Plasticizer Leaking :(

[TokiBear]

So... I have had my G1 collection in storage for awhile because of lack of space.  I took them out today to look them over... make sure no one was getting squished etc... Well, I noticed that my poor Quarterback is rather sticky... especially around his neck.  I thought maybe it was glue residue but it seems that it is all over his body.  I'm a little sad.  Poor guy is starting to show his age.

I'm wondering if there is much I can do to help him and if I should remove him from storage for awhile to keep his hair off of his body.  Will the plasticizer ruin his hair?

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[partypony566]

Oh dear! Sounds nasty I am not sure what you can do, but hopefully someone will have a solution for you

[Eluluu]

i remember reading somewhere that cleaning the inside of them helps a bit, like swabbing it out with alcohol or something, but i havent personally tried it as i twitch when i think of breaking the neckseal.

[Moondancer115]

Awh poor little thing!!!
I don't know what you can do. I hope someone on her can help you

[HavACrumpet452]

Cleaning with dish soap frequently can help the stickiness. Keep him away from other ponies. Eventually he should turn as hard as a rock but it could take years.

[Eternia]

From what I understand you can't stop it from happening, only delay it. I know there's a plastic toy product you can clean him with, I think it's called pine hills? or something...anyway, it's supposed to help remove the sticky. But it will come back. Eventually, his plastic will be really hard and he won't be sticky anymore.

[Eluluu]

hmm so its the plasticizer that causes Hard Body Syndrome? ive always wondered what was the cause of it (and why certain ponies seem prone to it) ive had 3 gingerbreads that are rock hard and was curious

[Margos]

I've been wondering...
So all the plasticizer leaks out, and the pony develops Hard Body Syndrome...  Okay?  So now the pony is hard and not squishy....
What's up with that?  Does the pony become more brittle?  Or is it just hard?  Because if it's just hard...  I'm not sure how big a problem that is...  Is it a problem, or is it just weird? 

[Eluluu]

not really a problem, just an oddity. its not more brittle, hell i can bang my gingerbreads on the table without scuffing, but if you ever want to take the heads off for whatever reason it can be a HUUGE pain. other than that theyre fine.

[Margos]

not really a problem, just an oddity. its not more brittle, hell i can bang my gingerbreads on the table without scuffing, but if you ever want to take the heads off for whatever reason it can be a HUUGE pain. other than that theyre fine.

Oh, OK.  I'm a lot less worried about this, now.  In which case, is there any way you can actually speed the plasticizer break-down once it begins?  It seems to me like Hard Body Syndrome is much better than being sticky and gross!

[Eluluu]

im honestly not sure, ive never noticed any of mine with stickies, just random new additions from ebay and antique stores that were already hard. im keeping an eye on the hard ones and checking around online for pics of other ones (specifically gingerbread and sweet stuff as they seem prone to it) to see if the ones that are reported as being hard have any discoloration. just trying to research if HBS is linked to pony cancer or other color issues.

[Baby Sugarberry]

It's hard to say, however certain ponies are prone to multiple problems - weather this is because of a single source, or simply more than one inherent flaw in their plastic composition is going to be pretty hard to tell.


http://mylittlewiki.org/wiki/Bait


There's a list started there of common problems with specific models.

[Megans_Cousin]

I beleive Twin Pines of Maine is the one that sells the cleaning products. Anyway, after washing off with dish soap, you can put baby powder on him. That should keep the stickiness away for awhile but you'll have to do it every once and awhile because it will come back. Plasticizer leaking always makes me sad. I really wish there was a way to speed up the breakdown process!

[terpsichore07]

I don't know if this is much help, but I have had this work for other items with this issue.  Take some baking soda or a gentle powder cleaner like you would use on a kitchen sink and mix with a bit of water to make a paste.  Use an old toothbrush and scrub completely and thoroughly.  Obviously be careful on delicate areas like symbols and eyes.  This should remove the stickiness although sometimes it will return as it does not reverse the problem, just removes the sticky build up.  Hope this helps. 

[TokiBear]

Thanks everyone!  I'll pull him out and give him a nice cleaning with dishsoap.  Might try that baby powder too.  I guess he will be coming to school with me this summer too so I can keep up on his care.  Poor guy... I do feel bad for him... cancer, stickiness, frizzy hair... he needs some help haha