Smelly Breyer horse

[Taxel]

I recently purchased a Breyer, but she smells like vinegar. Is there any way to remove this smell?

[Diamond]

Sounds like it might be a shrinky, and no if it is there is no way to get rid of the smell.  How does the plastic feel and do you have another of that model to compare it to size wise?

[invaderhorizongreen]

did it come MIB?  if so that may have been the plastic of the package and the plastic of the toy reacting with one another.

[Taxel]

I don't have any other Breyers, just this one. She feels exactly like the one I had as a child minus the scratches/breaks mine had, of course.

And no, she wasn't MIB.


Edit; Actually, after feeling her some more she feels kind of. . .tight, maybe? Like the texture is too smooth or something. I think my childhood horse was more coarse feeling a little, but I could be completely imagining that. My mom got rid of my Breyer probably 5-6 years ago and I've only ever seen/touched that one though so idk.

[kaoskat]

That sounds unpleasant.

[Breyer600]

I agree with Diamond - it sounds like a shrinky.  Unfortunately, you can't really get rid of the smell in that case.

[HavACrumpet452]

I agree with possible shrinky. http://fallen-leaves.net/forums/orginal-finish/have-shrinky-images-t28675.html

I wouldn't throw out a shrinky though personally. I do have one who is starting to smell. I think ponies get rock solid once their plasticiser leaks and I like that because they seem to stop getting any problems once they've turned to rock so maybe Breyers benefit from that once they're done leaking.

[Diamond]

So far though, from what I have read at the Blab and Fallen Leaves the process for a Breyer does not stop. 

Can you post some photos?

[Taxel]

Should I ask the seller for a partial refund? There was no mention of shrinky. If this horse is trash because of this I'm going to be so angry. I just wanted to buy back my childhood Breyer. >.<

Did the best I could with photos but the lighting is not good in here right now (and will only get worse the rest of the day).
http://i819.photobucket.com/albums/zz120/ShortAxel/photos%20misc/IMG_2272.jpg
http://i819.photobucket.com/albums/zz120/ShortAxel/photos%20misc/IMG_2269.jpg
http://i819.photobucket.com/albums/zz120/ShortAxel/photos%20misc/IMG_2268.jpg
http://i819.photobucket.com/albums/zz120/ShortAxel/photos%20misc/IMG_2267.jpg
http://i819.photobucket.com/albums/zz120/ShortAxel/photos%20misc/IMG_2261.jpg
http://i819.photobucket.com/albums/zz120/ShortAxel/photos%20misc/IMG_2260.jpg
http://i819.photobucket.com/albums/zz120/ShortAxel/photos%20misc/IMG_2259.jpg
http://i819.photobucket.com/albums/zz120/ShortAxel/photos%20misc/IMG_2258.jpg
http://i819.photobucket.com/albums/zz120/ShortAxel/photos%20misc/IMG_2257.jpg
http://i819.photobucket.com/albums/zz120/ShortAxel/photos%20misc/IMG_2256.jpg
http://i819.photobucket.com/albums/zz120/ShortAxel/photos%20misc/IMG_2253.jpg
http://i819.photobucket.com/albums/zz120/ShortAxel/photos%20misc/IMG_2252.jpg

She doesn't have any wet spots. Should I move her away from my MLPs/dolls?

[StarDapple]

What is a "shrinky" if you don't mind my asking?

[HavACrumpet452]

A shrinky is when cellulose acetate breaks down in a Breyer and the horse tightens in on itself as it leaks and shrinks.

I don't know what to say about asking for some money back. If the seller is not familiar with vinegar syndrome they weren't purposely selling you a bad item. Make sure they didn't clean it with vinegar though I doubt it.

The model isn't trash yet in my eyes but you must store it in a ventilated room away from other things containing acetate. Cellulose acetate is used in everything from film to older legos. PVC ponies shouldn't be affected at all by the fumes. You can try the method of freezing it and then slowly thawing it in the fridge. Just keep in mind a cold Breyer is more brittle so try not to break it.

[StarDapple]

Thank you for the info HavACrumpet452!  I never knew this could happen.

[flyawayraven]

Huh, interesting. My mom collected Breyers when I was a kid. I distinctly remember some of them having a vinegar like smell and my mom got heavily into her collecting during the early 90's, when most of the shrinkies seem to be made.

Gonna have to pass this on to her.

[Taxel]

A shrinky is when cellulose acetate breaks down in a Breyer and the horse tightens in on itself as it leaks and shrinks.

I don't know what to say about asking for some money back. If the seller is not familiar with vinegar syndrome they weren't purposely selling you a bad item. Make sure they didn't clean it with vinegar though I doubt it.

The model isn't trash yet in my eyes but you must store it in a ventilated room away from other things containing acetate. Cellulose acetate is used in everything from film to older legos. PVC ponies shouldn't be affected at all by the fumes. You can try the method of freezing it and then slowly thawing it in the fridge. Just keep in mind a cold Breyer is more brittle so try not to break it.

They were selling a lot of Breyers on a model horse selling site and appear to be a collector. If this is a common/well known thing with Breyers like it sounds it is I have a very hard time believing they don't know about shrinky.

It sounds like this Breyer is a lot more trouble than she's worth. I'm very upset. I don't know what contains acetate or whatever. Sounds like I'll be asking for a refund. :/

[Breyer600]

Well, while I've known for years that some models have a tendency to shrink, I never knew it was considered contagious till just recently (and there is some debate over that); so, I don't know how well known the problem really is.  It's not even addressed in the Breyer Collector's Guide as a condition to watch for. 
 
My BHR Indian Ponies are all shrinkies.  I keep them with the rest of my herd and have for years without any indications of it having spread to anyone else.