The MLP Arena

Pony Talk => Pony Corral => Topic started by: WaterDraw on June 16, 2019, 05:27:15 PM

Title: Do You Prefer SS Ponies With Their Flocking or Without?
Post by: WaterDraw on June 16, 2019, 05:27:15 PM
     Recently I was looking at some de-flocked So Soft ponies and I realized how much I prefer them without the flocking than with it. They just have such neon colors underneath and it gets muddled out by the flocking. I know that in places outside the US (I'm not sure if it was only the UK or in places outside the UK) that they had some of the ponies here that were flocked as not having any flocking (Like Shady and Wind Whistler) and I honestly think they look so much better. That's not to say that if I found a So Soft pony I'd just go and hack all of the flocking off because I prefer the look, but if the flocking was just beyond fixing (ex. if most of it was already gone or something like that) and was overall just making the pony look worse then I'd probably be okay with de-flocking it (although I'd still probably be a bit hesitant because it's original to the pony and everything).
     But overall, I just think I'm more-so a fan of the look than anything. I prefer ponies without a specific gimmick. There are very few gimmicks that I actually like so I'm probably biased in that sense. Maybe if I actually ever felt a so soft pony, I'd be a fan of the flocking more, but as it currently stands look wise I prefer no flocking.
      What do you guys think though? Are you a fan of the flocking? Do you think there should've been more ponies with flocking? Do you dislike it? Are you indifferent to it?
Title: Re: Do You Prefer SS Ponies With Their Flocking or Without?
Post by: Pumpkin_Tart on June 16, 2019, 05:36:06 PM
I agree with you about flocked and special ponies.. I just never really got into them ( especially G3 gem ponies I just prefer normal flat symbols) But Pretty much the only exception for me is  SS crumpet.. looks good both ways.. her yellow comes out more then white SS.  :) Look forward to hearing others opinions!
Title: Re: Do You Prefer SS Ponies With Their Flocking or Without?
Post by: Nemesis on June 16, 2019, 06:34:53 PM
I absolutely love flocking! If a toy has flocking (be it a pony, a Sylvanian, a Shoppet, or whatever) I’m about 75% more likely to buy it. XD It just adds such a cute effect, IMO.

That said, vintage SS ponies can get into seriously rough shape. If flocking is moldy, matted, and half missing, I always deflock. It is a little sad, since like you said, it’s original to the pony... but flocking that far gone is never again going to be what it was. It’s great that they have such bright, beautiful colors underneath... It really gives the pony a second life after their flocking is beyond help. :)
Title: Re: Do You Prefer SS Ponies With Their Flocking or Without?
Post by: WaterDraw on June 16, 2019, 07:24:45 PM
I absolutely love flocking! If a toy has flocking (be it a pony, a Sylvanian, a Shoppet, or whatever) I’m about 75% more likely to buy it. XD It just adds such a cute effect, IMO.

That said, vintage SS ponies can get into seriously rough shape. If flocking is moldy, matted, and half missing, I always deflock. It is a little sad, since like you said, it’s original to the pony... but flocking that far gone is never again going to be what it was. It’s great that they have such bright, beautiful colors underneath... It really gives the pony a second life after their flocking is beyond help. :)

Flocking can get moldy?  :shocked: I never knew that! I just knew that it could rub off, get extremely dirty, and I think the glue underneath can yellow and make the pony look yellowed? Flocking is a lot more delicate than I thought...Can moldy flocking spread to the actual pony and make it's plastic moldy as well?

Also, that's such a nice way to put it. :) If I ever have to de-flock a pony in the restoration process, I'll forever think of it as a better-good sort of thing and that they'll be having a happier, more vibrant second life ;)
Title: Re: Do You Prefer SS Ponies With Their Flocking or Without?
Post by: Khoufu on June 16, 2019, 07:46:06 PM
I  originally wanted deflocked or NSS Paradise because flocking yellows faster. But once I obtained a near-mint SS Paradise, I fell in love with nice minty soft flocking! I would still love a non-flocked Paradise but I'm happy with my SS.

