WWYD? Damaged MOC Ember

[Gingerbread]

So I noticed my MOC Ember is getting kinda funky. Her ear and top of head is getting some sort of smooze. I don't want to open her but I don't want it to get worse. I'm not sure what to do if anything. I noticed the seal around the plastic bubble is separated just a little near the top, I don't think there is any good way to strategically separate it to clean her and then put her back in. What would you guys do? I don't think I will open but if I don't I can't think of anything else to do to stop discoloration, might just have to leave it be and hope for the best

 

[Skybreeze]

Yikes! That’s hard to say, my gut says take the pony out and save it but my heart says leave it because it’s a difficult set to find MOC.

You could try and use a hair dryer to reheat the glue that’s left on the seal to try and pry it away to free her and clean/treat her but there’s obviously no guarantee that will work.

 

[Tak]

I would save the pony, then maybe sneak a little fresh glue under edge of the bubble after putting her back in. With her tail stuck in the bubble and the separation already happening at the top, it shouldn’t be too hard to get her out. i don’t have any moc g1, but, be careful not to overheat and melt the bubble. I did that my first time. The second try (my power pony rainbow dash had her bubble partially disconnected and she was falling out) worked perfect. I’m sure I’d need to notify a buyer if I ever sold her, but, not gonna happen. I love the power ponies.

 

[Leikin]

I would leave her as is. If opening and putting her back, she would still not be unopened. Just a pony reglued on package. There are plenty of her loose in good condition, but not so many left still on on card, so in my view, she is more valuable as is, then if the pony itself was saved.

Although, its your pony, so its your decision what to do. Just be clear to mention that she has been opened up and reglued if you would ever sell her.

 

[Baby Ribbs]

That is tough. I decarded a moldy, slimy Rockin beat from it's (very damaged) package once. I felt bad for destroying a pony artifact, but felt a little better knowing I helped preserve the figure inside, which is ultimately the point of collecting. If it were me... If it was visibly starting to mold inside the package I would photograph extensively for personal archives then remove pony, clean thoroughly and display alongside the full packaging. I would rather have a good condition pony off card with all its packaging than a pristine moc that was growing mold and would eventually be ruined.

 

[Tak]

I just can't stand to see a purple pony hurting!

 

[tsukikakushi]

It's hard to tell from the pictures; but is it just surface smutz? If it's actually just discoloration I'd leave her as is. If it's mold growing on the surface I'd remove her as carefully as possible. Or see if you can get some long cotton tipped applicators between where the bubble is separated & give her a good swab.

Is it just around her head?

 

[Tak]

Let us know what you decide to do. I kinda liked the idea of just saving the pony and keeping the packaging.

 

[cannibalcow]

in my opinion sell her before opening and buy a loose baby, someone else might want her even as is. she is not a rare pony loose and there are plenty of them around. not plenty on the card and someone could be looking for her.
just my opinion though not trying to be mean

 

[chii]

That's really sad...

I think you might want to take the environment of where you live into consideration as well. Even with a dehumidifier constantly running, sometimes the tile floors here get sticky with the humidity. Mold and mildew spread like a wildfire, so I always have to watch out for that. I'm not sure if that's a problem where you live or not...

If you decide to open the box to save her, I know of two ways to try loosening the glue. As Skybreeze mentioned, you can try a hair drier from a distance. If you've done any scrapbooking or custom stamp stuff, you've probably used a technique where you hold the paper a short distance over a hot toaster. If you're careful, this will loosen the glue without hurting the cardboard. But just like the hair drier, you'll need to be careful not to burn the cardboard.

I think either of these methods might ruin the tape, though...