The MLP Arena
Pony Talk => Pony Corral => Topic started by: Artsy Craftsy on June 01, 2012, 07:20:01 PM
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So my parents came down to visit me (they live 5 hours away) and I asked them to bring my bin of my MLPs and old toys. I was so excited to see my old friends again!
So I started unpacking them, they had been kept in plastic bags to make sure no mice or anything got to them. I was really excited, taking them out and remembering which ones were my favorites and when I got them.
But then, I become so overwhelmed with grief after each bag I opened...
All of their manes and tails had gotten frizzled and matted, their bodies slightly warped out of shape from sitting on top of each other for so long, and they were all covered in smooze....
I just sat and cried. My best friends that got me through all the bullying I went through, through all my parents fights and having to move when I was young... I felt I'd abandoned them... They were there for me all these years, but now they lay on my craft room floor, a total mess... Every single pony I got as a child was from the thrift store, so they never were perfect to begin with, but I don't remember them being in such bad condition...
I'll post pics later, I'm just so upset right now...
[nudging this over to the Pony Corral for you so you can get some cleaning tips. *hugs* kiwimlp :) ]
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Sweetie, these friends who saw you through still much, that you love so much, are still with you. You went and got them out again which is more than what most people can say! Post pics and share them with us, and we'll help talk you through what you can do to make all your friends the best they can be again. No matter what shape they're in, they're still yours, and they're still with you <3
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Well you're just going to have to tidy them up and make them gorgeous again then show us how you did :)
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I always feel happy when I'm prettying up a pony. By giving a pony another chance at life and beauty, you're giving yourself another chance too. Show them you love them by making them beautiful once again. :ohyeah:
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You can make them pretty again! Even with that smooze!
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You can coax their shape back the way it was meant to be and unless their hair is very bad, frizzyness can be tamed as well. Smooze will take some love but can be cured. Just think of what you get to give back to your old friends now! What kissthethunder said is absolutely true, there are many very skilled restoration experts here who can help you treat your ponies. Just post pictures.
What probably happened is that you are now looking at them with adult eyes. Children don't tend to notice or care as much about dirtiness or the collectible condition of their plastic friends. They see past that to the important parts... the love and friendship in them. I got Applejack when I was 5 or 6 and he and I had the same sort of relationship you clearly had with yours. He is coated in smooze, lost his tail decades ago, had his apples faded to orange, dry ends on his mane and rubs on his eye paint. But I consider these to be like badges of honour. He got that way because he was with me throughout everything life threw at me. All that "playwear" is proof of what a good friend he always was, and still is now. It sounds like your friends have similar badges!
I'd love to see pictures of your little heroes. Here's mine if it helps...
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And why he looks so grey...
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One of the first things I did when I connected with the online pony community back in the 90's was trade for a replacement tail for him. It felt wonderful! So trust me when I tell you that cleaning your friends will feel fantastic.
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Aw honey, that must have felt awful. It's amazing what you can do to restore a pony though, I'm sure that you can fix them up though. I did a restore on my childhood AJ and she looks awesome now too.
Cleaned, but with a bald butt:
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And after!
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Good luck cleaning up your ponies. There's lots of great restoration info in the Corral, I'm sure you can find anything you need. And if you need advice, we're all here to help you out. :hug:
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I know some of how you feel, I lived in a bad place when I was really little and just before we moved away one of the neighbor girl stole my special new doll, I had to leave her in that horrible place. Years ago I found the exact same kind of doll in a thrift store in HORRIBLE shape. I bought her for $1.50 and took her home, cleaned her up and made her lovely clothes. It was very theraputic for me. Like I wasn't just repairing her, but repairing the part of my soul that hurt from those dark years. People here can help you fix anything on a pony, even turn it into a 3-headed sea dragon or something.
I'm sorry that you had to feel that pain :( I hope you feel better soon. Let us know which ones you have, lots of us salvage tails from old ponies.
Good luck!
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Aw, that sucks. Try conditioning their manes. For the smooze/pindot mold, wash the affected area with hot water, put antibactirial soap on it, and scrub with either a steal brush, or your fingernails. Then, dry them.
