Retailing

[faeriefixes]

Alright, so I recently got some pretty gnarly ponies from someone’s basement (they came with free fleas!) and definitely had to remove their heads and clean EVERYTHING out. I did notice their washers aren’t in the worst shape, and I decided to soak them in vinegar to remove rust and seal them to prevent rusting.
Now I have the problem of not knowing how to put the tail back in with the washer. Every video shows them replacing the washer with zip ties, but I’m only really wanting to do that on the real gnarly ones. Anyone have experience retailing WITH original washer? Medley needs her tail back

 

[Alstroemeria]

...fleas?!

And maybe two pairs of hemostats? A short thin pair to poke the tail in and hold it (and prevent pulling it all the way through) and another longer pair to grab/position the tail crimp in the washer? A thin ribbon to fish the tail through and a pair of hemostats to position inside the pony might work.


I just use clear plastic washers and a zip tie. The thin spiked washer I take out are usually heavily rusted and often break.

I have found that some of the earliest ponies have excellent quality washers. And I have found a sealed Blossom with two stainless  spacers instead of a washer. Those were such nice quality that someone had to have made mistake.

 

[StormMaeker]

I love originality so if a washer isn’t bad I put it back with it

It’s just the same as putting in a new tail, just go through the neck instead of from the outside

Did you take the washer off or leave it on?

 

[faeriefixes]

I had to take the washers off to get to the hair. The rust was stuck in deep especially in sparklers hair

I love originality so if a washer isn’t bad I put it back with it

It’s just the same as putting in a new tail, just go through the neck instead of from the outside

Did you take the washer off or leave it on?

 

[StormMaeker]

I had to take the washers off to get to the hair. The rust was stuck in deep especially in sparklers hair

I have no experience about putting a washer back on after it’s been taken off, sorry.

If it’s the circular bit maybe there is a way to thread it back in using string? If it’s the rectangular clamp then unless there’s a way to squeeze it back on, I feel it’s zipties route, sorry

Maybe someone else has experience?

 

[Draco]

I wouldn't trust using original washers and clamps, even if you cleaned and seal. It can still rust again over time.
But if you really want to use the washers, think of it as threading a thread through a needle. Use a string to put through the center of the washer, loop it around the tail and pull. Going to be tight, but it can be done!

 

[Alstroemeria]

Just to be clear, everyone is picturing the thin washers with the two teeth that are slightly bent to hold the tail?

I always remove the ones with teeth because they rust easily and can cut hair.
The two thick ones were a FF Blossom's weird spacers. I've never seen stainless spacers in another pony.

 

[faeriefixes]

I wouldn't trust using original washers and clamps, even if you cleaned and seal. It can still rust again over time.
But if you really want to use the washers, think of it as threading a thread through a needle. Use a string to put through the center of the washer, loop it around the tail and pull. Going to be tight, but it can be done!

Tbh I think I’m just going to go in with zip ties. I wanted to preserve “factory”, but in the end they’re my ponies and they’re in a better place than they were in that basement. These washers are too far gone and I can’t seem to get them back in anyways. Just gonna write it down in my restoration book, it isn’t worth ruining the original hair in tail and having to rehair. Thanks everyone for the advice

 

[peepersponies]

Tbh I think I’m just going to go in with zip ties. I wanted to preserve “factory”, but in the end they’re my ponies and they’re in a better place than they were in that basement. These washers are too far gone and I can’t seem to get them back in anyways. Just gonna write it down in my restoration book, it isn’t worth ruining the original hair in tail and having to rehair. Thanks everyone for the advice

I like zip ties personally, there's definitely no shame in restoring your own herd however you see fit!!!

 

[Draco]

Just to be clear, everyone is picturing the thin washers with the two teeth that are slightly bent to hold the tail?

View attachment 90538

I always remove the ones with teeth because they rust easily and can cut hair.
The two thick ones were a FF Blossom's weird spacers. I've never seen stainless spacers in another pony.

the thicker, heavier ones were used to balance the FF ponies. they had the tendency to tip forward, the weights keeps them standing

 

[Alstroemeria]

I haven't found them in my other FFs.

But in terms of what it would cost to use those in production of thousands, they would be expensive to use. Even in the 80s.