- This topic has 30 replies, 1 voice, and was last updated 10 years, 10 months ago by .
-
Posts
-
I really need some help!
I purchased a Male Peacock Dragon as “used”. I know he’s old, but he arrived today and is absolutely filthy. He’s so covered in dust and grime I don’t even know where or how to start.
To add to his problems, ee also has a chip out of his tail under his right front hand.
The only good thing is that he doesn’t smell like smoke.
I don’t want to send him to camp (no one would probably take him anyway) and am sure he can be rehabilitated. I just don’t know what to do or who else to contact.
Would the green goo type stuff (Cyber Clean) used to clean computer and cellphone keyboards and key pads work without damaging him? Don’t want to hurt him more.
Thank you!
Life is beautiful.
There’s a little info on cleanup at the Windstone FAQ here:
http://windstoneeditions.com/forum/windstone-frequently-asked-questions
And here’s a thread where the topic got discussed years ago:
http://windstoneeditions.com/forum/how-do-you-clean-your-windstone
Hope that helps! 🙂
Thanks – I knew I’d seen a thread somewhere, but couldn’t find it. Thanks for the link.
Life is beautiful.
Since he has a chip and will probably require a little water to get clean – you might want to consider getting some sealer for his chip. That way if you’re careful water won’t get into the gypsum.
Just an idea though!
Pam has been known to give Windstones baths and might have some advise. 🙂
Thank you. If I were to attempt to repair the chip (which I would like to do since it’s at the front), Should I just attmept a colour match with regular acrylic paint? I could build it up a bit with the apoxy stuff, and then paint.
Oh my goodness, for someone (me) who never wanted to get into repair work, it looks like I’m going to have to learn in a hurry.
Life is beautiful.
If it was mine, and hopelessly dirty, this is what I would do. Use this info at your own risk.
I’d seal the chip. Or not. I’m lazy so probably not!
Then I’d put him in the sink, and turn the spray attachment on him, gently scrubbing with q-tips and a non-abrasive cloth to remove dirt and use warm to cool water.
Then I’d dry him gently, set him on his side so that the underneath can dry, and let him air out for a day or two to fully dry. At that point I’d do any repair work I needed to do. That’s just me, though!I’d be far more gentle with a rarer piece, and I would never get any of the red windstones (ruby/red fire) wet. But for a peacock.. their paint can take a (gentle) beating.
Volunteer mod- I'm here to help! Email me for the best response: nambroth at gmail.com
My art: featherdust.comI’ve wondered how I’d handle a dirty lil monster as well! (Mine will inevitably get dirty, I live in the country where it’s windy as h*ll and dirt roads ‘n the like all make for a dusty inside! even behind glass stuff gets dusty)
I knew a damp soft cloth was one good way to wash one up, but canned air is also ok on them? I didn’t know if the much cooler temps that stuff comes out at would negatively affect the Windstone or not… ‘n good to know to not get red wet! I don’t foresee a red in my collection for a while, but you never know!
Is the felt ok enough that a lil bath like you mentioned Jennifer won’t poorly affect the felt? I’m so not used to handling these guys so I’m still treating mine with baby gloves XD lol
I clean my windstones by running them under the sink. I am lazy about chips and dont’ seal them first. So far nothing bad has happened, but it could make a chip worse if the area is already brittle and crumbling. For really dirty windstones, I will scrub them down with a soft paintbrush or toothbrush and watered down dish detergent. Then I set them on their side or on a metal rack so the pad and plaster can dry.
I clean my windstones by running them under the sink. I am lazy about chips and dont’ seal them first. So far nothing bad has happened, but it could make a chip worse if the area is already brittle and crumbling. For really dirty windstones, I will scrub them down with a soft paintbrush or toothbrush and watered down dish detergent. Then I set them on their side or on a metal rack so the pad and plaster can dry.
Same here. This is what I do, too, unless it’s a valuable piece that I want to be really careful with, or a red windstone.
About getting the pad wet:
Getting the felt pad wet and then allowing it to air dry fully won’t hurt it. Turn the windstone on its side so that it can dry properly. Friction does worse harm to the pad than most anything else, so just don’t scrub it or anything.Canned air is totally okay and I’ve used it, and a compressor, on my windstones too. I take them outside and do it so I’m not just blowing the same dust around my house though. That part is up to you (if you care or not).
Edited to say, in case I wasn’t clear: The above is what I do when I have REALLY soiled or dusty (especially dust CAKES in the scales, aughsghdh) windstones. Generally to keep mine clean I gently dust them! I didn’t want it to seem like I toss them in the sink whenever they are simply a little dusty.
Volunteer mod- I'm here to help! Email me for the best response: nambroth at gmail.com
My art: featherdust.comAnd I’m guessing baths don’t apply to SIGNED pieces? Or are you just super careful to keep the pad as dry as possible? *shivers at the thought of ink bleeding* (I’ve actually thought about scotchguarding pads, and then decided I was probably losing my mind…)
I haven’t found a soft cloth I like yet; everything seems to snag just a tiny bit–enough to make me paranoid. Guess I need to go hunting for some super soft brushes. We have plenty of dust (pets) and I’m the type who wants these pieces out to be loved, not hermetically sealed behind glass. But that is going to mean more frequent dusting and probably occasional heavier cleaning. And perhaps skip any more signed pieces. Sigh.
I have a dusty original black bat winged flap cat due to arrive tomorrow, so he may be my first test subject for bathing! LOL
I just want to thak you all for your time, your thoughts, and your helpful advice.
It means a lot to me that so many of you, who don’t even know me at all can take the time from your busy days to help me out. Thank you!
What I have done so far is to start brushing him. I have a pretty good selection of brushes from other projects. These brushes won’t be used for anything else, so I don’t care how dirty they get.
This weekend, when I get a good stretch of time to work on him, I’ll try the gentle washing techniques. Putting him in the sink scares me a bit, though. I have a microfibe eyeglasses cloth that might be OK, q-tips, and old (unused) make-up sponges.
I think I’ll seal him up first, before attempting cleaning. I’ve noticed a few “fleabites” on him as I’ve been brushing him.
Once I get him cleaned up and dried off, I’ll work on touching up the paint. I’m not too worried about the little bites, but will definitely try to fix the chip at his right hand.
Again, thank you all for your help and ideas.
Life is beautiful.
Regarding signed pads: Currently, we sign all pads with permanent marker. However, other signed pads might not be, and I know that some of Olimpia’s weren’t (because I got water on one and the ink bled). If a signed piece must be washed, I clean it by holding it upside down and at an angle under the faucet, then I thoroughly dry the piece while it is upside down. If your piece has a tag, you should get an extra person to hold the tag up or it WILL get wet.
You could also wipe the piece down with a damp sponge to keep water off the pad.
I dust mine with make-up brushes.Very soft.After it gets a good cleaning that is 😉
Every act matters.No matter how small💞
(Wanted......Brimstone Lap)
Male Hearth....one day🤞Dream on.I admit it, I do Pam’s method when it comes to cleaning, I also use hot water, it cleans them faster so I don’t have to keep them under the water as long & it dries quicker. Then I set them on a paper towel just in case the pad got wet. I have also discovered baby bottle brushes work pretty well. I know, I know, I can hear the horrified gasps from here, but really Windstones hold up really well, the only color I would never try this on would be the old Ruby…that paint just can’t take anything, not really.
If you are afraid to try the full under water spray thing, baby wipes work exceptionally well on these as well.
Kyrin
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
