The MLP Arena

Pony Talk => Pony Corral => Topic started by: Gogobinsin on April 13, 2012, 09:44:15 AM

Title: Tail rust help please?
Post by: Gogobinsin on April 13, 2012, 09:44:15 AM

I recently got Nice n' Spicy and whilst she is in a mostly good condition I noticed at the very base of her tail that she had a tiny bit of rust on the left side. I was able to clean the rust off pretty easily and the rust problem is now not at all noticeable from the outside. She is only my 7th G1 and I've never dealt with tail rust before so I'm a little bit scared of removing her head and removing the washer etc. Should I bother tackling the rust or will leaving it create further problems inside the body? If it should be removed I'd be grateful if somebody could link me to a good guide with details on how to remove and replace the head easily as this is the part that worries me the most, thank you :)

Title: Re: Tail rust help please?
Post by: partypony566 on April 13, 2012, 12:45:03 PM

Toothpaste is good for tail rust, you just brush it onto the area with an old toothbrush then rinse off.

You need an exacto knife to take the
head off and it takes a lot of precision to get it right. I dont have much experience in chopping the heads off though so hopefully someone has some good advice on how to do it!

Title: Re: Tail rust help please?
Post by: Baby Sugarberry on April 13, 2012, 12:51:30 PM

Don't use an exacto knife!
Cutting a pony's head off should be a *last resort*, not a first choice. See if it's loose already - most of the older G1's heads pop right off with a little pulling and tugging. Try starting at the back of the neck, by grasping the body firmly in one hand, and the pony's head in the other, pulling apart and twisting up a bit. If that doesn't work fairly easily, try the sides or front. If that still doesn't work, use a bit of acetone (CAREFULLY! Keep away from painted areas!) around the glue seam, repeat. You can also try hot water to soften the glue. If that still doesn't work, try dental floss dipped in acetone to help get through the initial part of the neck seam.

If you get a partial area opened but the rest is being stubborn, see if you can pop out the "lip" of plastic that holds head heads in firmly. A hemostat or metal handle, or needle nose pliers can be used to help lever up the head. You want to get behind the inner ring and pry from there, so it won't tear the plastic. Not all ponies require this, some come apart very easily.

Title: Re: Tail rust help please?
Post by: Elisto on April 13, 2012, 12:57:55 PM

Sugarberry, looks like you said what I was about to. I would suggest taking the head off of one with loose glue first to see what you're working with, if this one's head is still glued tight.

I also second toothpaste for removing rust, and if you can get inside, I'd get rid of the washer (assuming that's the rusty part). The tail will generally stay in place without one.

Title: Re: Tail rust help please?
Post by: hathorcat on April 13, 2012, 01:04:54 PM

Yes, toothpaste is great for getting the remainder of rust out of a tail....however before you get that far you need to decide if you are happy enough to remove her head as thats the only way to get at that washer! If you are not overly bothered by the rust then you should just leave her...she is your pony and its your collection you can leave her as you wish of course...however if you are confident enough then try the below...

Before you get as far as a knife... occasionally the glue holding the head in place can be softened and removed enough with acetone on a cotton bud/q-tip and warm water...or simply some determination...only resort to the nice if you have to and if you do make sure you gently break the seam and then pop the head off - dont cut all the way through the plug.

Then with a pair of tweasers and some determination pull the tail out...remove the rusted washer and metal clip [you ll probably need pliers for this]...scrub the tail with a toothbrush and allow to dry...in the meantime clean out the body of rust [you may as well when you have her head removed!] then secure the tail with a plastic clip and then using a ribbon/string to thread the tail back into the body...head back on [you can glue back into position if you wish or simply replace]

Good luck!

Title: Re: Tail rust help please?
Post by: Baby Sugarberry on April 13, 2012, 01:08:16 PM

Cotton Candy bravely volunteered for photo assists. ^.^
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Prying the head from side to side. Old glue seams are often easily "cracked" open this way, with no damage to the plastic.

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This is the inner ring you're trying to get under, don't make the mistake of sawing through the recessed middle ring between this and the head.

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A loose G1 head. There's some extra plastic flash around the base ring. Once you have a head off like this, they pop back on very easily with a little pushing and twisting, and are quite secure. As an added bonus, your pony's head is posable now too.

I highly recommend removing rusty washers/any loose rust if at all possible, because it can discolor right through the plastic, especially around the tail hole over time, and any further moisture will only make the problem worse. Removing the rust and rusty ring will ensure no more problems.

Title: Re: Tail rust help please?
Post by: Chi on April 13, 2012, 01:32:48 PM

I don't have much more info that hasn't been said but also soaking the tail in water and dawn soap for a while can help remove rust, along with the toothpaste already mentioned.
Here's a tutorial on how to replace the washer. :)
http://www.mlptp.net/tutorials/makingtails.html

Title: Re: Tail rust help please?
Post by: Ringlets on April 13, 2012, 07:09:58 PM

Tail rust looks nasty but it really isnt hard to get rid of. If the head is difficult to remove, heat it first with a hair dryer to soften the glue around the neck :awake:
Here is my rust removal tutorial visitors can't see pics , please register or login

You'll need to open your pony up and remove the ruust because otherwise it just gets worse, spreads through the body, comes out the mane plugs, and discolors the plastic evetually. Even a little rust could be a lotta rust inside ...take a look at this Snowflake...

Doesnt look bad right? visitors can't see pics , please register or login