Restoring Seashell - need some help/advice please!

[hathorcat]

I agree sunfading is a great first idea. the purple blue stains could be pen or as a color this shade is a little notorious for bleaching to cause sections without pigment and sections of darker colo.

Cant wait to see results. Good luck.

[shadowlark]

Yeah, I was worried at first that it was a weird reaction in the actual plastic, but then I turned her over and saw an "N" written on her belly that's the exact same color as the markings, so I'm pretty sure it's marker/pen that I somehow smeared on her as a child.  I'm sorry Seashell!! 

[himmie]

I'm looking forward to seeing how she turns out. My Seashell is rather faded, as well. I have been debating what to do for her.

[shadowlark]

I'm looking forward to seeing how she turns out. My Seashell is rather faded, as well. I have been debating what to do for her.

I'll definitely post pics, even if it doesn't work out. Hopefully the sunfading won't take too long and then I can try dying her

[rybett]

I have managed to dye the whites of eyes by mistake.  A couple of layers of Modge Podge to protect them fixes that.  Then peels right off.

[shadowlark]

Thanks for the tip rybett! Will keep that in mind!

[hathorcat]

Yeah, I was worried at first that it was a weird reaction in the actual plastic, but then I turned her over and saw an "N" written on her belly that's the exact same color as the markings, so I'm pretty sure it's marker/pen that I somehow smeared on her as a child.  I'm sorry Seashell!! 

Thats a relief then in some ways as pen mark should be fixable with time and plenty of sunlight but the pigment breakdown wouldnt have been.

I do wonder though when I see this on ponies sometimes whether the ink reacts to a pigment issue and this is what causes it to "spread" through the plastic pores? Is the "N" mark really smudgy as though its bled into the plastic?

[shadowlark]

I do wonder though when I see this on ponies sometimes whether the ink reacts to a pigment issue and this is what causes it to "spread" through the plastic pores? Is the "N" mark really smudgy as though its bled into the plastic?

Yes, the "N" is pretty fuzzy looking so it does look like it has bled, but the marks on her side aren't near the "N". There are a couple of smudges on her sides/back, but they aren't connected (visible connected, anyway). I wonder if it's possible to spread through the plastic without working it's way to the surface? Maybe the plastic is thicker in spots so it's not visible on the surface...

[hathorcat]

I would guess where the marks on her side are, there were original marks maybe just an accidental or deliberate thin line of pen. Unfortunately like you see around the "N", the ink has bled into the plastic and become much thicker in appearance.

I am sure with sunfading you will move it on though. Its interesting to see however how the ink has changed and moved into and though the plastic over time.

[Rhubarbpie]

And if sun fading or dyeing doesn't work, maybe you could make her a little dress 

[shadowlark]

And if sun fading or dyeing doesn't work, maybe you could make her a little dress 

She was actually wearing this when I found her at my parents', so maybe I could try sewing the hole and she could wear it again....

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[Baby Sugarberry]

Sadly Seashell is one of those ponies who isn't colorfast, so expect her to fade to a kind of grey-yellow with plenty of sunshine.  I've got one poor Seashell who looks like she's seasick, she must have been wearing ponywear  and a hat for a long long time in some window, because only her face and neck are faded. 

[DappleCafe]

Is it possible that some of the marking might be on the inside? I don't know if it would help, but maybe some cleaner on the inside could help loosen things up if the ink bled deep?

Otherwise like everyone else has said, sunfading and possibly redying her body.

Best of luck!

[Sugar]

Can't wait to see the results!   I'm pulling for some extra-early Alberta spring weather for you.

[Kiwi]

*bump*