Universe 2.0 Sidswipe In-Package

[Gutsman Heavy]

blarg, two-tone sideswipe.

[GoktimusPrime]

That looks a LOT worse than Sunstreaker! Faaaaaaaaaaaaaar out!

[kup]

I guess that its just 'us' picky collectors who notices such things and Hasbro slacking off in the quality department is purely a matter of opinion

I was actually thinking of getting Universe Sideswipe as it has a more G1 accurate paint job (no chromed spoiler), similar paint details to henkei (black) and Hasbro generally gets reds right in figures (until now) but after this, I will be going for Henkei Sideswipe instead. The red color difference is very noticeable even through the package on a low res pic. At least with Universe Sunstreaker, you don't notice the different color shades so obviously in pictures

Some things are not a matter of 'opinion'. Hasbro is clearly slacking off for the sake of profiteering more by cutting on production costs. Some of us may not agree with the Chrome application on some Henkei but its hard to deny that Hasbro's overall production quality is inferior unless you want to pretend otherwise.

People should speak out if Hasbro wants to continue this agenda of diminishing overall quality instead of blind praise or silence from people. I may be ridiculed and laughed at for my statements on this but at least I have my eyes open.

[Robzy]

You're absolutely right Kup! I was hoping Universe Sideswipe would be good enough for me, but sadly it isn't!

[MV75]

I guess that its just 'us' picky collectors who notices such things and Hasbro slacking off in the quality department is purely a matter of opinion

I was actually thinking of getting Universe Sideswipe as it has a more G1 accurate paint job (no chromed spoiler), similar paint details to henkei (black) and Hasbro generally gets reds right in figures (until now) but after this, I will be going for Henkei Sideswipe instead. The red color difference is very noticeable even through the package on a low res pic. At least with Universe Sunstreaker, you don't notice the different color shades so obviously in pictures

Some things are not a matter of 'opinion'. Hasbro is clearly slacking off for the sake of profiteering more by cutting on production costs. Some of us may not agree with the Chrome application on some Henkei but its hard to deny that Hasbro's overall production quality is inferior unless you want to pretend otherwise.

People should speak out if Hasbro wants to continue this agenda of diminishing overall quality instead of blind praise or silence from people. I may be ridiculed and laughed at for my statements on this but at least I have my eyes open.

There's a good chance that the spoiler is red under that chrome anyway.
________
Medical Marijuana

[gamblor916]

Household bleach will strip chrome before your eyes.

[GoktimusPrime]

I've heard from Japanese kitbashers/customisers who use regular dishwashing detergent to strip chrome off TFs.

[kup]

I've heard from Japanese kitbashers/customisers who use regular dishwashing detergent to strip chrome off TFs.

well if air itself (over time) is enough to get the chrome off many plastics, I am sure that removing it will not be hard at all. The trick is how to get the chrome off while leaving an unspoiled red surface.

[STL]

People should speak out if Hasbro wants to continue this agenda of diminishing overall quality instead of blind praise or silence from people. I may be ridiculed and laughed at for my statements on this but at least I have my eyes open.

I don't like it but don't think for a moment Hasbro give a crap about my "blind praise" or "silence". They care about whether the toys move off the shelves and they sure as hell aren't going to care about a bunch of collectors moping and whinging on their boards.

I think everyone has their eyes opened. It's just some of us realise that saying how much we hate Hasbro and trying to rally an army of collectors at their doors with pitchforks ain't gonna happen. Parents aren't going to care and kids aren't sure as hell going to either. Quite frankly most of them don't notice. At the end of the day, we are a minority and I don't like it either but I've come to accept the reality is Hasbro plays a numbers game. It's brand is more important for it to build sales volumes to the mass market, not to a bunch of collectors raving madly in front of their computer screens.

When you use the word "agenda" it makes it seem like some systematic ploy that Hasbro has of alienating us. That they set out with the intent to maliciously deprive of us of the perfect toys we deserve. They don't. They're negligent and that's spun out of the fact that they honestly just don't give a stuff. They want high volumes moving and high sales. They don't care what you, me, or joe blow want. And that's their business model. Like it or not, it works for them on the back of the strength of the brand at the moment. But let's not kid ourselves for a moment and think that Hasbro are setting out with this vendetta against us. They aren't. They're just a lazy bunch of cost cutting profit seekers who see little value in high quality paint applications.

Do I like it? Hell no. But I don't have much of a choice. Hence why I turn to Takara.

If you really want to complain about someone, go complain at Takara. They're supposed to be collector focused so if they screw up majorly like they did with Sideswipe or Henkei Wildrider, then there's cause for uproar. Those are major stuff ups for a company supposedly trying to build itself on being more collector and quality orientated.

[gamblor916]

From what I've found the vacuum chrome plating actually protects the plastic underneath. Bleach will take off the chrome in seconds leaving the clear conductive coating intact. If you want to get rid of that layer soaking in something like Simple Green (a concentrated detergent) will get rid of that. After that it's just plain plastic.
Also Meguiars Scratch X is great for polishing.