My Restorations and Question Thread

[Alstroemeria]

Nobody has been mentioning the wattage levels they are using when sunfading in the UV boxes and they aren’t mentioning (generally) if they’re using direct sunlight so….I'm thinking everyone is using a variation here.

I'm just using standard UV LEDs. I bought a 65ft roll from Amazon for $19.99. It's slower, but hasn't burned anything, and I have enough individual LEDs to get coverage for multiple ponies at a time.

A few others have shown their set ups using UV reptile bulbs (the compact fluorescent bulb), LED strips, and reusing UV bulbs from their UV nail polish gel curing lamps.

These can be found on individuals restoration threads and in past threads if searched up. There was a bit of discussion on using reptile bulbs.

 

[minticat]

Im curious about something…

Nobody has been mentioning the wattage levels they are using when sunfading in the UV boxes and they aren’t mentioning (generally) if they’re using direct sunlight so….I'm thinking everyone is using a variation here.
This is really important information that should be added though when discussing the sunfading topics I would think? I could be wrong though.
Maybe the reason why some people are frying their ponies, while others are not, could be because nobody is mentioning the details of the methods that they are using?

I want to try sunfading but I’m missing important details from you guys. Or, if this isn’t important, please let me know.

Also, maybe I missed that part of the tutorial altogether and if that’s the case, please tell me.

this is actually a really good point– it seems everyone uses something different.

i personally use a homemade UV box using a $15 light strip from amazon. product page on that says it's 12 watts. it works great for me. on the flip side, i've tried a premade $100 UV-C sanitizer box and that did almost nothing. that one was 125 watts, so i have to wonder if UV-C isn't the right spectrum to be using.

 

[ParadiseDreams]

this is actually a really good point– it seems everyone uses something different.

i personally use a homemade UV box using a $15 light strip from amazon. product page on that says it's 12 watts. it works great for me. on the flip side, i've tried a premade $100 UV-C sanitizer box and that did almost nothing. that one was 125 watts, so i have to wonder if UV-C isn't the right spectrum to be using.

I'm just using standard UV LEDs. I bought a 65ft roll from Amazon for $19.99. It's slower, but hasn't burned anything, and I have enough individual LEDs to get coverage for multiple ponies at a time.

A few others have shown their set ups using UV reptile bulbs (the compact fluorescent bulb), LED strips, and reusing UV bulbs from their UV nail polish gel curing lamps.

These can be found on individuals restoration threads and in past threads if searched up. There was a bit of discussion on using reptile bulbs.

I can tell you from working for a very long time in the animal industry that reptile bulbs are UVB bulbs.
If I remember correctly plant bulbs require UV-A bulbs.

So, knowing there’s many differences in UV rays is the exact reason I’m bringing up my concerns before getting started.

Can you share the thread about the discussion about the UVB bulbs please?

What is everyone else using successfully and unsuccessfully?

 

[Alstroemeria]

Can you share the thread about the discussion about the UVB bulbs please?

I used the website's search function and searched for "uv bulb". There's this one

Sunfading with UV Bulbs?

I saw some UV bulbs like this while picking up cat food earlier, and I had to know: has anyone tried using these kinds of bulbs for indoor sunfading? If so, how effective is it? Is it safe? Can you screw the bulb into a standard gooseneck lamp or does it require a special lamp? We're starting to...

www.mlptp.net

And within it is the link to the other thread.

As for using specialty UVB, I wouldn't recommend it. There price to output efficacy just isn't there. Who wants to replace a bulb every 6 to 8 months? But, I suppose most don't know the coating breaks down causing that short lifespan?

Plant bulbs are a mix, with some A in the white, and red and blue lights.

The LEDs are used in resin curing light boxes, and similar RetroBrighting set ups, range in the very low mW, 0.9 to 3. To get total wattage you'd need to know how many LEDs are in the strip.

 

[ParadiseDreams]

I used the website's search function and searched for "uv bulb". There's this one

Sunfading with UV Bulbs?

I saw some UV bulbs like this while picking up cat food earlier, and I had to know: has anyone tried using these kinds of bulbs for indoor sunfading? If so, how effective is it? Is it safe? Can you screw the bulb into a standard gooseneck lamp or does it require a special lamp? We're starting to...

www.mlptp.net

And within it is the link to the other thread.