So, I wish both SS and NSS were equally available.
Title: Re: Do You Prefer SS Ponies With Their Flocking or Without?
Post by: Leave a Whisper on June 16, 2019, 08:19:05 PM
With. Always.

Unless the flocking is screwed beyond repair (i.e pee, mildew, mold, botched deflocking job, radioactive goop that may or may not give you superpowers), then it should be left alone.
Title: Re: Do You Prefer SS Ponies With Their Flocking or Without?
Post by: SpacePinto on June 16, 2019, 08:30:02 PM
I can kind of understand their appeal especially to children, but I like it more when a pony has a clearly visible symbol and isn't coated with material that just seems like an inevitable magnet for wear and dirt ;)
Title: Re: Do You Prefer SS Ponies With Their Flocking or Without?
Post by: Nemesis on June 16, 2019, 09:07:35 PM
Flocking can get moldy?  :shocked: I never knew that! I just knew that it could rub off, get extremely dirty, and I think the glue underneath can yellow and make the pony look yellowed? Flocking is a lot more delicate than I thought...Can moldy flocking spread to the actual pony and make it's plastic moldy as well?

Also, that's such a nice way to put it. :) If I ever have to de-flock a pony in the restoration process, I'll forever think of it as a better-good sort of thing and that they'll be having a happier, more vibrant second life ;)

Unfortunately, yes... flocking can get moldy. :( It’s very icky... though I’ve heard it can be treated/cleaned, in some cases.

I don’t know whether or not moldy flocking can spread to the actual body. There are many different species of mold, so it’s possible that the kind that lives in the flocking (possibly feeding off of the adhesive...or some type of ingrained filth) wouldn’t be able to survive on vinyl/plasticizer. But that is PURELY speculation on my part. I deflocked a Magic Star with filthy, patchy, matted, and very possibly moldy flocking, recently. When I opened her up for cleaning, I discovered several small, black dots—most likely mold—on the inside of one hoof (there was absolutely no mold on the outside of the pony’s plastic). That doesn't really prove anything though, since a mold-friendly environment could have easily allowed two unrelated types of mold to form independent of each other. (Magic Star cleaned up beautifully by the way, after a couple of boil treatments and a good deflocking. Thus, moldy flocking is no indication of the state of the bright, colorful plastic beneath. :))

Flocking glue can also yellow, but the effect isn’t usually too terrible IMO.

Vintage flocking is indeed rather delicate! I preserve it whenever I can, but when it’s just beyond salvage... It is cool that there’s this gorgeous pony underneath, just waiting to be unearthed. :D
Title: Re: Do You Prefer SS Ponies With Their Flocking or Without?
Post by: kingluke on June 17, 2019, 12:52:45 AM
I prefer without flocking, however I have come to appreciate a good flocking, like near mint.
I won't deflock anypony that has nearly mint flocking. I have best wishes with near mint flocking so she's gonna keep that flocking. However if I could I would deflock them all, but that won't be right. I still love my best wishes tho, flocking and all :)
Title: Re: Do You Prefer SS Ponies With Their Flocking or Without?
Post by: banditpony on June 17, 2019, 02:50:31 AM
Nothing beats minty flock.
Title: Re: Do You Prefer SS Ponies With Their Flocking or Without?
Post by: gemini_pony on June 17, 2019, 02:51:10 AM
I HATE flocking.  I have a tactile aversion to it and touching it kind of makes me nauseous.
Title: Re: Do You Prefer SS Ponies With Their Flocking or Without?
Post by: mlp4me on June 17, 2019, 05:44:35 AM
I like ponies original. Flocking is a must for me.
Title: Re: Do You Prefer SS Ponies With Their Flocking or Without?
Post by: Taffeta on June 17, 2019, 08:10:01 AM
I grew up in a place where we never had SS so if I must choose, the movie versions are gonna win. Especially Magic Star and Shady who are imo superior in all respects to their wishy washy flocked counterparts.

But I actually have a mint SS shady and her mintness is fascinating to me as well.

I like SS ponies a lot but some...like Ribbon and Paradise...should have come without.  Paradise there was even that prototype.