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Sweetie, your post made me so sad. I can imagine how upset you must be. At least you still have your girls though and now you can set about making them beautiful again :hug:
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:hug: I recently found my childhood Raincurl and she was in bad condition too; gray and frizzy and grimy. But she cleaned up very well and I love having her in my colle ton. :)
The important thing is that you have your childhood friends back and they can be loved and enjoyed again. There are tons of tutorials here that can teach you how to get your ponies looking lovely again and I'm sure you'll have them looking lovely in no time.
Congrats on finding thm! :)
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my poor girls were in *horrible* shape, but the only thing truly permanent was fading. Hair can be tamed or replaced, smooze can be treated, ink can be sunfaded, symbols can be repainted, even missing pieces can be repaired with sculpy!
Don't give up on them, they just need lots of love and care, and they have you for that. :)
Start with magic eraser and give them a good cleaning(go around painted spots or be very gentle!), you may be surprised what happens! :D
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Nurse them back to shape. They'll love you for it.
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Don't feel bad about it. Ponies clean up marvelously.
I think they may just be sporting the battle scars of being well-loved. There are many useful tutorials on this site for cleaning ponies. Sure they may look a little scary right now, but I think they will turn out just lovely after you clean them.
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Take some photos for us, it may look a daunting task but we can all talk you through it :)
As has been said, ponies clean up really well, so please don't be too disheartened! Ponies are toys and that they aren't in mint condition shows how well-loved they were :)
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You guys are so amazing! :cry: I feel so much better from hearing all your kind and thoughtful words!
I have to go to my grandpa's birthday today, but when I can tonight I'll be taking photos to post here! I have quite a few so it might take a little bit :)
Again, thank you all so much! I know I can fix my friends up!
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*pony hugs* Yep, the "adult eyes" really change how you remember toys. :) But don't worry!
Check out these links of restored ponies - if these people can clean up THESE ponies, I bet yours will be gorgeous with a bit of effort and time!
Restoration and Major Cleaning Threads:
http://mlparena.com/mlp/index.php/topic,284896.0.html
http://mlparena.com/mlp/index.php/topic,288488.0.html
http://mlparena.com/mlp/index.php/topic,288066.0.html
http://mlparena.com/mlp/index.php/topic,290518.0.html
http://mlparena.com/mlp/index.php/topic,294142.0.html
http://mlparena.com/mlp/index.php/topic,294778.0.html
http://mlparena.com/mlp/index.php/topic,294558.0.html
http://mlparena.com/mlp/index.php/topic,295640.0.html
http://mlparena.com/mlp/index.php/topic,296298.15.html
If you get lost or stuck, just post pics and we are glad to help you!
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*hugs* It sounds like your ponies have honorable battle damage from turning real.
The Skin Horse had lived longer in the nursery than any of the others. He was so old that his brown coat was bald in patches and showed the seams underneath, and most of the hairs in his tail had been pulled out to string bead necklaces.
"What is REAL?" asked the Rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender, before Nana came to tidy the room. "Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?"
"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."
"Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit.
"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt."
"Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?"
"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."
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More pony hugs!!!!!!!! And some kitty snuzzles from my Lily Blossom.
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Ack.. the Velveteen Rabbit always makes me cry. I have a bunny like that.
Anyway.. It'll be ok. You can certainly nurse them back into shape. Conditioner and soap and water can work wonders. If you're talking about the smooze that looks like blackheads, that can be removed too. When you get 'round to getting pics, I'm sure the pony experts here can guide you to all you need to know to make them the best they can be!
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I absolutely agree with what everyone said :) My childhood ponies were in a rough spot after having been played with for years but then I checked out some tutorials here and my ponies just transformed from ugly ducklings into beautiful swans :) Some still have issues though, like cut hair etc, but that makes them that more special ^^
Think of this as giving back to your ponies, they will be so happy to be with you and made pretty again :)
Oh, and just to share one of my cases, here is my childhood Streaky. She was filthy, her mane curls were gone and she had a mane trim :( Then i decided to clean her up and try a curling method someone posted here on the Arena, and voila! :)
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*hugs* It sounds like your ponies have honorable battle damage from turning real.
The Skin Horse had lived longer in the nursery than any of the others. He was so old that his brown coat was bald in patches and showed the seams underneath, and most of the hairs in his tail had been pulled out to string bead necklaces.
