Condition of neck seal

[Corona]

Prefer them to be loose. Even though I live in a very arid area I'm still paranoid of icky things living inside my ponies.

[Artemesia's Garden]

Prefer them to be loose. Even though I live in a very arid area I'm still paranoid of icky things living inside my ponies.

This is how I feel - I want to catch any problems early or prevent them

[josiekat]

Hmmm. I've never really thought about it before. lol

[Tirac]

It depends on the condition of the rest of the pony.
If the neck seal is perfect but the tail is all rusty and the inside is gross I am going to open the pony.
I NEVER re-glue. That only makes a mess.

[Artemesia's Garden]

Now going off topic but just to say that Gusty's rusty bit is improving as is Cherries Jubilee's yellow mark. Using hot water and magic eraser.

[Sugar]

Is there an "other" tab?   I don't really mind if the neck seal is compromised, not even if the vinyl is damaged... though I prefer they not be resealed (I still like the option to check that nothing nasty is developing within).

[PandoraFox]

I don't mind any loose heads, as long as people didn't rip up half the neck to do so. (And even then I might be prone to seeing what can be fixed. I'm a sucker for restore jobs I suppose.)
Most of the ponies I get are grubby and I have to do a lot of cleaning, so it's not like I don't pop most heads off myself anyways.

I do like the head to fit back on nicely.
Having to use a knife to cut the glue (I try not to, but sometimes I see no other option really), tends to make the glue look choppy and the seal very obvious, so if that is the case I'll grab some acetone and smooth it out until he head fits back on nicely again.
I suppose that's taking them further away from original as well, but it certainly helps their look. I've even had one pony where I honestly thought I'd nicked the vinyl, but it turned out to be another layer of glue instead, as the nick magically disappeared when I was smoothing out the neckline.

[Artemesia's Garden]

Having to use a knife to cut the glue (I try not to, but sometimes I see no other option really), tends to make the glue look choppy and the seal very obvious, so if that is the case I'll grab some acetone and smooth it out until he head fits back on nicely again.
I suppose that's taking them further away from original as well, but it certainly helps their look. I've even had one pony where I honestly thought I'd nicked the vinyl, but it turned out to be another layer of glue instead, as the nick magically disappeared when I was smoothing out the neckline.

This is a good tip   

[Artemesia's Garden]

It's really great to see so many replies to the poll. Now I'm wondering about Aleene's tacky glue. Some heads don't sit that well without glue even though not damaged  so I'm tempted to give it a go.

What I'd like to know is, how hard is it to get heads back off again if you seal them with this stuff? I imagine it's fairly easy with hot water? If so it might be a good option.

But is it truly archival? Everyone recommends it but how long have the community been using it? Does it ever soften and go sticky again or cause discoloration?

[hathorcat]

I would use a basic model glue as they are designed to be used on similar projects but you would need to check to make sure you were happy with it.

There have been pony collectors about for a very long time and at the end of the day G1 ponies have had glue on their neck for the last 30 years or so Glue of any kind will break down over time and in different conditions. Removing a head again will be much the same as removing it under original conditions - it will depend on the glue, the plastic, how its set and the general condition the pony has been stored in.

My only one recommendation is try to avoid superglue - superglue is really aggressive and will melt some plastics over time.

[Sugar]

My only one recommendation is try to avoid superglue - superglue is really aggressive and will melt some plastics over time.

Melty plastic?  Urgh!

Thank you for the warning!  I have a Bright Bouquet to rehead and was wondering what to use... now I know not to use this.

[Artemesia's Garden]

at the end of the day G1 ponies have had glue on their neck for the last 30 years or so

And it seems like only yesterday...

I think another experiment is called for, will let you know how it goes. Would be good to get together a list of UK brand products that people know work/are safe for restoration (Dawn Dish and Aleen's Tacky Glue can be bought from amazon over here but y'know). I have been reading the websites of people obsessed with valeting cars and boats and it's brought up some interesting ideas about looking after vinyl generally, I also have a contact at the V&A so I might try there