tips & tricks for changing G3 tail washers?

stjarne

Slice of Life Pony
Joined
Sep 30, 2021
Messages
806
so to keep my ponies in tip top shape i realllyyy want to go ahead and eventually remove/replace all their tail washers. i know the basics of how to do it, i think, just not certain details & i'm a little anxious about the process.
basic supplies i would need would include (white/clear) zipties, an x-acto knife (for removing the head) & some tweezers for taking the tail out... and probably some kind of glue to hold the head back in place. (any brand suggestions?)

i'm wondering, how has this process gone for others? i didn't see many videos on youtube showing how to replace their washers. are all G3 tail washers made out of metal? or are some a different material?
when cutting through the neck- how do you not accidentally ruin it? and/or if the pony has a moving neck is it any different?

i love my G3's but always worry about ruining them during this process. but if i don't go through with it the tails may end up becoming rusty after just a few washes, and then still be ruined. :(
i do want to buy a lot of fakies just to do some practice (i was suggested this and dont know why i never thought about it before) so that might also ease my nervousness
sorry if this is in the wrong thread! i appreciate any help!
 
so to keep my ponies in tip top shape i realllyyy want to go ahead and eventually remove/replace all their tail washers. i know the basics of how to do it, i think, just not certain details & i'm a little anxious about the process.
basic supplies i would need would include (white/clear) zipties, an x-acto knife (for removing the head) & some tweezers for taking the tail out... and probably some kind of glue to hold the head back in place. (any brand suggestions?)

i'm wondering, how has this process gone for others? i didn't see many videos on youtube showing how to replace their washers. are all G3 tail washers made out of metal? or are some a different material?
when cutting through the neck- how do you not accidentally ruin it? and/or if the pony has a moving neck is it any different?

i love my G3's but always worry about ruining them during this process. but if i don't go through with it the tails may end up becoming rusty after just a few washes, and then still be ruined. :(
i do want to buy a lot of fakies just to do some practice (i was suggested this and dont know why i never thought about it before) so that might also ease my nervousness
sorry if this is in the wrong thread! i appreciate any help!
I dont know what everyone else thinks, but I personally wouldnt use an xacto knife. I would heat the ponies until they soften up a bit then carefully take their heads off, maybe use a metal nail file to push open what wont open itself? Xacto knives slip, from experience, i wouldnt :surprisepony:
As far as glue, tacky glue or elmers is pretty good. Itll hold fine and come off if you ever need to take the head off again.
 
I am still yet to properly open up one of my G3’s to clean her out but the glue is really tough so I can’t give advice on that. However I have partially opened one of my ponies to check a washer and used some plastic glue to put her back together although there are properly better ones to use. To do that I used a butter knife and hot water, I’m no expert though. Turntable head ponies are easier when warmed up

Good news though, not all G3 washers are metal! Some have a plastic washer and string wrapped up. My Amberlocks I has a plastic washer. I’m not sure if it’s consistent throughout models or not though. Some have metal washers and some have a metal washer that’s just clamped at the end (my Daffidazey has this)

I’m sorry I don’t have pictures to illustrate each washer I’ve come across but luck with your ponies! :satisfied:
 
I dont know what everyone else thinks, but I personally wouldnt use an xacto knife. I would heat the ponies until they soften up a bit then carefully take their heads off, maybe use a metal nail file to push open what wont open itself? Xacto knives slip, from experience, i wouldnt :surprisepony:
As far as glue, tacky glue or elmers is pretty good. Itll hold fine and come off if you ever need to take the head off again.
seconding this- cutting into the pony's head/neck plug should be a last resort. heating up the neck seam (with hot water or a blow dryer) to soften it and prying the head off with a thin blunt tool is usually the way to go. that said, sometimes you get a head that absolutely does not want to budge, so you can make a small incision in one part of the neck and try prying the head off with your tool/heat from there. if you do use the knife, go slow and take your time.