"What is REAL?" asked the Rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender, before Nana came to tidy the room. "Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?"
"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."
"Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit.
"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt."
"Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?"
"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."
*sniffles* The Velveteen Rabbit always makes me cry. But I think of it whenever I see an old loved toy (like my husband's little stuffed dog, "Nook." who is on his 3rd nose, has holes in his face, and his fur is all nappy. He is one of the rattiest, most loved toys I've ever seen and still sleeps in bed with us lol)
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:hug:
Well done, whoever quoted the Velveteen Rabbit - such a lovely story (and a tearjerker!!)
I'd like to share "Jack", my childhood Powder - much abused, but still loved. (The photo is a bit fuzzy but it shows all the stains and icky on his poor body)
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Don't be sad... I'm sure they'll clean up beautifully, and taking ponies to the salon always makes me happy. :)
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Aww I am sorry, that mist have been very upsetting :( I am sure you will be able to clean them up, and even if you can't make them perfect again they will still be the ponies you loved and cherished as a kid :hug: xxx
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I want to be encouraging, so I dug up some before and after pics of what ponies can become with a little TLC <3
Before, Cupcake :(
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AFTER
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Quackers Before :(
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Quackers AFTER :D
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*hugs* I'm sure they'll clean up wonderfully. And even if they have some physical flaws, that just shows how much you loved them as a child. They'll always be your childhood ponies and will have those good memories associated with them. I would give much of my adult collection to be reunited with my childhood ponies, warts and all.
*resumes sniffling over The Velveteen Rabbit*
Elf
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As others have said its true that our adult eyes on our childhood ponies often show flaws we were never worried about when younger.
However, that being said definitely don't let it get you down! People on here are packed full of useful tips about restoration and with some pictures hopefully we can all point you in the right direction of how to fix them up! Good luck and good for you getting those ponies out of storage so you can enjoy them again.
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Now it's your turn to love, nurture and take care of them. Just like they did for you. I wish you the best of luck, I'm sure they'll be gorgeous after some TLC.
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Yes, just clean them up. It will be OK, and probably a lot of fun for you! Restoring a beloved toy can feel like therapy, at least it does to me. <3
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*HUGS* All I can think is maybe you have a project now, and when they're all fixed up all nice you can be proud of them again. :D
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Aright, be prepared for my onslaught of photos x_x
For the most part, they are grimey and their manes/tails are frizzy or matted. Some I -think- have smooze and some have marks that were there before I got them (again, these were all second hand). Is there a way to clean the fuzzy ponies? One of them has pen marking on it :\ Any advice or help would be really appreciated!!! You guys have been so awesome and supportive! Thank you so much!!!
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wow there are some gems in there! they really don't look too bad! Go over them with a magic eraser and condition/comb out their hair and see how you feel :)
If you need to ID any of them, try this website. http://www.kimsites.net/dreamvalley/id_intro.html
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MLPTP How To Clean a So Soft Pony (http://www.mlptp.net/tutorials/brsscleaning.html)
Good luck with your restorations and keep us updated as you bring these beauties back to life!
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They look very fixable to me! I am sure with a little TLC they will look great again. <3
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Those are in very nice condition - looks like most of them need a quick scrub with dish soap and a washcloth. :D The hair is the longest part of the process but they all look fine. Cold water and conditioner...
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They don't look as bad as I thought they would! In fact, this is how most of my G1s look like (to lazy to clean them). They'll clean up quickly.
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Aw, looks like you have some real treasures in there (I spy a crown clip.). I think they should clean up pretty well with soap, water, magic eraser and conditioner for the hair. Just be careful with the so sifts - use only cold water and be gentle. :)
And let us know how they turn out! :)
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Thanks everypony! I have wedding planning right now so I'll see how much I can get done :P
two other questions: for the plush, would I just do conditioner and cold water on her mane? and 2, how would I get them back into shape? some of them got a tad warped and won't stand properly now... any suggestions?
