Storage bags

[Ray Kunz]

I have an assortment of Whiting (Hebert-Miner) capes that are stored in their original zip-lock style poly baggies. When I take them out of their bags they are fine with no oily feel to the skin. BUT the bags themselves are very ouly and are sticking together. Is this the plastic itself degrading or does the plastic somehow draw the oil from the bird skin and let it migrate to the surface? I've never had this happen with other capes that I've had stored for years.

[Mark Vendon]

Hi Ray,

If the bags degraded, they would become embrittled and would start to break apart at the slightest touch or bend. You just need to wash them out and wipe the insides of them with a paper towel. The oil is from what's been stored inside of them. Plastic that's been extruded and formed into what ever shape, size, or form one could imagine, has been devolitlized to the extent that it's never going to seep any form of liquids ever. Whiting started adding a diaper to their capes a while back, so I would think that's the source of the oil. It's impossible for baggies to emit oil.
Regards,
Mark

[BlueDun]

When Whiting's "diaper" looks too oily, I replace it with a paper towel. Then, I replace the paper towel as needed.