Caring for Custom Ponies

StormMaeker

StormMaeker

Blank Flank, Pony Thrifter
Joined
Jun 16, 2020
Messages
2,223
I am currently repainting my OC custom, Atmos Lazuli. The sealant I used on them has gone pretty sticky and it got worse during the heatwaves this year. Dust got stuck on them and I couldn’t get it off with a normal clean even when they weren’t that sticky and I don’t think I sprayed my matte acrylic sealant too close either.

When I tried cleaning the stickiness off them during those heatwaves, some of the paint came off. I put off fixing until now but now I think it’s time to remove the paint for a new coat. Upon further inspection, they look pretty filthy and dust damaged too. I am not redoing the eyes though, those were way too tricky to do for me
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Now Atmos is looking like a zombie so far

What sort of sealant's would be best for customs? Does anyone have any tips for keeping customs looking fresh? I enjoy taking Atmos out for photos and I know customs aren’t the best for travel but any tips?
I’ve seen Mr Super Clear is usually recommended for dolls but does that eventually get tacky over time too?
 
Skybreeze recommended mr super clear matte spray. I’ve been using that. When the temperature went over 100 F this year a few of my custom ponies from various people did get tacky. However, none of mine or the ones from Skybreeze got tacky, so I still recommend it. I’ve had some from her that are a few years old. I also have some from @Ology that have never gotten tacky and I have had them, 5 years I think? I’m pretty sure that she used mod podge. @LightningMana-MLPcustoms customs and the others from pros didn’t get tacky either and they’re 7 years for some. I bet @starbritesprinkles would know, too.
 
I use the duraclear polyurrthane sealers in the satin and gloss finishes, i've never had issues with stickiness using them and my oldest custom is 7yrs old
 
It definitely sounds like I’m having an issue with the sealant. Thank you @Tak and @vampyrefay for your input!

I think I have some modpodge actually in the cupboard but maybe I should look into some sprays still. I used to seal stuff years ago with PVA glue but I know that’s not a good idea anymore, that stuff is turning yellow
 
StormMaeker said:
It definitely sounds like I’m having an issue with the sealant. Thank you @Tak and @vampyrefay for your input!

I think I have some modpodge actually in the cupboard but maybe I should look into some sprays still. I used to seal stuff years ago with PVA glue but I know that’s not a good idea anymore, that stuff is turning yellow
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I had this same problem! I had a bunch of unfinished customs I never sealed and they collected ENDLESS dust. I had to run them under water which i wouldnt recommend but I managed to save them and remove dust. They were horrendously tacky tho. I also sealed them with matte modpodge and I havent had any issues since. I live in the south so it gets extremely humid. What you do is up to you! <3 Just adding my input. :D
 
So Mod Podge isn’t a great option because it does yellow over time, some finishes can also peel over time.

I always highly recommend MSC it’s a pricey finishing coat but it’s worth the money and I find you use a lot less of it.

As already @starbritesprinkles recommended, Testor’s Dullcote is a close second to MSC.

When you apply your sealing coat it’s super important to do it in a temperature controlled environment. Best results in temps of 10°-20°c (50°-68°F) this allows the sealant to cure properly and moving forward it should not be effected by any humidity.
 
Skybreeze said:
So Mod Podge isn’t a great option because it does yellow over time, some finishes can also peel over time.
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Ohhh :0 Good to know! Mine hasnt yellowed or peeled, so good for that lol. Hmm I dont know if I could afford MCR ill have to do research on other good brands.. but also... i hate to use aerosol cans. o_O Ive heard some these days are made without negative emissions tho!
 
strawberrypony32 said:
Ohhh :0 Good to know! Mine hasnt yellowed or peeled, so good for that lol. Hmm I dont know if I could afford MCR ill have to do research on other good brands.. but also... i hate to use aerosol cans. o_O Ive heard some these days are made without negative emissions tho!
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MSC isn’t too spendy on Amazon ;) I did get a sale though.
starbritesprinkles said:
I use Testors Dullcote and know that Mr. Super Clear is a favorite of many other customizers. It's probably an even split down to personal preference and product availability.
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Thank you!
Skybreeze said:
So Mod Podge isn’t a great option because it does yellow over time, some finishes can also peel over time.

I always highly recommend MSC it’s a pricey finishing coat but it’s worth the money and I find you use a lot less of it.