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Wow, so many pretty ponies! They really aren't at all that bad :O
What I´d do personally is I´d wash each one of them with soap + shampoo + conditioner (for the hair ofc :) ), comb through their hair carefully while conditioner is still in. If they are really grimy, take a used toothbrush and scrub them with it (be careful around painted areas).
after you´ve given them this basic treatment see who has marks/smooze that haven't come off and go over those with a magic eraser (again, be very careful around symbols/eyes/blush). for the ones with pen marks, those can be sunfaded (the only way unfortunately). in that case be sure to check out some of the sunfading tutorials.
As for the fuzzy ones (so softs :) ) you can use same soap/shampoo/conditioner as with others, just, as said above use cold water and be gentle.
Oh and after washing any pony, try to squeeze as much water from their tail hole as you can (or even leave them to dry with their tail hole looking downwards) so as to make sure they get dry on the inside.
It seems most of these ponies really just need a bit of cleaning, but some might require more :) We recently had a topic on someone who got squished ponies and (s)he got some good tips so if you have disfigured ponies, try to find that topic (on Pony corral).
good luck!
EDIT: hehe, posted at the same time ^^ I found the link about squished ponies, hopefully some of it will be applicable to yours
http://mlparena.com/mlp/index.php/topic,296330.0.html (http://mlparena.com/mlp/index.php/topic,296330.0.html)
I've never washed plushies myself so I´ll just let someone else answer your question about her :)
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Plushies - stick her in a pillowcase and wash in cold/cold. Dry on AIR DRY - very crucial NOT to use heat in the dryer with thier hair... Style hair as with regular ponies.
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Oh my gosh XD All that hype and I was expecting a disaster!! These are gorgeous and will clean up amazingly!! My advice for the hair it to get a spray bottle, fill it with warm water and little biot of conditioner, mix it well, and saturate the hair with it. Comb, shape, let dry. That sparkle Baby gusty looks to have tail rust though, and thats hard to fix on sparkle babies :(
But gee wiz, you have a lot of lovely girls!! I bet some soap and a tooth brush, pat dry with a towel would spruce most of them right up :)
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OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! Wow, you've got some AWESOME stuff in there! And I agree a Magic Eraser will do wonders. I THINK it's mostly just grime. Just be careful on sparkly symbols...can't wait to see these cleaned up!
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Wow, you have some amazing ponies! Considering how old they are, how much you probably played with them, and how long they've been in storage, they actually look amazing. Those beauties will clean up really well. Your ponies with the fading pink hair still have pink hair too, which is incredible. I think a good bath and conditioner treatment will do wonders for your ponies.
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I agree with most of the people above, magic eraser does the trick or melamine foam. Usually I lightly scrub with a foam that is lighly wet at one edge actross the pony, the foam really does the trick if you can't get the rest of the smooze out. I had a horrid north star covered in smooze and after treating her several times and scrubbing I tried the foam instead, worked like a charm! :)
As for the hair, I usually wet it under hot water and then condition it then slowly combs it and after that I rinse it. If the tails are covered in rust I put some soap on them and scrub with a nail brush, then put conditioner in it.
Gotta say, I envy your very pretty TE's. :heart:
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I'm so glad that these are considered "great condition" :cry: I didn't mean to cause a fuss! I just felt I had mistreated them...
Like I said, I'll be sure to take more pics once I get them cleaned up! I think I'm going to start with the faded Speedy just to try things out since it's the only duplicate I have that's not a baby. Then I'll clean the brighter Speedy since that's the very first MLP ever owning :)
You guys are so amazing!!! <3 thank you all!!!!
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They look in great condition - nothing a quick brush and spruce wont fix! You have some fantastic ponies in there and those So Softs look in amazing condition as well!
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they look to be in amazing condition! :) but i totally know how you feel, it can be very heart wrenching to see the friends that got you such hard times in any other condition than pristine *hug*
i think the suggestions of the basic cleaning first would be the best place to start. a gentle wash with a mr. clean magic eraser, some condtioner in wet hair and a gentle combing and go from there. for the bent out of shape ones i know there are tutorials as have been posted for warmin them up and repositioning them.
but i think your herd is amazing, some very nice and gorgeous ponies in there that should clean up really well. :) they look a lot better than most of my herd lol
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Happy to help - we love seeing ponies being made all pretty again! :) Don't forget to share pics with us.
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Another thing you could use on the hair is detangler. If you're persistent, it can help control frizz. :)