Newbie questions

[svetilda]

I'm newbie to collecting ponies and have some questions. First of all I was wondering when you display ponies is it OK that they touch each other? Or you must keep some distance between them? And if they can touch each other on display why we must keep them wraped/packed separately when they're stored in boxes?

Why do plastic boxes preferred? What is wrong with cardbox if ponies in the box are kept in ziplocks?

TIA!

[mlp4me]

Squeeze as many as you can on a shelf together. It doesn't hurt them if they touch.
Plastic containers are a bit more durable for holding pony weight. And last a bit longer than a box for long term storage. However you choose to store is fine, it's more about the environment where they're kept over time vs the container. If you're going to bag them it's best to keep the baggie somewhat open and if you can get silica packets that helps too.

[Pheasant]

The reason that you don't want ponies touching one another in storage is because if they were being jumbled around (for example, if you were moving) their symbols may smear or leave marks on the other ponies. On display, they won't be moving around and as such won't have that problem. Certain hair dyes in the older generations may leak and stain your other ponies, too. While we're on the subject of wrapping ponies, never wrap them in newsprint, it'll leave the dyes all over them. I always found that plain white tissue paper worked best.

The downside to cardboard storage is that pests such as mice can chew through it, whereas with plastic they can't. Dampness is more likely to seep through cardboard than through plastic, too.

[Epona]

My favorite for storage are the 6"high 2'x3' storage bins. The ponies fit perfectly standing up without stacking them on top of each other. They slide under the bed and then dont get moved around or in the way, its nice and dark and dry.

If you use individual ziplock bags make sure they are open so moisture doesnt get trapped inside. There was another thread on here where they talked about plastic baggies, the plastic breaks down in them fast and they become sticky and can damage the ponies. They are supposed to be fine for short term storage.
For long term storage everyone says to use "Acid free" paper between ponies. You can get it at craft stores or online.

[ponyqueen]

On display I like to give ponies enough room so that their manes can fall naturally in all their splendor. Also, the flocking on so softs can get kinda smooshed if they're pressed up against something (like another pony) for a long time.

[svetilda]

Thank you, everyone!

I don't have that many ponies yet to keep them boxed but I was just wondering why we can squeeze them on display but need to separate them when ponies are boxed. So far I only have a few ponies (that I need to sell) that I keep in a cardbox mostly away from DH's eyes. The box is in our garage (we have an office there where all my ponies are) where we don't have any mice or insects.

Thank you for the box recommendation. I was looking for these boxes (in case I'll get more ponies) but so far can't find them anyway.

My favorite for storage are the 6"high 2'x3' storage bins. The ponies fit perfectly standing up without stacking them on top of each other. They slide under the bed and then dont get moved around or in the way, its nice and dark and dry.

It's what I do for now. But I only have 2 small shelves that my DH "gave" me for the ponies. Good thing is I mostly have baby ponies but I'll run out of the space eventually. Also sea ponies with their shells and floats take so much space!

On display I like to give ponies enough room so that their manes can fall naturally in all their splendor. Also, the flocking on so softs can get kinda smooshed if they're pressed up against something (like another pony) for a long time.

[goddessofpeep]

Ponies are usually fine touching each other, but there are some exceptions:

1) Ponies wearing saddles and bridles shouldn't touch other ponies as the saddles and bridles can stain.  They shouldn't be wearing those things for extended periods of time to begin with anyway.

2) Ponies with that Surprise green/yellow hair shouldn't let their hair touch other ponies.  I have found some ponies that have gotten stained from that color hair, and while it's highly unlikely that it could stain another pony, there is the tiniest of chances.

3) I don't let ponies with plastic issues(regrind, plasticizer sweating, etc) or any kind of mold(pony cancer, smooze, age spots) anywhere near my good ponies.  There's some debate as to how likely those conditions are to jump from pony to pony, but I don't risk it.  I have a quarantine box for just those ponies, and I'm not afraid to use it!

4) G3s and G4s don't have the same quality as the G1s and most of the G2s.  I don't trust their symbol paint as much as I do the earlier generations, so I would never let any part of a G3 touch another pony's symbol, or let two symbols touch.  I have never had a real problem with this, but again I wouldn't risk it.  Also, beware of the G3 playsets!  The paint on those WILL stick to ponies if given the chance.  If you display any G3 playsets with paint on the floor or on the wall, make sure there's something in between the pony and the paint.

Even if the ponies touching does not damage the ponies, be careful about sticking too many ponies together.  These are plastic, and they can get deformed from being squashed for a while.  I have a Lemondrop that is mostly flat on one side because I used to always put her on the far left of the shelf.  Ponies in storage bins can get bent legs, dents, and all manner of funkiness if you cram them in and leave them in there long enough.

Oh, and ponies don't do well in extreme heat, extreme cold, or extreme humidity.   Storing your ponies anywhere that they can be exposed to those kinds of weather conditions can cause entire sections of your collection to develop problems.  My parents stored my entire collection in the garage for a few months when I specifically told them not to.  They got the full Michigan summer(heat and humidity) and a chunk of Michigan winter(bitter cold).  Since then a lot of the ponies that were stored like that have developed problems.  I told them not to but they didn't listen. That decision has been a very costly one for me!

[svetilda]

Thank you, goddessofpeep!

I understand about saddles and bridles but what about baby necklaces? Will they stain baby's neck too?

[hathorcat]

Any plastic can stain any other plastic - especially in relatively cheap made products. I never display accessories on ponies but rather just beside them. However as long as you check things often enough you should be fine - the key is monitoring.

I am a paranoid person I dont display ponies pressed against one another because while the possibility is only so remote it is always possible for plastic pigments to stain other ponies. You just have to look at ponies like Seashell and Windy who loose their pigment in the plastic so easily. I also dont like the plastic pushing too tight in case it warps things a little.

However I know lots of people display them packed together without any problems at all so it certainly works Most people recommend packing away separately because once something is in storage you cant get to it, you cant check it and you cant monitor it. Also enclosing so much plastic in a small space will cause sweating issues and that can cause problems which would be more likely to cause plastic breakdown and colour transfer issues than when ponies are displayed on shelves in a well ventilated space.

As for the container - its 6 and half a dozen. As long as both are ventilated it makes no difference in that way. However as others have said plastic offers extra protection from damp, water and pesky pests.