You get a vintage toy and it is a little dirty or missing some paint in areas

Do you risk cleaning up the dirt if it is just a little dingy?

Do you try to touch up the paint?

A mild soap never hurt a vinyl toy.
Soft toothbrush helps too. I've also taken toothpaste to vinyls to remove
paint rubs. (yes, actual toothpaste out of the tube) It's an extremely mild abrasive.

figured i'd dredge this thread up.

got my first vintage bullmark goji last night, and it's dirty to say the least. gross might be more fitting

anywho, is there a soap some of you prefer to use? toothbrush is at the ready!

i used normal old liquid handsoap

Yep, liquid hand soap is good...dish soap is good, too. Anything mild.

Try Formula 303 - Clay ("Miami") recommended it here a while ago. i just tried it myself - it's a very gentle cleaner that also serves as an excellent UV protectant. Works like a charm.

Touching up the paint on vintage figures? Are you high?!?

thanks guys.

i have some decent handsoap at home that will leave goji smelling like lavender.

now i know what you guys mean by vintage smell. he smells all right..

if you can, try to keep from submerging it

it wont hurt it, but it will get water inside that is just annoying to try to get all out

Water won't hurt the toys or paint, they are plastic after all. Mild soap will work, q-tips are great for those hard to reach areas. For scuff marks and harder to clean up areas, use a diluted portion of the orange-based cleaner from Twin Pines of Maine. It is formulated for GI Joe bodies and parts, but it works the same on vinyl. Be careful with it, in it's diluted form, after a little while of work, it will take those scuffs off, if you work it too much, you can remove actual paint.

There is no way to remove magic marker or cigarette smoke smell.

also, for some reason, japanese dealers will hardly ever clean a toy - the "patina" helps prove it's authenticity I guess. Many times you can get a filthy vinyl, give him a quick wash and see a complete change in appearance, and at half the price!

thanks for the tips brian!

i spent about an hour cleaning his feet last night and the color that came out from the grime is really incredible. the dirt between the toes was gross, but even worse was the smell that comes out from vinyl when you wet it and it smells like a wet old cigarette.

it's really rewarding to clean it up and see that i got a great old bullmark for the price of a new figure though. it was a steal so i'm totally not complaining.

i'm hooked on gojis now though...slippery slope

DO NOT CLEAN WITH WATER IF IT HAS SMALL BLACK OR BROWN DOTS ! this is vinyl mold or "kabi" . it will spread ! even to other dolls !

"DO NOT CLEAN WITH WATER IF IT HAS SMALL BLACK OR BROWN DOTS ! this is vinyl mold or "kabi" . it will spread ! even to other dolls"

Cool! This is good information.

I wonder if it's possible to kill the mould?

Kind of related. I've picked up some vintage toys in shops that are actually very sticky to the touch. Is this from the vinyl itself? The shop keeper told me I'd just be able to wash it off, but are these toys in a state of terminal decomposition?

This is a good thread. I have most of my toys in a glass cabinet. But they still get dusty. I'm not too worried about the production toys but more concerned with the handpaints. Would you still recommend the mild cleaners on these or should I just use a duster?

you can not stop "KABI" you can only remove it from other dolls.NO CURE!
if the paint is sticky its been re-painted with the wrong paint. if the vinyl is sticky try washing it off if it's still sticky it's been cleaned with a solvent and there is nothing to do.

Thanks, Kr.

How do you remove the "kabi"? Pick it off?

Kabi doesn't come off it is dug into the vinyl. You can feel tiny holes.You can use mold remover like tilex to clean the surface but it's still spottie . Also keep rice or silica near the piece to draw away moisture . It will still grow but at a slower pace. No cure!!! Keep the doll away from other dolls ie a plexie display box.

a big plastic bag full of baking soda; put toy in bag, seal bag. Leave for 3-4 days. I am told that this helps remove the nicotine aromas that suffuse the toy in question. Have not personally tried it, as I am still a smoker (trying to quit about every 6 weeks).

Mr. Clean Magic Erasers are great for scuffs and rubs.

Thanks for the mold info KR. Up at 2:30am with a touch of insomnia. I did a search on killing mold, and it seems that ozone generators are used to treat mold (but not kill mold and the spores off entirely). Ozone generators are used to remove odors (smoking too) from hotel rooms, I wonder how toys would fare (yes, my geekiness is peeking through ). By the way, if there are any backpackers out there, those new-fangled ozone water sterilizer pens are pretty neat!

I have tried baking soda and it does work! The great thing is, I stash the bag filled with the baking soda and figure on top of the fridge or in a cabinet and forget about it...months later I find a great toy!

The Mr clean sponges do work great for scuffs directly on the vinyl. However, be very careful rubbing off scuffs
that are on top of the paint. Just go slow....

I've always had luck with baby wipes! If they're mild enough for a baby's bottom, ...

I work with ozone on a daily basis and it is a VERY caustic, corrosive substance. It is very bad for vinyl and causes it to become brittle, cracked and discolored (usually yellowing). Short term exposure most likely wouldn't hurt a toy, but extended exposure will surely cause damage.

Thanks for the update Melek_taus. I didn't realize it could be so corrosive . You must have quite a job!

No problem Mister.
Just trying to keep the toys safe.

My job's OK... could use some improvements. Especially on the money front.