Plush Eye Repaint

[StarlightHouseCollectible]

Hi there,

I have a question regarding a G1 Firefly Plush I recently got. 

As you can tell from the photo, her eyes are pretty badly scratched and I'm wondering if any one has any tips for repainting ?  I saw on the Pony Preservation Project website that a sharpie can be used to fill in the black area but I'm wondering if there is a better way or a way to fill in the colored area ? 

The only thing I can think of try is acrylic model paint ?

Any information would be greatly appreciated !

Thanks in advance,
Cameron

visitors can't see pics , please register or login

[Nonnavlis]

Like you say with the sharpie, I've filled some plush eyes in with black permanent marker. Not all permanent marker is a true black or will stick to plastic, though, so you need to test them on other things first (sharpies are usually actually slightly red/brown and only get redder/browner with age!). But I feel like it looks a lot more convincing than trying to brush paint on, other then in like super direct light where you can still see the difference a little.

I'm not sure if you couldn't get pale coloured permanent markers? I was content leaving the small marks in the coloured areas. You never seem to get marks as bad there because of the domed shape of the eyes.

[pinkkittywinks]

I say no to the marker! I used a marker to colour in a plushies eye and it faded to a really funny colour.

I would use black acrylic paint I use citadel and army painter model paints for my restorations and customs.

Love pkw xxx

[Griffin]

I second acrylic paint, several layers of thinned paint applied with a soft-bristled brush will give you smooth results. You can even try giving the paint a light sanding with very, very fine sandpaper between layers or polish it with a soft cloth if there are any brush strokes still visible.

[Karebearcntdwn]

I have to second others who have answered, acrylic paint is usually a pony restorers best friend.

[Blindfaith]

i would also say no to the marker / sharpie.

i use citadel paints from games workshop, ( Acrylic paints will do )
then when fully dry coat with a polyurethane matt varnish.

[Noxxbunny]

Since no one mentioned it, I would also say enamel paint. I've used that to restore plastic eyes on non-pony plush before. I use the gloss kind, so it shines with the rest of the eye. Just another thing to possibly look at, but as everyone else has said, acrylic works too.

[ponyqueen]

Good suggestions here! Don't forget to post "after" pictures!

[StarlightHouseCollectible]

Thanks so much for all the info everyone !

I agree that sharpie would be best suited for little nicks and scratches where as acrylic paint is probably the best bet with the major paint loss I'm dealing with.  Very helpful information for this first time pony restorer !

I will post after pics as soon as I can !

[Baby Sugarberry]

Be careful and proceed with caution with enamel paints - they're not safe for all types of plastic/materials, and the solvent for them is quite strong.  Personally I haven't tried them because cleaning up brushes for enamel is such a pain.  Make sure to adequately protect your working surface and wear clothing you don't mind ruining, because enamels are very difficult to remove.  The same should go for any time you're working with paint really, but at least acrylics clean up with water if you catch them before they dry.

[hathorcat]

I agree with acrylics as your best bet. However I would caution that for an even effect you are normally best to do the whole eye rather than a touch up. No matter what paint you use, on printed plastic like this it often struggles to look quite right.

[StarlightHouseCollectible]

Here are the after photos ! 

I ended up going with a gloss enamel (Testors brand) just because I wanted something a little more durable and didn't want to have to use a top coat of any kind.

I'm very happy with the result even though the enamel is a little glossier than the original eye.  I think a semi-gloss or perhaps mixing a gloss and matte enamel might have gotten a closer match to the original eye, but this is only noticeable upon close inspection and from even a foot away it's hard to tell the eyes have been repainted at all.  I may eventually try to color-match the other areas that are scratched on the eyes. 

I will also keep you posted should the enamel react with the plastic poorly over time, but at the moment I see no problem at all.

Thank you so much for your helpful suggestions everyone ! 

Cameron

BEFORE :
visitors can't see pics , please register or login


AFTER :

visitors can't see pics , please register or login

[Elisto]

Here's one I did with artist's acrylic and some kind of cheap craft enamel for the purple:
visitors can't see pics , please register or login