G1 How much of collection to keep, with impending plasticizer degradation???

[elphaba]

So, I'm an old fart and have the first 5-6 years of G1 MLP + playsets - not terribly interested in the rest. I love them, but realize that it freaks people out who are in my guest room for the first time. (Screw 'em!) A huge chunk of them are my own childhood ponies, which came back to me about 7 years ago in a huge blessing of good luck.

But man - one by one they are getting that sticky, gross plasticizer-coming-out feeling.

I've been thinning them out (the ones from later years that I had, but was just not THAT in love with - not enough to complete the set, for example) and that's been going ok but when I look back at the rest of them, I'm like: which of you do I love enough to WATCH YOU CRUMBLE ON MY SHELVES. HOW LONG DO YOU HAVE. It's depressing! But it doesn't make sense to buy that expensive chemical that one guy was selling, and then have to have someone repaint and rehair, only to do it again a few years later!

So... what's a pony lover to do? At what point do you say: goodbye, ladies! And then what - have a viking funeral pyre?!? I mean, once they've turned back into a petroleum sludge...

:-(

Sorry for the depressing post! But who else is thinking about this? It's like "when to put the dog down" or something. UGH. Help?

-elph

 

[Mlp Sunsparkle]

I think the ponies have got quite a while left they've lasted 30 years already, and there's still a lot of minty ones around. Personally, I don't see them melting any time soon. As for the plasticizer leakage, as far as I know they will just be rock hard once it has all leeched out. I think the plasticizer is what makes them soft and squishy.

To help the sticky ponies I would give them a scrub with dish soap and water (I use a toothbrush). Then just dry them off with a towel. Oh and be sure to dry the top of the tail if it gets wet to prevent rust If they become stick again just keep washing them. On your shelves I'd try and keep them a little apart (a couple cm), just in case the plasticizer stains the others. Make sure they're In a well ventilated area.

I hope this helps
I'm not an expert, so if anyone has anything to add or correct feel free. (This is from my own experience with sticky ponies).

 

[Elfpony]

MLP Sunsparkle has some great advice. With a little care there's no reason you can't keep enjoying your collection for years to come.

Elf

 

[Skycakes]

I heard its good to wash ponies when the plasticizer leaks out because they might get age spots or worse down the road. :/ I really cant check very well since they are all locked up in bins.

 

[MonsterIceCream]

I have a friend who soaks Barbie/doll heads in acetone to force the plasticizer out, and make the heads small and hard. (At least, I think that's what happening! It seems like a similar principle!) I think once a pony leaks out all of its plasticizer, it won't be a puddle, but merely a slightly smaller, very hard plastic pony. Plastic is a very poorly degrading material (so I've heard, since it's such a problem in the landfills!), so I think we've got decades and decades to enjoy our ponies, if not even longer!