Transformers Toy Problems - Gold Plastic and Metallic Plastic Syndrome

Thought I'd post this since GPS/MPS is still being found in later Transformer lines

Gold Plastic Syndrome (GPS) along with Metallic Plastic Syndrome (MPS) is a chemical reaction/defect that affects Transformer starting with G1, G2, and early BW eras. What happens with GPS/MPS is that the plastic starts to decompose and become very brittle to the point of shattering with little or no force applied.

In some cases there have been reports of spontaneous disintegration even if the toy has just been removed from its packaging. There are no warning signs as far as cracks or stress marks, the only sign that might indicate of GPS/MPS being present is "swirls" or "ripples" with in the metal flaked plastic( mostly noticeable on gold).

Some known Transformers to have GPS/MPS are:

Black Zarak(Headmaster, 1988) - Japan's version of Scorponok, parts to watch are feet, shield, and repaint of Fasttrack, good luck

Bristleback (Pretender Monster combiner, 1989) - On his own there's not too much to worry about since not much move on him, the problem comes after combining him into Monstructor and putting the fist in place which will be enough force to cause a large crack through his legs or even possibly splitting them entirely.

Roadblock (Ultra Pretenders, 1989) – The inner robot is all gold plastic except the legs, the most common thing to break are his hands.

Skyhammer (Ultra Pretender, 1989)- Noted for a huge case of GPS. The entire bottom of the large vehicle is made up of gold plastic which is very prone to breakage. Also be wary there is gold plastic on his inner shell and his robot mode.

Slog (Pretender Monster combiner, 1989)- Just to make thing even worse another on of the Monster combiners also suffers with the GPS illness, the side of him will crumble once Birdbrain is inserted as you attempt to form Monstructor.

G1-G2 European

Skyquake(Large Predator, 1992) - The scope on him is very delicate and will break rather violently if you try to use the smaller Predator jet gimmick (which is attaching one of the small Predator jet to the scope)

Pyro (Obliterator, 1993) – The main problems on him are his feet, lower arms, wheel rims, missile launcher, his gun and erm, crotch

Gen 2

Electro (Laser Rod, 1994 )- I think this one wanted to go into acting put he took the saying "break a leg" to literally since both legs are prone to massive breakage

Slingshot (Aerialbot, 1994) Made almost entirely of gold plastic, this one has been reported to break coming straight out of the package. Worse, he's another toy whose gimmick will destroy him since the head is the peg for Superion and can form an arm or a leg.

Some others to mention but will go into on a later date are:

Beast wars

Grimlock
Randy
Transmetal Megatron
Sliverbolt(Combiner)
Soundwave(Mutant)
Torca(Fuzor)

Beast Machines

Snarl

It has been reported that Hasbro has found an anti-virus but there is evidence that GPS has will not go down quietly.

Universe Micromaster Superion has GPS in the leg kibble

Ones to watch that are known to that the "swirl/ripples" are

Armada Optimus Prime-Kmart store exclusive

Blazemaster ROTF

As more break outs are reported I'll be sending out word.

The Transformer Guru