In your book, how does restoration affect value?

[mlp4me]

A good quality restore still isn't the same as original condition in my eyes. I've restored a lot of ponies, and I'm OK with it. Restores don't really hold the same value as an original in the eyes of most even though it can take A LOT of work to bring a pony back to life...

[Noasar]

I think that if a restoration is done well it can actually add value. I can think of some restorations over done that are virtually indistinguishable from the original - repinking is the easiest thing to do and it can really improve the look of a pony.

I understand why some people don’t like it but for me it’s ok

I think with re-pinking, sometimes it doesn't look right. I can't seem to get the color formula right, myself, which is frustrating to me. I've seen lots of people post pics of re-pinked hair on here that looks spectacular, and I would have no problem with buying one of theirs, but if it looked as bad as the attempts I've made, I wouldn't buy it, either!

(Shameless off-topic plea: if anyone has the perfect color recipe, I'll love you forever if you feel like sharing it with me!)

I use Dr PH Marten’s ink in Persimmon and a few Rit dye granules in Petal pink. Mix a weak concentration in hot water - you can always add more if you need to - then dip for 5 seconds and rinse in cold water. Check the colour and dip again or add more ink/dye if you need to

Here’s some restorations for you that have definitely added value!

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[drusilla]

The way i collect i do NOT buy any pony or items that have been "touched" as in repinks, rehairs, painted, touched up symbols, eyes or anything. heads cut off as most times they no longer fit back together properly and you see a gap or knife marks. or anything else that changes a pony or item

to me that pony / item is no longer original at all or authentic.  as a buyer  i always ask before i buy something if anything has been done to the pony.

as sellers please make sure to disclose what has been worked on

i also believe that is affects the value big time. selling a re hair or modified pony should not sell for the same or more then the original pony

[LadyAmalthea]

Thank you, Noasar! I just looked and both products are available on Amazon. Going to order and give your method a try!

Also, your restorations are gorgeous...Diamond Dreams is absolutely stunning! You have definitely brought them new life.

[lovesbabysquirmy]

My opinion:
I don't think it hurts the value if it brings the pony back to a state where most collectors would be okay with displaying the pony.  Some flaws are just awful, like some of those Noasar restorations that have been shared.  That body grime, the rust, ugh!  Beautiful work, and I would pay the same prices as the originals in that condition. Obviously a MIB pony with perfect storage and no flaws is the best, but very rare.  So I am comfortable to pay the average loose price for that pony if someone has taken the effort to save it from truly terrible status.

But disclosure should be the #1 thing! 

[caseysealia]

i think restore should go for more since the time, energy and sometimes money adds up. i do think if the restore project looks identical to its original form it should be addressed somewhere that it was a restore, so someone who's LF specific conditions is aware

[Minty_Magic]

For me it really depends on a lot of things, like the skill of the restore, what flaws were restored, and the rarity of the pony. In general, I prefer original to restored.

For rare/htf ponies, I would probably pay more for a nicely restored one over a trashed bait one, just because I know I’m not all that skilled at fixing major flaws. However, I still wouldn’t pay as much as I would if the pony was all original.

For more common ponies, I’d rather have them with the flaws. A lot of my own collection came from thrift stores and most flaws don’t really bother me. Only things like severe head/body mismatch, buzz cuts, and large highlighter or marker spots really turn me away. I actually love haircuts because it gives my ponies some personality!

Sometimes for rare ponies I’ll actively seek them out with flaws like haircuts, because it might be the best way for me to afford them!

If someone is going to rehair a pony, I actually prefer alternate rehairs to trying to match the original hair. At that point it’s a custom in my eyes anyway, so may as well have some fun with it!

I agree with others that disclosing the fact it’s a restore somewhere on the pony is important as well