The figures date from the 1950 s accndriog to the seller but perhaps there was something originally wrong with the wood seems unlikely since this company has been around a long time, and a big problem would surely have been noticed. The newer figures do have a different paint.Typical humidity around here is about 8% or less, but there are fluctuations the few times a year it decides to rain. Good idea about the water-base paint I'll check it out with some of the flakes.