As already @starbritesprinkles recommended, Testor’s Dullcote is a close second to MSC.

When you apply your sealing coat it’s super important to do it in a temperature controlled environment. Best results in temps of 10°-20°c (50°-68°F) this allows the sealant to cure properly and moving forward it should not be effected by any humidity.
Click to expand...
thank you! I didn’t know about the modge podge, so I’ll have to watch those ponies
 
Skybreeze said:
So Mod Podge isn’t a great option because it does yellow over time, some finishes can also peel over time.

I always highly recommend MSC it’s a pricey finishing coat but it’s worth the money and I find you use a lot less of it.

As already @starbritesprinkles recommended, Testor’s Dullcote is a close second to MSC.

When you apply your sealing coat it’s super important to do it in a temperature controlled environment. Best results in temps of 10°-20°c (50°-68°F) this allows the sealant to cure properly and moving forward it should not be effected by any humidity.
Click to expand...
Thank you for your input, I had no idea about temperature controlled spaces. I knew to make it airy though
starbritesprinkles said:
I use Testors Dullcote and know that Mr. Super Clear is a favorite of many other customizers. It's probably an even split down to personal preference and product availability.
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Thank you, another brand to keep an eye out for! I didn’t actually know about that one

It sounds like mod podge goes the same way as PVA glue. I kind of thought they were the same anyway, probably just similar.

I’ve tried finding these brands on Amazon (UK one) but no luck just yet. Maybe just not yet in stock. I’ll find a way I’m sure
 
StormMaeker said:
Thank you, another brand to keep an eye out for! I didn’t actually know about that one
I’ve tried finding these brands on Amazon (UK one) but no luck just yet. Maybe just not yet in stock. I’ll find a way I’m sure
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Testors Dullcote is pretty good, I’ve found that it takes 2 or 3 more coats than Mr Super Clear does, but it’s also less than half the price so not too bad.
 
If you can get it i'm pretty sure the krylon matte or gloss spray varnish is the same as the testor's
 
Atmos is blue again but unsealed as I need to get a sealant still. I’ve been looking at the stuff suggested but I’m unable to buy any right now but hopefully soon! Thanks again everyone :rolleyespony:
 
So… all that you can really do with a sticky pony is strip it? We have one that literally leaves hoof prints and the dust/dog hair in the air will not come off. Even with tweezers.
 
Tak said:
So… all that you can really do with a sticky pony is strip it? We have one that literally leaves hoof prints and the dust/dog hair in the air will not come off. Even with tweezers.
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I eventually had to strip Atmos because during the heatwave, I tried wiping them down with a wetwipe and the fluff just kept getting stuck to them. I already couldn’t get the dust off but that heatwave really made them bad. Maybe that is the way? It’s not the best, I am trying to avoid having to do it with Cranberry too because of her spots I painted in and how I had to mix colours for the shade I wanted (I hate colour mixing) :sleepy:
 
Tak said:
So… all that you can really do with a sticky pony is strip it? We have one that literally leaves hoof prints and the dust/dog hair in the air will not come off. Even with tweezers.
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Mine were super sticky and stuck to the shelf but once i got the dust off and sealed it I dont have any issues anymore. I think it just depends if you can get the debris off :eek: i just used water to get it off for me but again idk how thatll work with anyone elses ponies its a use at your own risk. Its probably a better risk than taking the paint off.
 
strawberrypony32 said:
I think it just depends if you can get the debris off :eek: i just used water to get it off for me but again idk how thatll work with anyone elses ponies its a use at your own risk. Its probably a better risk than taking the paint off.
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I couldn’t get the dust off Atmos so I had to turn to taking it off. Luckily, my blue for Atmos wasn’t a mixed shade so I could easily just put it all back on. It’s just a shame it came to it
 
It's so frustrating when paint turns sticky. I have several old customs waiting to be stripped and redone. I had to do it 20 years ago to a couple customs when they weren't even old, one of which was painted with nail polish because back then we used what we had, lol. Another nail polish custom has aged just fine. Some paints and enamels just react badly. Except for like one specific color, I've had good luck on G1 bodies with basic craft acrylics that are matte finish.
 
Jellybean said:
one of which was painted with nail polish because back then we used what we had, lol.
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I have a set of statues of hares that I had decorated some years ago and all I had to seal… was PVA glue. Now they’re yellowing but not sticky
 
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