As for using specialty UVB, I wouldn't recommend it. There price to output efficacy just isn't there. Who wants to replace a bulb every 6 to 8 months? But, I suppose most don't know the coating breaks down causing that short lifespan?

Plant bulbs are a mix, with some A in the white, and red and blue lights.

The LEDs are used in resin curing light boxes, and similar RetroBrighting set ups, range in the very low mW, 0.9 to 3. To get total wattage you'd need to know how many LEDs are in the strip.

Thank you for that knowledge and I can see you know what you’re talking about. Most do not know about the breakdown of the UVBs.
I read for fabric, to get any fading you have to be over 3. so, lots of LED UVs. is my thoughts here.

 

[Alstroemeria]

Most do not know about the breakdown of the UVBs.
I read for fabric, to get any fading you have to be over 3. so, lots of LED UVs. is my thoughts here.

I've kept reptiles for decades. The bulbs never get any cheaper, but the quality has lowered. I usually have to return at least one brand new bulb every year for either not working out of box or dying as soon as it's plugged in.

And yes, I already mentioned I used a 65ft roll. I've considered adding more, like a center column to boost distribution in the middle since I like to fade 4 at a time. If you use LEDs, get the longest roll you can find, once you start applying them inside a box the length gets used up fast.

 

[ParadiseDreams]

That does sound like the quality has dropped, even since I kept reptiles and took care of them as a profession. I think the quality, if I remember correctly, started dropped about a decade ago. The corporations sure are greedy.
Also, 65 ft roll? You fit all that in a tiny box?
Looks like @Draco uses plant bulbs with a good results too.

 

[Alstroemeria]

I thought draco used a reef bulb? Or maybe that was darklys? I mix up their names and they both have big collections/lots of comment history.

The LED strips have tiny LEDs. My box, I think, is 16x18"? It's at home and I'm not. lol

I'm stuck with buying ReptiSun 10%. I'd switch to mercury vapor but my tortoise doesn't like intense heat. During the summer I have to bring him in and keep him in AC because he doesn't like 100+F heat index days.

 

[ParadiseDreams]

He does use a reef bulb and you’re right, I always forget the reefs are super high powered 10-20k (& pricey) while the plant bulbs are only around 3.5-6.5k.
I make the mistake of calling them both plant bulbs because I think of the coral only & see them as water plants which I even KNOW is incorrect & yet here I am still doin it & I don’t take into account the poor fishies that also need the reef bulb.

Aww, what kind of tortie do you have? I love them so much. They have such a long life span, if I got one now it would surely outlive me.

So, here’s something I found on the web, “Sources estimate a global average of between 164 watts to 340 watts per square meter over a 24-hour day”
So, in essence are we cooking these poor adorable plastic ponies?

 

[Draco]

That does sound like the quality has dropped, even since I kept reptiles and took care of them as a profession. I think the quality, if I remember correctly, started dropped about a decade ago. The corporations sure are greedy.
Also, 65 ft roll? You fit all that in a tiny box?
Looks like @Draco uses plant bulbs with a good results too.

I thought draco used a reef bulb? Or maybe that was darklys? I mix up their names and they both have big collections/lots of comment history.

The LED strips have tiny LEDs. My box, I think, is 16x18"? It's at home and I'm not. lol

I'm stuck with buying ReptiSun 10%. I'd switch to mercury vapor but my tortoise doesn't like intense heat. During the summer I have to bring him in and keep him in AC because he doesn't like 100+F heat index days.

I use a reef bulb, Par38 to be exact.
Darklys uses a plant bulb- I know because I sent them that bulb lol. Either one would be good! I find Reef lasts longer based on my experience with reef keeping.

 

[Draco]

Also.. the bulb I use is $25. Here's the amazon link to it

Loading…

www.amazon.com

and this is what Darklys has:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CXTZN2Q/ref=sspa_dk_detail_3?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B00CXTZN2Q&pd_rd_w=1HA9r&content-id=amzn1.sym.386c274b-4bfe-4421-9052-a1a56db557ab&pf_rd_p=386c274b-4bfe-4421-9052-a1a56db557ab&pf_rd_r=691DARDH7616B0Q13YVK&pd_rd_wg=WvghM&pd_rd_r=2664461e-f400-4b2f-af91-12cd1ca79fbe&s=hi&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWxfdGhlbWF0aWM

 

[Alstroemeria]

@Draco, building others boxes! That must be why I mixed it up, you bought both. $25 is cheap. How well does that do reflecting enough for getting belly/inner legs? Do you have to flip ponies around?

