Pin dot removal: tips, tricks and photographic evidence it can be done, please?

[Purpleglasses]

So! I have read a lot about pin dot (ingrained dirt) removal, but I can’t seem to get it to work for me. Recently I took a pindot-y pony, soaked her in some boiled water, and scraped the side of a popsicle stick against the side of the dirty area. Also used a wire bristle brush, a wet and dry magic eraser, and fingernails. It’s still full of little dots. Maybe a few came off? Hard to tell.

If you’ve made pin dot removal work, what’s your secret? I’d love to see some before and after pics too, please! Thank you!

Edit: spell check gave me pinot removal in the subject line, I changed it, har har.

[applejackbunny]

I tried this recently for the first time on a NSS Buttons who has horrible pindot grime. I don't have any pics to hand as I have't got it all off yet! 

Seriously, I think it *does* work but you have to be prepared to do some serious hard work and put in some time. Even giving it several sessions. Patience and perseverence are key...oh, and lots of hot water and soap to open up those pores and loosen the grime! 

The method I used was to have a bowl of *hot* water and some gentle liquid hand soap. Then scrape wth fingernails - a LOT!!!

Good luck! 

[RoseNoire]

You asked for photographs, here's this post with two amazing results by Featherwurm. =)
http://mlparena.com/index.php/topic,388848.msg1675804.html#msg1675804

[Safflower]

I put my pony's affected area in hot water for about two to three minutes to let the pores really open up. Then I squirt I bit of soap on her, and scrape pretty hard with my fingernail. The tips I can give you are to put her in hot water for a long time such as two to three minutes to get the pores open, use soap, and scrape hard with a strong fingernail Getting the pores open and scraping hard make a big difference!

[BlackCurtains]

It's amazing how something so easy to do is so hard to undo! The best I've found is lots of hot water elbow grease

[poniesthatsparkle]

About six months ago I bought an Applejack from an antique store, and she was absolutely covered in pindot, especially her legs.

I soaked her in boiling water until she got soft, scrubbed some dish soap on her, and scraped away. It took a good while, but now you can hardly tell she had pindot on her! She looks like a whole different pony. I'll post the pictures when I find them.

[Purpleglasses]

Thanks you guys! That's what I've been doing, mostly. Perhaps she is getting a bit less pin-dotty? I will give her another scrape tomorrow!

[nhal039]

there is an easy way with no scraping involved.
Make up a bowl of nearly boiling water, pop in a capful of napisan (I don't know the name of the us equivalent), pop in pony. Leave pony to soak until water is cold, some pindot will be removed, repeat again if necessary. Very rarely do you have to scrap out dirt using your finger nails after this using this method 

[Taxel]

there is an easy way with no scraping involved.
Make up a bowl of nearly boiling water, pop in a capful of napisan (I don't know the name of the us equivalent), pop in pony. Leave pony to soak until water is cold, some pindot will be removed, repeat again if necessary. Very rarely do you have to scrap out dirt using your finger nails after this using this method 

But do we know what effect this has on a pony over time?

Its less risky to just use water and fingernails. I'd stick with that.

[nhal039]

It's fine, people have used it for at least 10 years if there was going to be a problem it would have been seen by now.

[lovesbabysquirmy]

Napisan is OxyClean by the way....

[jrr74]

I put my pony's affected area in hot water for about two to three minutes to let the pores really open up. Then I squirt I bit of soap on her, and scrape pretty hard with my fingernail. The tips I can give you are to put her in hot water for a long time such as two to three minutes to get the pores open, use soap, and scrape hard with a strong fingernail Getting the pores open and scraping hard make a big difference!

This.  I don't just scrape though.  With the plastic being soft from the heat, I squeeze and scrape.  And when the plastic starts to stiffen again, heat it up (dip in hot water). Pliable plastic is key.  Very similar to trying to pop a zit 

Of course, there are some areas that you are not able to squeeze, those become the more labor intensive scrubbing parts

[RavenPaw]

Napisan is OxyClean by the way....

I thought OxyClean was dangerous to ponies?  Am I getting it confused with something else?

[tailrustedtealeaf]

Napisan is OxyClean by the way....

I thought OxyClean was dangerous to ponies?  Am I getting it confused with something else?

Maybe you're thinking of acne cream?

[nhal039]

Yeah I would say ance cream too, that stuff is terrible.