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Creativity => Customs => Topic started by: jrr74 on January 03, 2016, 09:46:17 AM

Title: Updated: Any recommendations to minimize gnaw marks on pony's face
Post by: jrr74 on January 03, 2016, 09:46:17 AM
I bought her off of eBay a few years ago.  Out of all the US release ponies that a child chose to gnaw on, why her?  On the flip side, never could have afforded her if someone hadn't chewed on her face.  If memory serves me correctly, only me and another person bother to bid on this beautiful little girl!  Ok, coming back from a trip down memory lane, any suggestions on how one might minimize the appearance of this atrocity?  I was thinking of using a really fine sandpaper to minimize the ridges.  To barbaric?

before...

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getting there... 
 
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I used the suggestion posted by Purpleglasses.  For a beginner who has never done anything like this before before, I felt making a mold of another pony's muzzle was the easiest way to go for me.  Sanding will have to wait another day.
Title: Re: Any recommendations to minimize gnaw marks on pony's face
Post by: Sweet_Stuff on January 03, 2016, 10:10:42 AM
Following.. :ninja:
I'm interested to learn as well..  :) Poor Pony!
Title: Re: Any recommendations to minimize gnaw marks on pony's face
Post by: Karma on January 03, 2016, 11:45:54 AM
I may have to try a few things on a bait pony before I give you suggestions... Give me a couple of days to find a way that doesn't involve clay or apoxie. I'll try sandpaper and subtle melting first, but another idea is caulk, food coloring and corn powder stuff....
Title: Re: Any recommendations to minimize gnaw marks on pony's face
Post by: jrr74 on January 03, 2016, 12:49:16 PM
I may have to try a few things on a bait pony before I give you suggestions... Give me a couple of days to find a way that doesn't involve clay or apoxie. I'll try sandpaper and subtle melting first, but another idea is caulk, food coloring and corn powder stuff....

Wow, thank you!  The most invasive thing I have done to a pony is pop the head off and remove the hair.  Have yet to re-hair even though I have several hanks lying around :blush:  Now I have sandpapered wood, but never plastic  :nope:

I will look into the caulk stuff.  Concerned about getting the color right. 
Title: Re: Any recommendations to minimize gnaw marks on pony's face
Post by: UrocyonFox on January 03, 2016, 01:21:59 PM
Out of all the US release ponies that a child chose to gnaw on, why her?  On the flip side, never could have afforded her if someone hadn't chewed on her face.
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 (http://s1044.photobucket.com/user/jrr741/media/IMG_2396_zpss8w0tuf3.jpg.html)
It is actually rodent chewing (probably mouse), I have quite a few ponies I've gotten in bait lots that have similar tooth marks and when I owned rats and would give them chew toys this was always the bite pattern.

On a different note I am curious if anyone has ever tried soft sanding a pony smooth....

Can't wait to hear what you do about it
Title: Re: Any recommendations to minimize gnaw marks on pony's face
Post by: aintnobuffalo on January 03, 2016, 04:08:29 PM
I was able to sand off several small bumps on a Bride pony with sucess. There were a few around her mouth, and I was surprised at how well they were smoothed out. It was a superfine sandpaper, but I'm not sure which grade. I would absolutely try it out on a bait first. One of a similar color will help you get the best idea of an end result. Sounds like you might wait to see what Karma comes up with too.
Title: Re: Any recommendations to minimize gnaw marks on pony's face
Post by: jrr74 on January 11, 2016, 06:54:37 PM
Thanks everyone for the input.  Just one more project in ponyland. 
Title: Re: Any recommendations to minimize gnaw marks on pony's face
Post by: salemsparkler on January 19, 2016, 05:52:14 AM
Don't forget to keep us updated - we all want to see what's happening!!!!
Title: Re: Any recommendations to minimize gnaw marks on pony's face
Post by: Teddy on January 19, 2016, 08:53:54 AM
I found a Baby Fifi in a thrift shop a couple years ago with some burns to two of her legs. I used fine sandpaper and it worked pretty good. It sanded away the little bit of black around the edges where the plastic was burnt, and also smoothened out the melted surface of her legs. She's still not perfect of course, but I was quite pleased with the results.