I have a couple of deflocks - Ribbon, Twilight, Hippety and Fifi, all from abused bases, and love them that way.

In my opinion flocking is fine but regular is better. And the biggest missed opportunity was a regular Twist. I don't have a deflock yet but have the Brazilian one and the colours are awesome.
Title: Re: Do You Prefer SS Ponies With Their Flocking or Without?
Post by: cottoncandycafe on June 17, 2019, 08:44:51 AM
I don't own any deflocks and doubt i'll ever go out of my way to get one. I just really love gimmicky ponies and the fuzzy feeling of a near-mint SS- my Bouncy was the jewel of my collection for a long time.  :)
Title: Re: Do You Prefer SS Ponies With Their Flocking or Without?
Post by: brightberry on June 17, 2019, 10:08:00 AM
I like minty flocking and if the pony was originally meant to be flocked, I'd rather they stay that way.  It gives the pony a lovely sparkle.  But I'm not against deflocking either.  A pony with hopeless flocking looks so much better deflocked.
Title: Re: Do You Prefer SS Ponies With Their Flocking or Without?
Post by: Noasar on June 17, 2019, 10:58:51 AM
I like both! I have 10 deflocks and my favourite ones in their original SS form too. They’re interesting to compare. Mint SS are beautiful. But if their flocking is bad, like really really bad I think they definitely look better without. Otherwise they look like they have a bad case of mange XD
Title: Re: Do You Prefer SS Ponies With Their Flocking or Without?
Post by: WaterDraw on June 17, 2019, 11:21:32 AM
I like both! I have 10 deflocks and my favourite ones in their original SS form too. They’re interesting to compare. Mint SS are beautiful. But if their flocking is bad, like really really bad I think they definitely look better without. Otherwise they look like they have a bad case of mange XD

Oooo which ponies do you have de-flocked?
Title: Re: Do You Prefer SS Ponies With Their Flocking or Without?
Post by: BubbleTea on June 17, 2019, 04:58:29 PM
I LOVE flocking. I love the feel of it. It's like a having a real, fluffy pony... but tiny!

And I've been wanting to custom flock a pony for ages...
Title: Re: Do You Prefer SS Ponies With Their Flocking or Without?
Post by: SkyCakes on June 17, 2019, 06:15:02 PM
I like both too but I prefer my ponies to have their flocking. I like fuzzy ponies. :) I have done a deflock with Taffy I think she is my only one. I tried doing a deflock to a SS twilight but I didnt keep her long.
Title: Re: Do You Prefer SS Ponies With Their Flocking or Without?
Post by: Artemesia's Garden on June 17, 2019, 09:18:48 PM
The answer is that I like both but I have a space issue and I also like restoring ponies so I only have de-flocked ones or ponies waiting to be de-flocked. I just remembered that part of the reason I started de-flocking was also because there are a lot of iconic pegasus ponies in this collection and I wanted to even out the numbers in my collection. I only buy ponies to de-flock where I also correct other common issues like bad hair, tail rust etc. I spent ages deflocking a SS Twilight only to discover that she has an issue with the molding on her neck. I think may be her head is not her original. Anyway, she always looks odd. I guess this is a risk with buying any baits on Ebay. I have also de-flocked Angel, Good Wishes, Magic Star, Bouncy, Truly x 2, Hippety Hop x2 and Paradise x2 and I have partially de-flocked Lofty and Ribbon in my cupboard. As other people have mentioned, the glue on some can be a lot tougher. I have always wanted a Lofty and it's so frustrating that I can't finish her yet! I think she was in the comics a lot maybe, or for some other reason I had heard of her when I was a kid and but this was her only type of release.
Title: Re: Do You Prefer SS Ponies With Their Flocking or Without?
Post by: Khoufu on June 17, 2019, 09:37:52 PM
This thread was good luck! I found a wild SS Paradise today. Her flocking is about 6/10 - 7/10 I'm debating selling since I already have a mint one, or deflocking even though her flocking isn't *that* bad.
Title: Re: Do You Prefer SS Ponies With Their Flocking or Without?
Post by: WaterDraw on June 17, 2019, 11:10:05 PM
The answer is that I like both but I have a space issue and I also like restoring ponies so I only have de-flocked ones or ponies waiting to be de-flocked. I just remembered that part of the reason I started de-flocking was also because there are a lot of iconic pegasus ponies in this collection and I wanted to even out the numbers in my collection. I only buy ponies to de-flock where I also correct other common issues like bad hair, tail rust etc. I spent ages deflocking a SS Twilight only to discover that she has an issue with the molding on her neck. I think may be her head is not her original. Anyway, she always looks odd. I guess this is a risk with buying any baits on Ebay. I have also de-flocked Angel, Good Wishes, Magic Star, Bouncy, Truly x 2, Hippety Hop x2 and Paradise x2 and I have partially de-flocked Lofty and Ribbon in my cupboard. As other people have mentioned, the glue on some can be a lot tougher. I have always wanted a Lofty and it's so frustrating that I can't finish her yet! I think she was in the comics a lot maybe, or for some other reason I had heard of her when I was a kid and but this was her only type of release.
Good luck de-flocking Lofty ad Ribbon! Hope you can get it done soon so you can fully enjoy Lofty. Also sorry to hear about the Twilight issue :(
This thread was good luck! I found a wild SS Paradise today. Her flocking is about 6/10 - 7/10 I'm debating selling since I already have a mint one, or deflocking even though her flocking isn't *that* bad.
Oh my really?? That's so awesome! It's so hard to come by SS in the wild...Also you do whatever will make you the happiest. If you want to sell her, go ahead, or if you want to de-flock her, have at it.  ^.^
Title: Re: Do You Prefer SS Ponies With Their Flocking or Without?
Post by: Taffeta on June 18, 2019, 12:47:03 AM
Lofty and Ribbon had a considerable UK presence but weren't sold here as part of the movie set, so I guess we all feel a bit shortchanged by their lack of regular versions. Paradise too because she was advertised with the Estate, but it never happened in the end.

