Removing Mechanisms From G2's

[Elfie]

I'm trying to expand my G2 collection.  I'm learning a lot about the ponies that came out overseas and such.  I'm not very fond of ponies with moveable parts (with the exception of wings so long as it doesn't look big and clunky...I like my flutter ponies just fine.), or with electronic mechanisms.  I think they're a great concept and all, but I prefer ponies that can be washed and bathed, and can go swimming.  I just discovered the Romantic Couple Ponies a couple of weeks ago.  I really like them, but then I find out that they have electronic mechanisms.  The nice thing is, they don't look too bad because of their mechanisms, and it's really unobtrusive.  I just now found a collector's inventory stating that the batteries are impossible to replace, and once they stop talking, then it's over with.  I was wondering, can you remove the mechanisms from the pony, and just make them straight up regular ponies?  I imagine if you can remove the mechanisms, you can replace the batteries too.  Just wondering.  If this is the case, then I'm more than willing to put them on my want list because I think they're pretty ponies.  I haven't ever popped off a G2's head before either.  In fact I know a lot about customizing and restoring G1's and G3's, and I've taken apart a G4 myself, but I don't see a whole lot about G2's.

[hilamb]

I havent heard anyone try this. I myself have the couple too, but i dont mind.

Ill bump this, since im kinda interested to hear, if anyone has done it succesfully. 

[TinyShinyUnique]

As far as I know, nobody had attempted to open them up - mostly because of fear of damaging the mechanism and because the Romantic ponies are quite sought after. I haven't heard of anyone opening them up to replace the batteries (I think it was even stated on the MOCs that the batteries weren't changeable) but maybe I'm wrong and someone will help you up with this...

The magic motion ponies from my childhood had been in the bath with me many times and they still work But yes, the ones with electronics I only wiped and not attempted to do any advanced cleaning. Popping their heads is quite easy though, especially after running a hot water over their heads/necks. 

[HoustonCollector72]

Would love to know too i have some of them too


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[LuckyTwirlerina]

I think I remember hearing in a thread from a while ago that there's no known way of removing the mechanisms from electronic G2s without mucking up the pony completely. I'm sure if there was a way to remove mechanisms there would also be a way to replace batteries and put them back in... none of which are possible as far as we know.

[hathorcat]

Yes unfortunately you cant take the mechanisms out or replace the batteries. Or to be more specific you can...but you will have to pretty much take the pony apart and destroy a section of it in the process.

You mention ponies going swimming, do you do that with G1s? Because if it does not bother you to do that with those ponies - which have tail washers and crimps - then I dont see any harm in it with some of those ponies either. Just make sure to dry them as completely as possible when they have finished having fun.

[Elfie]

Yes unfortunately you cant take the mechanisms out or replace the batteries. Or to be more specific you can...but you will have to pretty much take the pony apart and destroy a section of it in the process.

You mention ponies going swimming, do you do that with G1s? Because if it does not bother you to do that with those ponies - which have tail washers and crimps - then I dont see any harm in it with some of those ponies either. Just make sure to dry them as completely as possible when they have finished having fun.

I don't take my ponies swimming anymore, but I do wash them.  Taking them swimming was such an integral part of my childhood though, and I just have this mental prerequisite that ponies should be able to withstand water.  (I know...I'm weird.)  As for the magic motion ponies, and poseable ponies, I just don't like the way most of them look.     I'm curious why the mechanism can't be taken out if the head is popped off.  I imagine part of the mechanism is in the head of some ponies because they "kiss".  Is it glued in?  Or is the plastic actually molded to the soundboxes?  Do you mean it would destroy the pony in the process, or the mechanism?  I'm thinking of buying a couple of ponies whose sound boxes no longer work just to see if I can take em apart.  I'd like to see if I can find a source as to why they can't be taken apart, otherwise, I might just have to explore it myself, and take pictures to share.  My curiosity is getting the better of me now.

[hathorcat]

That makes sense Everyone has their own little quirks to collecting and what they like or don't like

The part you want to take out is in a large moulded section which is inside the pony - part inside the head and part inside the body. Essentially like a large plug connecting the two parts. It is a different bit of plastic to the actual body/head but most of them are glued or welded in place originally [but some hot water, pliers and brute strength will get it out but normally you end up breaking the part or ripping a little of the plastic on the pony]. You will get it out but you need to separate the head body a little and then try and get the large section of plastic out of the body but still with the head; then separate the head and the part. It is very easy for some of the moulded plastic to snap and leave getting it out much trickier. Once you get everything out, you are not getting it back in and, even though it is no longer working, that in itself is going to rapidly devalue the pony.   

If you are curious why not simply try it out? Finding a baity pony and testing it out may be the only way to satisfy your curiosity unfortunately. Most people do not want to remove the parts which make a pony original so you wont find lots of tutorials on it unfortunately.

[Elfie]

That makes sense Everyone has their own little quirks to collecting and what they like or don't like

The part you want to take out is in a large moulded section which is inside the pony - part inside the head and part inside the body. Essentially like a large plug connecting the two parts. It is a different bit of plastic to the actual body/head but most of them are glued or welded in place originally [but some hot water, pliers and brute strength will get it out but normally you end up breaking the part or ripping a little of the plastic on the pony]. You will get it out but you need to separate the head body a little and then try and get the large section of plastic out of the body but still with the head; then separate the head and the part. It is very easy for some of the moulded plastic to snap and leave getting it out much trickier. Once you get everything out, you are not getting it back in and, even though it is no longer working, that in itself is going to rapidly devalue the pony.   

If you are curious why not simply try it out? Finding a baity pony and testing it out may be the only way to satisfy your curiosity unfortunately. Most people do not want to remove the parts which make a pony original so you wont find lots of tutorials on it unfortunately.

Ah!  Ok!  thanks!  That answers a lot of questions.  Maybe if I can find a baity G2 pony I'll give it a shot, but we'll see as it seems that the romantic couples are really sought after.  If I do find a good opportunity to take one apart though, I'll definitely post pictures, and hopefully help save a lot of ponies in the process, and satisfy a lot of collectors' curiosity.

[Sparkle Pony]

I've been very curious about this too.  If you could show us some pictures, I would be very interested!