Bringing G1 hair back to white?

[little.fox]

I've recently recieved a Milky Way with very yellowed hair, anything I can do to bring it back to white while protecting the blue streak?



~*Original question*~

Is it possible to attatch a replacement tail with the metal clip intact, or do I have to pry that off and attatch the tail with cable ties?

[mul-ta]

If I understand your question and assuming it's a standard HK/China pony, it's usually not too hard to pull the metal clip first through the tail hole, then through a suitably sized washer with the help of a string and a pair of pliers.

[Teddy]

Yes, you can certainly still keep the metal clip in place on the tail. Just takes a little force to get it through the tail hole.

[Whippycorn]

Yes. Unless it's super rusty I never remove the metal clip. I just push it through (sometimes helps to warm the pony's butt with hot water) and then secure with a cable tie or washer. 

[sd_dreamcrystal]

I can suggest two things to make it a little easier, but later down the road it may cause tail rust...

If you want to keep the clip on one suggestion is to run the pony under hot water before retailing, I never did from outside in with an original tail clip but I've done it with inside out. You can also wash the tail before hand and leave some conditioner in to make it easier as well (if doing it from inside out), or a combo of both.

[hathorcat]

As others have said yes it takes a little determination but the metal grip on a tail will go back in place. I would recommend one of the flexi plastic washers inside the pony - no risk of rust and also a little give/flexibility on the washer ensures that you can force the plastic grip through the centre as well.

[little.fox]

Thanks everyone, that's really helpful!

I feel like such a noob asking this, but I've never done any type of restorations before so never had a reason to look into it! My poor tail-less Chief will be happy to get his tail re-attatched!

[little.fox]

Another restoration question, if you don't mind!

[Stormness_1]

Is it rust, or yellowed with age? I'd try toothpaste, maybe a bicarb paste?

[little.fox]

It's not rust, it's yellowed with age..

[nhal039]

I remember cat posting some where that she uses lemon juice and sunlight to whiten hair but I cant remember if she dilutes the juice with water?

[hathorcat]

You essentially need to bleach it but because of the type of nylon it is regular bleaching chemicals can actually cause further yellowing unfortunately.

So lemon juice is perfect. Its a natural acid which works to bleach. You want to soak the hair in undiluted juice and then put it out in bright sunlight. You need to watch it very carefully. Exposure for too long will make the hair brittle so just keep an eye on it and dont leave it sitting out longer than need be.

[little.fox]

Thanks Cat, I will try and be brave enough to try it on my poor Milky Way..

[lovesbabysquirmy]

I've lightened my own hair with lemon juice.  Not surprising it works on ponies too!