I guess I should say that I'm not against the deflocking of damaged SS ponies but I have a moral concern about people deflocking SS ponies that look exactly the same as their regular counterparts under the fur. Although you can tell with close scrutiny, it can be misleading and a lot of people dislike marking their ponies as deflocks or customs for some reason, so in my view there are some ponies that should never be deflocked under any circs.

Truly and Cupcake top that list as the regular versions sell for a lot of money so the temptation for someone unscrupulous to run a scam is high. I think North Star and Gusty are also pretty like their regular counterparts under the fur, though I genuinely don't see the point in deflocking either since I'm pretty sure at least SS Gusty is more hard to find than the movie star one in general and certainly not worth less...Buttons also matches one version of the Movie Star release so I would also call her risky to deflock.

I don't even see the point in considering deflocking Sundance when the regular is so much more common. I guess the same can be applied to CJ, Posey, etc. I am not sure how close Posey is deflocked to the 1986 European one but I am pretty sure she's worth more flocked.

Shady also seems a bit pointless although even under her fur the SS is not as vividly pink as the movie star one I grew up with (whose comic character also eclipses the animated one, fittingly).

The others - Magic Star, Wind Whistler (who is similar but a darker blue and all pink whistles), and any of the ponies who never had a regular version (so Ribbon, Lofty, Paradise, Best Wishes and all of the 2nd/3rd sets) are fair game to me if their flocking is wrecked because they can't be mistaken for the original.

As for SS Satin and Lace - I think you'd get hate mail if you deflocked her ;)
Title: Re: Do You Prefer SS Ponies With Their Flocking or Without?
Post by: starstrider on June 18, 2019, 11:09:02 AM
For a long time I was wasn't a fan of de-flocked ponies.  A few years ago I was desperately looking for a SS Angel, but she was always way out of my price range or had really manky flocking, so I hadn't had any luck.  So when I saw a de-flocked Angel, I thought she might be as good as I was going to get, so I grabbed her.  It wasn't until I actually had her in my hands that I really started to like her. Now I'm a fan of both - but on the caveat that people shouldn't de-flock a mint or near mint pony.  I can't stand seeing SS ponies with good flocking having it stripped off them. 
Title: Re: Do You Prefer SS Ponies With Their Flocking or Without?
Post by: Noasar on June 18, 2019, 12:23:45 PM
Here are my deflocks :)

