painted. But, he has all tight joints including ankles so I was happy just for another figure who can actually stand.

I won't receive Vykron for a little while. I ordered him late after other people already received him and confirmed that he had tight ankles. With Vykron I don't care. I bought him solely for the boots and gloves to slap onto Prince Adam for a slight 200X touch (my Adam has super duper loose ankles) and for the head to use as a custom He-Man head.

[BCreviews4628]

I wouldn't be surprised to see higher prices and lower quality. Oil is up, Chinese labor is up, dollar is down.

But remember to subscribe guys!!!!

[NorthCoast]

But remember to subscribe guys!!!!

Ha! I know your mocking me, but these things are out of everyone's control. I think most of us here will take any MOTUC we can get.

And you guys say TG is snarky...

Oh, and like our friendly buddy BC says, BUY A SUB!

[BCreviews4628]

Big Country says buy a sub to huh?

That's snarky!!!

[Stygian360]

That's snarky!!!

Pot, meet kettle!!

[BCreviews4628]

I was talking about myself. Come on try to keep up!

[Firesoullove]

The full legs are also painted. Including the joints under his loin cloth!!
Mine has some scratches on it, so I could see that the legs are also painted to. Don't understand that...
(sorry for my english)

[NorthCoast]

The full legs are also painted. Including the joints under his loin cloth!!
Mine has some scratches on it, so I could see that the legs are also painted to. Don't understand that...
(sorry for my english)

Ok, glad you could tell, I thought so but wasn't sure. I'm sure with Vykron it was about tooling since there is so many pieces in the set.

[wundarwarrior]

Both of mine did too, but I'm not sure what you mean by them being black plastic being too convenient.

I mean it is the convenient and probable cause of the problem. Meaning they could've been produced in the same run since they were both july releases. So maybe the plastic was the issue. The buck should be the standard one.

[nightcraw]

Maybe they just have too much left over from starman and batman

[Brian Ozone]

On one of my three Vykrons his elbow joints do have black in them.

[shadowfall1976]

I guess they loved the black plastic so much after making Horde Prime, they decided to stick to it.

[JonWes]

I have some black showing on the elbow joint of my Vykron too.

What a weird, weird, weird decision. Maybe they did just produce the arms and legs in one big batch and use both for Vykron and Spikor? I guess that might save money... somehow? I don't know. I just hope they don't do that more.