Best way to deal with tail rust... thoughts?

[Artemesia's Garden]

Thanks for the replies! Does anypony have any pics of rusted tail clamps? Thanks in advance!

[SkyCakes]

The clamps can be taken out?

They can be removed, it takes some serious muscle power and good pliers though, two pairs.  Basically you hang onto the clamp with one set of pliers (clamping needlenose if you have them work great) and then you bend the edges of the clamp open with the other.  The clamp itself is a 'C' shape with the ends of the 'C' curled inwards.  It's best to secure the tail hair in some way first so it doesn't all go flying everywhere, temporary zip ties work well.  Don't forget proper protective gear!

I second that pliers work very good I always have a set lying around.

[hathorcat]

Thanks for the replies! Does anypony have any pics of rusted tail clamps? Thanks in advance!

Its not something I have ever taken pictures of unfortunately. But a quick dig and the below couple of links show some rusting. Hopefully someone has something better and clearer for you.

http://ponycustoms.com/394/my_little_pony_restoration/pony-restoration-project-sky-rocket/
http://www.mlptp.net/tutorials/igcleaning.html

Hope that helps.

[Artemesia's Garden]

Thank you yes, but funnily enough I got my first heavily corroded clamp yesterday! The pony is a Euro Baby Lickety Split... I will update when I get back from holiday and see whether I'll remove it

[kasin]

When cleaning pony insides I sometimes fill them with boiling water and 1/2 a denture tab and let sit in the sink over night..... makes cleaning the legs out a little easier later but they will smell like mint. Ill also do boiling water and oxi clean if they have pin dot mold (mold and rust often go together)

I NEVER EVER take out the clamp and would be upset if I bought a pony that had the clamp taken out. Please disclose this in sales or trades.

And yes, I second not putting a washer back on and just letting the tail be loose. I save the washers, but don't put them on the pony again. As a display item it doesn't matter.

~ Diana

[Artemesia's Garden]

When cleaning pony insides I sometimes fill them with boiling water and 1/2 a denture tab and let sit in the sink over night..... makes cleaning the legs out a little easier later but they will smell like mint. Ill also do boiling water and oxi clean if they have pin dot mold (mold and rust often go together)

I NEVER EVER take out the clamp and would be upset if I bought a pony that had the clamp taken out. Please disclose this in sales or trades.

And yes, I second not putting a washer back on and just letting the tail be loose. I save the washers, but don't put them on the pony again. As a display item it doesn't matter.

~ Diana

Agreed on clamps! Like your Fairy Tale Birds