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 (https://ibb.co/TB7Q0Yf)
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 (https://ibb.co/jzm5mWZ)
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 (https://ibb.co/8MH4sDf)

I’d like to add Angel, Scrumptious and Bangles and then I think I’m done!
Title: Re: Do You Prefer SS Ponies With Their Flocking or Without?
Post by: achab1984 on June 18, 2019, 12:46:52 PM
I love them with there flocking unless its pretty worn out. Then off with it! 
Title: Re: Do You Prefer SS Ponies With Their Flocking or Without?
Post by: BlushingBlue on June 18, 2019, 04:12:56 PM
I love them both ways. ^.^ Thick, velvety flocking is so nice to nuzzle, but the colors and symbols of So Softs are easier to appreciate when they're deflocked.

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I would never deflock a SS with good (or even middling) flocking, but once they get mangy I think deflocking makes them look worlds better!
Title: Re: Do You Prefer SS Ponies With Their Flocking or Without?
Post by: Pokeyonekenobie on June 18, 2019, 04:22:11 PM
I deflock only if the flocking is really bad, like the Posey I got in an eBay lot that had chunks of flocking come off in my hand every time I touched her.  She's much prettier now.  I've also done a North Star and Magic Star, both of whom had their flocking worn down to the glue (also purchased these second hand) and they looked terrible.  I wish I'd thought to take before and after pictures of them.
Title: Re: Do You Prefer SS Ponies With Their Flocking or Without?
Post by: Khoufu on June 20, 2019, 09:08:42 PM
This thread was good luck! I found a wild SS Paradise today. Her flocking is about 6/10 - 7/10 I'm debating selling since I already have a mint one, or deflocking even though her flocking isn't *that* bad.
Oh my really?? That's so awesome! It's so hard to come by SS in the wild...Also you do whatever will make you the happiest. If you want to sell her, go ahead, or if you want to de-flock her, have at it.  ^.^

My previous wild find, a year ago at a yard sale, also included a SS (Heartthrob) in a bit better condition (also a baby sea pony, 4 bushwoolies, and 2 Princess wands, none of which the seller recognized as MLP besides Heartthrob). So far my only yard sale G1 find and my only thrift store G1 find.
Considering Paradise costed me a whopping 30 cents, I'd say it wouldn't be a waste of my money if I made her my test subject. Never deflocked nor beheaded a pony before. Besides, I wanted NSS Paradise and originally 'settled' for a flocked one.
Title: Re: Do You Prefer SS Ponies With Their Flocking or Without?
Post by: katrine2309 on June 28, 2019, 01:03:16 PM
Without. I never really liked the flocking, not even as a kid. I always was partia to the original, no gimmick ponies :P
Title: Re: Do You Prefer SS Ponies With Their Flocking or Without?
Post by: Taffeta on June 28, 2019, 01:07:28 PM
This thread was good luck! I found a wild SS Paradise today. Her flocking is about 6/10 - 7/10 I'm debating selling since I already have a mint one, or deflocking even though her flocking isn't *that* bad.
Oh my really?? That's so awesome! It's so hard to come by SS in the wild...Also you do whatever will make you the happiest. If you want to sell her, go ahead, or if you want to de-flock her, have at it.  ^.^

My previous wild find, a year ago at a yard sale, also included a SS (Heartthrob) in a bit better condition (also a baby sea pony, 4 bushwoolies, and 2 Princess wands, none of which the seller recognized as MLP besides Heartthrob). So far my only yard sale G1 find and my only thrift store G1 find.
Considering Paradise costed me a whopping 30 cents, I'd say it wouldn't be a waste of my money if I made her my test subject. Never deflocked nor beheaded a pony before. Besides, I wanted NSS Paradise and originally 'settled' for a flocked one.