So, in essence are we cooking these poor adorable plastic ponies?

Maybe? But some look like they hit the 80s tanning booths pretty hard already... I'm open to trying stronger bulbs for more serious cases, but I think a lower strength fade for brightening/light nicotine stains is probably safer for many cases.

And I have a redfoot. There was a pet thread in the Friends Discussion. If it hasn't sat too long it can be revived.

 

[Draco]

@Draco, building others boxes! That must be why I mixed it up, you bought both. $25 is cheap. How well does that do reflecting enough for getting belly/inner legs? Do you have to flip ponies around?

You do have to flip the ponies, however the tinfoil acts as a reflector and allows the light to bounce back from the sides to the pony to get to the belly and inner legs and even inside the ponies. Usually I leave on one side until it's ready to be flipped over, and don't worry about the belly areas.

 

[ParadiseDreams]

@Draco, building others boxes! That must be why I mixed it up, you bought both. $25 is cheap. How well does that do reflecting enough for getting belly/inner legs? Do you have to flip ponies around?


Maybe? But some look like they hit the 80s tanning booths pretty hard already... I'm open to trying stronger bulbs for more serious cases, but I think a lower strength fade for brightening/light nicotine stains is probably safer for many cases.

And I have a redfoot. There was a pet thread in the Friends Discussion. If it hasn't sat too long it can be revived.

What is “red foot”

 

[Alstroemeria]

Aww, what kind of tortie do you have?

What is “red foot”

Chelonoidis carbonarius, redfooted/redfoot tortoise. The species is from northern South America, but mine was dumped outside in spring when it was still cold at night.

His indoor winter pen requires UVB, heat emitters, and some additional UVA to keep him active. ... there's probably enough light in there to fade dozens of ponies. lol (future experiment?)

...and I just looked, you're in NoVa. So yeah, I'm dealing with similar temps and sunny days (if I want to sunfade anything outside) down in Hampton Roads.

 

[ParadiseDreams]

Chelonoidis carbonarius, redfooted/redfoot tortoise. The species is from northern South America, but mine was dumped outside in spring when it was still cold at night.

His indoor winter pen requires UVB, heat emitters, and some additional UVA to keep him active. ... there's probably enough light in there to fade dozens of ponies. lol (future experiment?)

...and I just looked, you're in NoVa. So yeah, I'm dealing with similar temps and sunny days (if I want to sunfade anything outside) down in Hampton Roads.

Oh, I thought Red Foot was a new pony disease because we are jumping topics! I was like, “OMGosh, that sounds terrible!

I know what a Red Foot Tortoise is, those are AWESOME tortoises!!

We do have good sun here but the humidity is terrible in the summer months and also if you’re in Hampton Roads then you have even more very slight variables to consider with the salty air.
You're next to the ocean (I used to live in Va Beach so, I know the area fairly well). I think it only contributes a super slight variation though so, probably not even noticeable tbh.

 

[Alstroemeria]

those are AWESOME tortoises!!

... reality of living with one, slightly less awesome. He has an attitude.

Hampton doesn't get as much wind as VB. It can be rather stagnant outside sometimes. But you can keep the snow up there with you.

Maybe I'll make it over to the Maryland pony meet sometime! I'll probably end up visiting Richmond in the next few months. There are a scattering of us collectors all over Virginia. But it's always neat to find ones close.

 

[ParadiseDreams]

I’d rather not have the snow either

I think all tortoises have an attitude issue. They’re so cute though

I’m about an hour north of Richmond, but an hour south of DC. Just close enough to work in both areas - terrible traffic.

You should totally go to the meet! We have people crossing several states to get to it! I hope to see you there one day

 

[myhatrules]

Is there a tried and true method for re-blushing a G1? I found one of my dream ponies but has blush loss on her NDS. I saw someone say acrylic paint diluted with acetone on a q-tip.

 

[CharmsPonies]

Is there a tried and true method for re-blushing a G1? I found one of my dream ponies but has blush loss on her NDS. I saw someone say acrylic paint diluted with acetone on a q-tip.

You can use acrylic paint, but i typically use a q tip with dust from red pastels though! Less permanent than paint obviously but allows you to wash it off if you make a mistake, stays on pretty well and gives a softer blushy look.
Here’s some examples with sundance and baby surprise