if the pony has a moving neck, it should be much easier to get off since there's no glue holding it in place- just heating it up and tugging the head til it pops out should suffice.

as far as your supplies go, you'll want to get some plain dental floss for re-threading the tail through the hole. i also find long needle nose pliers more useful for getting in there than regular tweezers. pliers are also useful if you want to remove the metal clamp as well as the washer. and lastly, you probably won't need glue to put heads back on as long as the neck plug is intact. G3s, like G1s, have a notch in their head and body that shows how their heads are supposed to line up. if you do need glue, tacky glue is probably pretty safe.
 
thank you guys for the suggestions!! so, tacky glue & long needle pliers... put both of them on my amazon list for now lol. i already have some good dental floss for re-threading. x-acto knives are cheap so i'll get one anyways if there's any issue. i just want to have whatever i need just in case you know. i don't do these pony projects much :rolleyespony:
if anyone does have pics of how the different washers look that'd be awesome! so i know what to expect. i imagine they're not consistent through models- the factory probably just used whatever washers were available to them at the time
 
if anyone does have pics of how the different washers look that'd be awesome! so i know what to expect. i imagine they're not consistent through models- the factory probably just used whatever washers were available to them at the time
here's what i found regarding washers that aren't your standard metal clamp + washer:
plastic ones;
033eb644dca5681da75bf3149266095f8f18c844.jpg

(x)
index.php

(x)
plus whatever is going on here from a thread by @StormMaeker, looks like the clamp and washer is only attached at one end? i have never seen this before now lol
index.php

(x)
 
so to keep my ponies in tip top shape i realllyyy want to go ahead and eventually remove/replace all their tail washers. i know the basics of how to do it, i think, just not certain details & i'm a little anxious about the process.
basic supplies i would need would include (white/clear) zipties, an x-acto knife (for removing the head) & some tweezers for taking the tail out... and probably some kind of glue to hold the head back in place. (any brand suggestions?)

i'm wondering, how has this process gone for others? i didn't see many videos on youtube showing how to replace their washers. are all G3 tail washers made out of metal? or are some a different material?
when cutting through the neck- how do you not accidentally ruin it? and/or if the pony has a moving neck is it any different?

i love my G3's but always worry about ruining them during this process. but if i don't go through with it the tails may end up becoming rusty after just a few washes, and then still be ruined. :(
i do want to buy a lot of fakies just to do some practice (i was suggested this and dont know why i never thought about it before) so that might also ease my nervousness
sorry if this is in the wrong thread! i appreciate any help!
We have a guide here that has some great videos for you.
 
here's what i found regarding washers that aren't your standard metal clamp + washer:
plastic ones;
033eb644dca5681da75bf3149266095f8f18c844.jpg

(x)
index.php

(x)
plus whatever is going on here from a thread by @StormMaeker, looks like the clamp and washer is only attached at one end? i have never seen this before now lol
index.php

(x)
Oh yeah, this is what was also in my Daffidazey! I forgot about that in my Pretty Parasol. The ring in the Daffidazey snapped off so it’s just the clamp now and it’s staying in. I don’t dare try to remove it in case I can’t repair it well enough so it stays in…

The plastic washer was the same colour as in my Amberlocks. I wonder if they just happened to use pink plastic or tried to colour match them to pony bodies? If you come across other colour plastic washers I’d be interested to know! :lolpony:
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tak
so to keep my ponies in tip top shape i realllyyy want to go ahead and eventually remove/replace all their tail washers. i know the basics of how to do it, i think, just not certain details & i'm a little anxious about the process.
basic supplies i would need would include (white/clear) zipties, an x-acto knife (for removing the head) & some tweezers for taking the tail out... and probably some kind of glue to hold the head back in place. (any brand suggestions?)

i'm wondering, how has this process gone for others? i didn't see many videos on youtube showing how to replace their washers. are all G3 tail washers made out of metal? or are some a different material?
when cutting through the neck- how do you not accidentally ruin it? and/or if the pony has a moving neck is it any different?

