Metal Tail washers

[DaffyDilly]

I'm curious!

If you are cleaning a pony, do you always remove the existing metal tail washer and clamp regardless of whether the pony is rusty?

Personally if it's not rusty, I leave it well alone. I keep the tail out of the pony to allow it to dry properly so it won't rust.

[NovelNerd]

Yes, but half the time my ponies have a rusty washer anyway. I typically remove it since I'm already in there might as well keep future issues from occurring.

[lovesbabysquirmy]

I replace if they have issues with it, but otherwise I leave it alone.  Unfortunately, most of my thrift store finds have needed replacement.  I'm not going to start keeping them in storage conditions which would harbor rust. 

[Juri]

I dont remove or replace, but then again if a pony hasnt had its head off before I dont remove while cleaning... Im so bad at trying to get the heads of!

[SkyCakes]

For me honestly. I dont wan't anything bad to happen to my ponies. So I replace it with zip ties. boiling water does wonders for getting a stubborn head off.

[Saber-Toothed Crow]

I leave the washers in mine unless they've already started to rust. I just shove a paper towel in there to get as much water out as I can, then leave it to air dry for a few days. I like to keep a pony as original as I possibly can, but if the metal bits are rusted they're getting replaced with zip ties.

[hathorcat]

In all honesty I always try to do as little as possible to my ponies - I wont even pop their heads off if they have no obvious issues but thats a personal choice as I like to keep them as "original" and sealed as possible. A good wipe down and a brush is what most get - mind you I mostly collect via other collectors so normally ponies are in reasonable condition.

So my answer to your question [after my above waffle] is yes I leave washers and clamps in place if there is no rust

[Sarah-Bee]

I only remove mine if I'm removing the tail to fix tail rust.

And while we're on the subject: WHY WHY WHY did Hasbroken use METAL for tail washers knowing what kids are like for playing with toys in water and outside??? stupid Hasbroken!

[Baby Sugarberry]

Because for the price, ferrous metal is the cheapest and strongest thing you can get that'll hold a tail in place properly, I'd imagine.  If you think tail washers are illogical, reflect a moment on the fact that adult sea ponies had metal weights in their tails, and were DESIGNED to go in the bathtub.   

[Enolaalone]

If I am already removing the washer, I remove the metal clamp as well, even though it's a pain and then hair tends to go everywhere. But just because I think if one has gone rusty the other might too. Otherwise I leave well alone because I don't want to spend hours trying to get their heads off.

[hathorcat]

I only remove mine if I'm removing the tail to fix tail rust.

And while we're on the subject: WHY WHY WHY did Hasbroken use METAL for tail washers knowing what kids are like for playing with toys in water and outside??? stupid Hasbroken!

To torment collectors...

[Sarah-Bee]

I only remove mine if I'm removing the tail to fix tail rust.

And while we're on the subject: WHY WHY WHY did Hasbroken use METAL for tail washers knowing what kids are like for playing with toys in water and outside??? stupid Hasbroken!

To torment collectors...

They succeeded!

[Echan]

I'd leave them in if they weren't rusted BUT THEY ALWAYS ARE! Grrrr. I usually replace them with a new metal washer, because I think tails come out too easily without one. Not that my ponies would be played with anymore, but I feel more comfortable knowing the tails are properly re-attached. 

[kittybethy]

I remove it if it is rusty, and I usually replace it with twine.

  However, if the metal is still shiny, I will leave it!