I think it would help smoothen out the surface of poor Rapunzel's mouth there, but it would never be perfect of course. Totally your choice! It was an easier decision for me to try it on a relatively inexpensive pony. ;)
Title: Re: Any recommendations to minimize gnaw marks on pony's face
Post by: Karma on January 19, 2016, 05:27:14 PM
Sorry it's taking me so long. I didn't like how sandpaper worked, so, I'm trying the calk.
Title: Re: Any recommendations to minimize gnaw marks on pony's face
Post by: jrr74 on January 19, 2016, 11:56:48 PM
No need to apologize Karma.  My Punzie isn't going anywhere soon.  She may very well be my motivation to learn how to use some form of sculpting material and mix paints to match body color.  Or I will ship her off to a professional.  I am just grateful for your efforts  ^.^
Title: Re: Any recommendations to minimize gnaw marks on pony's face
Post by: Em_L._Pea_Customs on January 22, 2016, 04:37:08 PM
I have used the following method and it works great.  :)

Use a little acetone to soften the vinyl (apply sparingly with a cotton square).  Start with a fine grit sand paper and sand the area.  Hobby type sand paper film or sanding sticks, MADE FOR PLASTICS/VINYL, tend to work much better and come in much finer grits than wood type sandpapers.  Make sure you sand in one direction.  Next sand with super fine grit paper.  Then use a nail buffing block on the buff/shine side to smooth the vinyl back out.  You can even add a little water to the area when doing this.  Good luck! :) 

ETA:  No offense intended, but it might be worth commissioning her repair by an experienced member of the pony restoring/customizing community.  Or at the very least, put some gnaw marks into a bait and test your skills there first.  :)
Title: Re: Any recommendations to minimize gnaw marks on pony's face
Post by: mlp4me on January 22, 2016, 04:39:25 PM
There's quite a color selection of sculpy. I would say mix some pink and white til it matches and gently sand it down... I have baked an eyelash princess with tinsel, no issue. I'm not sure on her tinsel-a question worth asking if it melts even at the very low heat it takes to bake.
Title: Re: Any recommendations to minimize gnaw marks on pony's face
Post by: Eluluu on January 22, 2016, 04:58:07 PM
just thinking out loud... maybe if you took a chunk out of her neckplug and melted that... you could fill and sand the gnaws on her mouth and it *should* match then, since its from the same pony...?
Title: Re: Any recommendations to minimize gnaw marks on pony's face
Post by: jrr74 on January 22, 2016, 07:37:00 PM
Thank you Teddy, cookhuman, mlp4me, and Eluluu.  To be honest, I will probably chicken out and just send her to someone with experience to have her repaired, so no offense taken cookhuman.  She also has this faded area on her left shank that I would like to have painted.  But the ideas you each suggested, I will definitely try on some other ponies, that if I mess up, I won't cry quite as hard.   :cry:  The neckplug suggestion, great thinking outside the box.  I didn't know about sculpy and its wide range of colors.  I have a Nirvana Windy with part of her ear chewed off, may try that on her.  And the advice about sanding, much appreciated.  I feel like I was just handed the cliff notes  :biggrin:
Title: Re: Any recommendations to minimize gnaw marks on pony's face
Post by: Karma on January 23, 2016, 08:32:25 AM
just thinking out loud... maybe if you took a chunk out of her neckplug and melted that... you could fill and sand the gnaws on her mouth and it *should* match then, since its from the same pony...?
I've melted g4 ponies, but melting g1 seen to be a bit more difficult. Have you ever managed it?
Title: Re: Any recommendations to minimize gnaw marks on pony's face
Post by: Eluluu on January 23, 2016, 11:10:01 AM
Havent tried melting myself, was just thinking from a logic standpoint.
Title: Re: Any recommendations to minimize gnaw marks on pony's face
Post by: mlp4me on January 23, 2016, 03:53:04 PM
I've melted a G1 pony's face pretty well flat, but the plastic also discolors/burns. I was trying to get some light chews out of a applejack and she took a turn for the worse and was in too long at too high of a temp. Never tried melting the plastic on purpose for other purposes.
Title: Re: Any recommendations to minimize gnaw marks on pony's face
Post by: Purpleglasses on January 26, 2016, 10:40:47 PM
Hmm! If it were me, I would use sculpy to smooth over the damaged area, and boil it to cure it. You can sand it if the seam is noticeable.