i love my G3's but always worry about ruining them during this process. but if i don't go through with it the tails may end up becoming rusty after just a few washes, and then still be ruined. :(
i do want to buy a lot of fakies just to do some practice (i was suggested this and dont know why i never thought about it before) so that might also ease my nervousness
sorry if this is in the wrong thread! i appreciate any help!
I'm curious as to what you're trying to accomplish or ensure by replacing all the tail washers--is it to avoid the possibility of rust? If so, know that while all metal tail washers CAN rust, not all of them do, if the ponies are kept in a good environment. Only a few (maybe 3?) in my entire G1 herd have had any washers replaced at all.

If you're trying to preserve their value, then I'm afraid beheading the ones with glued-on heads and replacing the insides (when no rust has been found) may detract from their value in the end, as they have been tampered with and are no longer 100% original.

If you are determined to proceed, please see the thread that @Skybreeze linked here about safely removing pony heads:

As well as this one:

Ruining a pony with an exacto knife is a very common occurrence among the unexperienced. Be extremely careful and extremely patient if you're going to try to use one to remove a head. I would really think twice before opening up your collection ponies, lest accidents happen that can't be fixed in the end. :/


i don't do these pony projects much :rolleyespony:
I strongly, strongly suggest starting with a bait G3 pony in poor condition before you go experimenting on those in your collection. And I think it's going to prove to be a much more difficult task than you're expecting, so please be aware of that.


We have a guide here that has some great videos for you.
Thank you, @Skybreeze!
 
@MustBeJewel it's not to "preserve value" really. i said it in my first post. i'd like to do it to make sure they're kept in shape when it comes to rust. maybe not all of these washers rust but i'd just like to eliminate the possibility... i see your concern though but it comes off a bit deprecating :unsure: i'm fairly certain i'd like to go through with it- starting with fakies or baits first. there are a select few ponies i would not do this to though- art/fair ponies, ones with mechanisms inside (i.e lily lightly, graceful glimmer) maybe some others i can't think of right now. i'm all for trying to preserve what i can out of a pony, but something as small as a washer doesn't bother me personally (plus it'd also give me some peace of mind lol). i'll read and keep those threads you linked in mind so thank you for that. i'll try the hot water method first when i get around to doing this
 
concern though but it comes off a bit deprecating
So, I don’t think @MustBeJewel meant no harm or discouragement in her comment. To me, it seems as though she’s just explaining possible out comes from both sides, the pros and cons of removing washers to one’s collection. Jewel is a veteran in the pony community and has been a vital part in keeping pony history current and accurate over decades of her own collecting. She really is a gem in the community. So I really don’t think any of her message was meant with any ill intent.

i'd like to do it to make sure they're kept in shape when it comes to rust. maybe not all of these washers rust but i'd just like to eliminate the possibility..
I understand the desire to essentially nip a known issue before it becomes a problem in one’s own collection. But removing washer of an entire collection is kind of extreme. The best way to prevent a washer (especially with G3 being one of the newer generations) is to simply not submerge a pony in water at all. A pony can be cleaned without being submerged into water easily, sadly people like to take the east route out and just submerge and not drain properly. Thus leaving metal to rust over time. The only way you risk more degradation is to continually leave a pony enclosed and not allow it to drain properly.



i'm all for trying to preserve what i can out of a pony, but something as small as a washer doesn't bother me personally
From a collector point of view, opening any pony (braking factory seal) and replacing a good washer is frowned upon. Most collectors do prefer a pony to be factory when they purchase them. As soon as you open a pony you devalue it. However, your herd is your choice to do with as you please and no one call tell you what to do with it.

We at the MLPTP just need to ensure that people are aware of both the pros and cons of doing something like this. We have thousands of people who visit the forums and we do our best to share accurate information as best we can. Both bad and good.

