Cleaning around symbols?

[Sleepytail]

I got my first G1 ponies and they need to be cleaned up, especially Sugarberry, but I'm super nervous about it.  Sugarberry has some light stains around her symbols and she's a bit discolored all over, and I've been reading up on how to clean them but I can't find anything about protecting symbols.  Sugarberry is covered in them!  So, what's the best way to clean and lighten her up without risking the symbols?

[princesskitty]

you could try just useing soap and water (cold, not hot or warm)
or try covering up her symbol with some packing tape and clean her normally.


that's what I would try ^^
good luck~

[TokiBear]

Have you tried a magic eraser yet?  They work wonders on ponies and I haven't had one mess with a symbol yet. I just used one on Starshine who has a glittery symbol and the symbols didn't change a bit.

[Calico_Star]

I'd just take a magic eraser and just go for it. Most things will come off with a magic eraser, but I have yet to damage symbols with it. Even if I'm scrubbing paint or other marks off of symbols or eyes, I've never had a problem with smudging or damaging them.

[kittybethy]

Yup!! Magic eraser!

 You can also use Q-Tips with Acetone and be very careful around the symbols!

[Rachel-Eyes]

If you're like me and don't really have access to Magic Erasers, you could try a dish soap and scrub GENTLY with a toothbrush or nail brush. I was just cleaning ponies like that tonight and with a little love I was able to get them spotless. I don't recommend this with glittery symbols though.

[tehrin]

Try a magic eraser first. Usually that gets rid of dirt and other problems. If the symbols have pen marks on them, 70% rubbing alcohol will take off ink marks on the paint (including sharpie) without removing or damaging any paint (with exception to glitter symbols, since a cottonball can grab up the glitter)

I'd be extremely careful with acetone. One wrong swipe and it'll take the paint right off. I usually avoid it around symbols, and I have a super-steady hand. @_@!