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How to Collect and Care for Die Cast Cars

Many people enjoy collecting die cast cars. There are actually books and magazines dedicated to this complete pastime. You can find die cast cars that are designed to look like popular NASCAR race cars or designs modeled after classic limited edition vehicles. You can even find die cast vehicles that are designed after army vehicles and rock stars vehicles. The choices really are endless. Take a quick search online and you will find that die cast cars come in limitless designs, shapes and colors. You can even buy these collectibles built completely to scale, so you know exactly what the original looks like.

The first part of enjoying this hobby is knowing where to find die cast cars. Consider the following places you might find the perfect car for your collection.

Things You'll Need

Storage boxes
Storage place

Instructions

- 1
  Look for websites online that specialize in die cast cars and trucks. Some of these places will have everything from new models to vintage models that are hard to find.
- 2
  Subscribe to magazines about the type of vehicle you are interested in. Many collectors place ads in the back of the publication.
- 3
  Find local stores in your area that carry these products. Many comic book or collector card stores also carry die cast collectibles.
- 4
  Search flea markets in your area. Some collectors showcase their collection for sale this way.
- 5
  Be concerned with properly taking care of your die cast cars. The smallest scratch, ding, or damage can greatly decrease the value of the piece. A five hundred dollar piece can drop down to ten dollars if it is damaged.
- 6
  Leave the car in the original packaging. Many collectors will pay more if the original packaging and advertising is available. This part can actually be half of the value of the piece.
- 7
  Place the entire package in a clear box to keep the packaging from getting damaged. Dust and dirt on the package will also decrease value, so keeping the vehicle in an air tight case is almost imperative. You can find these boxes made from a number of products. You can consider plastic, but you will want to make sure the box doesn't condense or sweat on the inside which could damage the packaging and the vehicle. Look for boxes designed specifically for die cast cars.
- 8
  Consider the place where you store your vehicles. Keep them out of direct sunlight. Even if the vehicle is in a box, the paint can begin to fade when exposed to long term sunlight. You also need to consider the temperature and humidity in the room where you keep your vehicles. As mentioned before, the box or even the packaging could begin to sweat if it is too hot or humid. You should also consider particles in the air. For example, don't keep your vehicles in a place where they might be exposed to smoke such as a kitchen. The smoke can get into the box and cause discoloration.
- 9
  Many people pass these vehicles on as family heirlooms. If you plan on passing your die cast cars on to your children, make sure you take care of them. You never know it just might be a way to pay for college in the future.

Collecting Memorabilia