Sculpey also makes a product called Sculpey Mold Maker. I have never used it but as far as I know it works like regular Sculpey, but when baked it remains somewhat flexible. If I were you, I would buy some and them press the muzzle of an unscratched  pony in the same pose as Rapunzel into it, carefully remove the Sculpey Mold Maker and bake it. Then, mix up some Sculpey to the right color, press it over the scratched area, and stick the mold over Rapunzel's face! You can bake it by dunking her in boiling water or use an air dry epoxy that you would paint later if you prefer.

It's a few steps and products but I think in the end the results would be lovely. Again I've never done this specific procedure but I have a pony with a chewed hoof and an unchewed one in the same pose, and if my local art store carries the stuff I'd be happy to try it and post a demo of the method I suggested.
Title: Re: Any recommendations to minimize gnaw marks on pony's face
Post by: Crystal-Sushi on January 27, 2016, 04:53:42 AM
Watching this... I have a SS Taffy and a watercolour baby sea pony with bite marks in need to repair...
Title: Re: Any recommendations to minimize gnaw marks on pony's face
Post by: jrr74 on January 27, 2016, 06:21:04 AM
@Purpleglasses thanks for another awesome idea. I just happen to have TAF Sweet Tooth near by.   She would love to be Punzie's muzzle double as long as she receives the appropriate props   :P
Title: Re: Any recommendations to minimize gnaw marks on pony's face
Post by: Purpleglasses on January 27, 2016, 11:27:49 PM
Glad I could help! I also found a product called Amazing Mold Putty that is similar, but cures to a softer, more silicone like texture. I watched a few video tutorials on each. Honestly I think the sculpey mold maker, which a few reviews said is kind of tough but still somewhat flexible, might be better for your project. You'd basically be using it like a rubber stamp. The good news is they're both under $20!

I haven't gotten a chance to get my hands on either product so can't post any helpful pics yet, but again, good luck making Rapunzel cute again!
Title: Re: Updated: Any recommendations to minimize gnaw marks on pony's face
Post by: jrr74 on January 30, 2016, 04:54:09 PM
  :bump: bumped for picture added.  Thank you for all of your suggestions
Title: Re: Updated: Any recommendations to minimize gnaw marks on pony's face
Post by: buttonso on January 30, 2016, 05:58:05 PM
Wow that looks like it turned out really well!!
Title: Re: Updated: Any recommendations to minimize gnaw marks on pony's face
Post by: aintnobuffalo on January 30, 2016, 07:21:57 PM
She looks great! What color did you use to match her, or did you make a mix of colors?
Title: Re: Updated: Any recommendations to minimize gnaw marks on pony's face
Post by: jrr74 on January 30, 2016, 08:48:28 PM
She looks great! What color did you use to match her, or did you make a mix of colors?

Thanks! I used sculpey premo 'Blush' combined with a lot of white.  I am very happy/pleasantly surprised with the match.  Stood in the isle for a while trying to decide what color to use.  Had Punzie right there with me at Hobby Lobby.
Title: Re: Updated: Any recommendations to minimize gnaw marks on pony's face
Post by: Purpleglasses on January 30, 2016, 11:51:07 PM
You did an excellent job! Rapunzel looks great. I'm so glad I could help.


Do you have any in progress photos, or pictures of the mold you made of the other pony's face? I wanted to post some step by step pics but the pony I had that was chewed was less damaged than I remembered, not really severe enough to justify making a mold. I'd love to see your process, perhaps we could submit some pics and a more polished description to the MLP preservation project.

Congratulations on that spiffy looking Rapunzel!
Title: Re: Updated: Any recommendations to minimize gnaw marks on pony's face
Post by: Uninu on January 31, 2016, 02:13:44 PM
Wow! You did an outstanding job with the repair and color matching! Punzie looks so much better and happier now :frolic:
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