Again, ultimately if you want to take this big task under your wings as preventative that’s entirely up to you. I commend and applaud you for trying to go about it the right way vs a way that could further damage your collection. Just another note to consider, be sure you take note of ANY modifications you make to your ponies. This is something to do should you ever decide to sell in the future you can disclose things you’ve done to change the pony (replacing washers are important to disclose when selling).

Good luck with your project however you decide to go about it. If you need help feel free to dm me. :)
 
i didnt realize it was such a huge deal. thanks anyways guys.
I think it just depends on the collector too. Everyone is different! :) I personally dont mind buying ponies that arent factory or have been cleaned inside or washer taken out. If its something you really want to do to care for your ponies, you totally can. We all want pony spa days sometimes!

To ease your worries I will say. If your ponies are kept in safe conditions and show no signs of rust or mistreatment theres a good chance they wont rust. It depends what kind of home they come from. I personally have never had a rusty g3 pony. Also, a rusty tail isnt going to ruin your pony so try not to worry. Ive cleaned many rusty tails in g1 ponies and it was easy as just washing out the inside the pony with soap scrubbing the tail with toothpaste, and the rust came right out! Its like it was never there. It only takes one evening to do!

In the end its what makes you happy, but I dont want you to be terrified of rust either. Theyre probably pretty safe if theyre in good condition. So what ever you wanna do! :smile: <3
 
i didnt realize it was such a huge deal. thanks anyways guys.
Ultimately, just be careful, keep notes of who’s been opened for future reference, and do what you need to do. I’m with jewel in that, I wouldn’t replace a washer unless I had to. Most of my ponies are ok. However, when I was a kid, I did take ponies in the bath. I’m sure they rusted. I’m a minimalist when I comes to cleaning my own collection, though. I primp them when they enter my herd, maintain an environment that deters any moisture or sunlight, and then I just check on them regularly. Ponies to customize or for other people, I treat a bit differently.
 
To ease your worries I will say. If your ponies are kept in safe conditions and show no signs of rust or mistreatment theres a good chance they wont rust. It depends what kind of home they come from.
this 100%- if your ponies are properly washed and stored in a climate controlled environment (i.e. low humidity levels) they'll be just fine. 99% of my G3s have not rusted. the only ones that have came to me from places like flea markets where they had been sitting outside in the summer heat and humidity and rain, consistently, for who knows how long. unless you live in a very hot and humid place with no A/C, i wouldn't worry, especially since it sounds like you're being careful with your ponies. though perhaps the responses you received weren't what you expected (and said responses were out of care for your herd, too), i give you props for asking first instead of just jumping right in. again, it really shows you care- and i'm sure your herd will be fine, with or without their washers removed :smile:
 
@MustBeJewel i see your concern though but it comes off a bit deprecating :unsure:

I'm sorry that you feel that my intention was to be deprecating to you. As someone who has been in the community for more than 20 years, I try to convey the known risks and potential consequences any person would be taking in doing something like what you have described. Which, in all honesty, is a very unusual venture among collectors. I would be doing a disservice to the community if I didn't offer insight and safety advice when it comes to both collectors and their ponies. ;)

Your statement of "i love my G3's but always worry about ruining them during this process." lead me to want to make clear just what risks were involved, for your sake. Like the others in this thread, I am trying to help you. :winkpony:

i'm fairly certain i'd like to go through with it- starting with fakies or baits first.

I think that's a wonderful idea. I have some fakies and baits that I'll be putting up in the freebies section soon if you're interested. :)
 
I’ve found a hairdryer works better than hot water to soak glue. If you can get the seam to open a tiny bit you can usually peel the head off from there with heat and patience. I also use a pair of thin, sharp nail scissors instead of an exacto knife if the glue has fused to the vinyl (may be less of a problem with g3). You can snip the actual glue instead of slicing the plastic that way, and it’s less likely to damage the pony. My two cents on devaluing: while it’s good to be aware of what can devalue ponies, my collection is just for me, so I don’t mind removing a head if I need to. Replacing washers with zip ties is very easy, so don’t sweat it.
 
Back
Top