If her flocking isn't that bad, it would be better to sell her to someone looking and invest in a baitier one (not least as it will be less deflocking work).

Paradise wasn't sold in all countries. I'm sure she'd have a market somewhere.
Title: Re: Do You Prefer SS Ponies With Their Flocking or Without?
Post by: nhal039 on June 28, 2019, 05:24:30 PM
I like them better without flocking
Title: Re: Do You Prefer SS Ponies With Their Flocking or Without?
Post by: nebulavery on June 29, 2019, 02:20:34 PM
I think I need to experience flocking first before coming to a conclusion! I do like the colors of deflocked ponies, but for me it all comes down to whether or not the sensory experience is a good one.
Title: Re: Do You Prefer SS Ponies With Their Flocking or Without?
Post by: Khoufu on July 02, 2019, 11:06:00 PM
I think I need to experience flocking first before coming to a conclusion! I do like the colors of deflocked ponies, but for me it all comes down to whether or not the sensory experience is a good one.

Touch a near mint one if you can!  I touch my two near mint ones just to feel their flocking sometimes.
Title: Re: Do You Prefer SS Ponies With Their Flocking or Without?
Post by: ladygodiva on July 04, 2019, 03:38:22 PM

There is no denying that if you remove the flock, the colors they have are very bright and beautiful, but I prefer one with the perfect flock. In fact I have Paradise and I love it.
Title: Re: Do You Prefer SS Ponies With Their Flocking or Without?
Post by: Taffeta on July 04, 2019, 04:04:54 PM
Without. I never really liked the flocking, not even as a kid. I always was partia to the original, no gimmick ponies :P

Katrine, did you have SS ponies in Norway as well?!
Title: Re: Do You Prefer SS Ponies With Their Flocking or Without?
Post by: Roogna on July 05, 2019, 08:33:35 AM
WITH!
my fuzzy girls need to stay fuzzy!
Title: Re: Do You Prefer SS Ponies With Their Flocking or Without?
Post by: Carrehz on July 09, 2019, 02:07:40 AM
Without, no context. I don't mind flocking in general (haha I'd hope not, I collect Sylvanians as well) but somehow flocked ponies just don't do it for me, I'm not sure why... but they look so much prettier deflocked!!

That said, I'd never deflock a minty SS. But if the flocking has seen better days, then they're fair game for deflocking IMO ;)
Title: Re: Do You Prefer SS Ponies With Their Flocking or Without?
Post by: bright rabbit 1 on July 09, 2019, 02:34:45 AM
Without because you can’t really see their symbols in the flocking.

I much rather have flocking on doll heads.
Title: Re: Do You Prefer SS Ponies With Their Flocking or Without?
Post by: Lilja on July 09, 2019, 05:31:18 AM
I'm weird about it. Initially I wanted to collect so softs, because even if I didn't grow up with them, I still grew up with the characters due to the cartoon (and also love many of the non-cartoon ones like Angel, Fifi, Scrumptious etc.). But in the end I just can't. They're so hard to find in good condition, there are SO MANY of them and also the flocking just doesn't feel right to me. They look off standing next to regular ponies. So I'm sticking to the NSS "Movie Star" set instead.

I feel a bit uneasy about deflocks, since they're altered and it's not how they're "supposed to be". But I can't very well tell others what to do with their ponies, especially when I don't collect them myself. It's kind of weird that good deflocks are probably a lot more desired than dingy so softs, and sell for more money. It makes sense though, since it's a lot of work to deflock a pony. Part of me feels like "why bother?", because if you don't like flocked ponies, there are A LOT of non-flocked ponies you can focus on instead. But I also get it, that these particular characters are very beloved by people. I have one deflock in my collection, Paradise, because my inner child desperately needed her to go with Paradise Estate. And I'm constantly tempted to get a deflocked Ribbon as well, so...  :biggrin:

I think it goes to show that this gimmick was pretty ill-conceived by Hasbro. No one really asked for or wanted this. But after three years of making "regular" ponies they desperately needed to add something new. We never got flocked ponies ever again, and 30+ years later it seems most collectors are just not that into it, whether they grew up with such ponies or not.
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