[lordsmurf]

I want to be very careful with my figures, but I have a problem. I've started to remove the tags on the Smurf figures I've bought in the past 5 years because some of the older ones were turning yellow, and the glue was greasy against the plastic/rubber. Also sort of unsightly.

I've cut all the tags off the figures (I'm gonna just trash them, see no reason to keep them). And I want to display them.

Now the issue I'm having is getting the glue off. Q-tips with water only goes so far. They're still covered in a greasy slime from the glue. But I'm afraid to use something stronger like rubbing alcohol, for fear of removing the paintjobs.

I'm assuming removing the tags is a normal process for most of you?

What would be good for removing the greasy glue, without harming the paint or plastic/rubber figures? What do you use?

[Gerda]

Try putting the smurfs in some dish soap that contains degreaser. I have been able to clean alot of my smurfs by simply soaking them for a few minutes in bubble bath useing the dish soap. Then use the q tip or a soft paper towel gently and you should have no problem getting them clean. I've never takent he tags off of the newer smurfs because I think they look newer with them on, but i never thought of the fact that the tags will harm the smurfs


gerda

[Guest]

I've received old shop stock recently where some of the tags had got quite yukky and I ended up having to take some off because I think they would have discoloured the smurfs. I think it may be where stock has got hot in the summer months. I was going to try some of the Formula 9-1-1 but haven't got round to it yet.

[Syd Smurf]

I'm assuming removing the tags is a normal process for most of you?

It used to be, oh lordsmurf These days I keep the tags on however as it's better to keep any collectible as close to how you bought them as possible. Although you did bring up a very interesting point and one that I don't think has been fully discussed here (forgive me if I'm wrong) which is the potential damage the glue on the tags could do to the smurfs over time.

I recommend what Gerda says which is how I clean most of my smurfs. I also use a soft toothbrush (not my daily one) as a back up cleaner as it can get into grooves like in the hat or ears etc where dirt might of accumilated. I sometimes do rub heavy with an old nappy (a clean one of course) as some sticky bits do not come off with gentle persuasion....although most of the time I do this it is on the PVC part. I recommend the soaking part first though as that eliminates the need for heavy rubbing 98% of the time.

[lordsmurf]

Yeah, generally I'm one of those "keep everything" sort of collectors, where I keep boxes, bubbles packs, tags, etc ... but I don't think I can do it this time. The glue is rather slimey and henceforth cheap stuff.

I do feel the figures are getting ruined from it. Mine are kept in room temperatures that never go under 65-F or over 80-F, so I don't think mine is a heat/storage issue. The glue has stained white plastic to yellow on my Baby Smurf, on the underside.

Another thing I noticed is all the tags say the same thing, and not all the new figures are coming with tags. So unlike, say a Beanie Baby, I don't foresee value being affected (not to mention I hope to never have to sell mine!).

I saw the Formula 9-1-1 in the store here on this site, but I was hesitant to try anything "chemical" on them. Fear of paint loss.

I like the degreaser soap idea. But my handsoap and dishsoap don't have that, so I'll have to get to the store in coming days to pick up a bottle. That just might work.

Gonna drown Gargamel for the test.

I have an old Thundercats figure too with a similar issue. I'd never considered soaking in a degreaser soap, so I may put one leg in for a little while and see how it goes.

Have you got any suggestions on soaking time?
Maybe the concentration of soap to water?

[Syd Smurf]

I actually use Nappysan with warm water..Nappysan is used for..as you guessed it...Nappies I usually leave them in for about 20 minutes...however when I get big lots I put about 50 in at once and just start pulling them out straight away and giving them a gentle rub with a cloth....obviously I put back the dirtier ones back and give them more time while the cleaner ones come straight out.

[lordsmurf]

Nappies are diapers, right? (I learned that, coincidentally, a couple months ago).

And then Nappysan would be.... ? ... some sort of .... cleaner?

Odd that I can't find much on google about it, no company site or anything. I did see this, however: "Oxygen based whitening and cleaning products". Is that correct? If so, I'll see what I can get here along those lines. Maybe Oxyclean. I need to get some of that for my clothes (laundry) anyway.


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[eggie smurf]

I saw the Formula 9-1-1 in the store here on this site, but I was hesitant to try anything "chemical" on them. Fear of paint loss.

Hiya lordsmurf! The Formula 9-1-1 is excellent - it is made especially for PVC plastic and does not take off any paint. I have used it for the past year and it cleans better than dishsoaps etc. It's the only thing I use now...since you're in the US, it would be cheaper shipping getting it through their website. (If you were in the UK, I'd definitely recommend Karen though as she is the best ) The same company also makes Remove-zit which is very harsh and should be used for set in stains, like ink on the white parts of the PVC. Good luck

[eggie smurf]

Check out this post for pics: http://forum.bluecavern.com/viewtopic.php?t=4415

[Bunno Smurf]

Nappies are diapers, right? (I learned that, coincidentally, a couple months ago).

And then Nappysan would be.... ? ... some sort of .... cleaner?

Odd that I can't find much on google about it, no company site or anything. I did see this, however: "Oxygen based whitening and cleaning products". Is that correct? If so, I'll see what I can get here along those lines. Maybe Oxyclean. I need to get some of that for my clothes (laundry) anyway.


.

Um I think the problem might be that its spelt Napisan...not Nappysan ....try that it might help Below is a link with a pic and a little description.

http://www.paraquad.org.au/page.asp?partid=77

Theres is also a Napisan Oxyclean so its probably pretty similar to your stuff.

[Rachel]

Hi guys, a very interesting discussion. I was also in two minds about the tags and totally agree about trying to keep the product as near to it's original condition as possible BUT I have also noticed the problem with the glue and to be honest I actually hate the tags anyway as I personally think they totally spoil the smurfs so I have started taking them all off. The older figures don't have them anyway and although I do try and keep in mind any future potential value this isn't my main priority and I would like to have fun with our smurfs so the tags are coming off!

[Syd Smurf]

Nicely said Rach....I can't help but agree with your point of view

[Guest]

For my personal collection I tend to take the tags off. For me the problem seems to be with the earliest figures to use the wrap around tags, I guess cos the tags have been on them longer. It is only a very small percentage of customers who worry about tags. Let's face it, mosy of you guys buying on ebay are not thinking ok I'll bid on that lot because of a tag, unless it's a special one of course.

[Syd Smurf]

Let's face it, most of you guys buying on ebay are not thinking ok I'll bid on that lot because of a tag.

I might if it's a very rare smurf with a very cheap price tag

[DrunkSmurf]

I was also in two minds about the tags and totally agree about trying to keep the product as near to it's original condition as possible BUT I have also noticed the problem with the glue and to be honest I actually hate the tags anyway as I personally think they totally spoil the smurfs so I have started taking them all off.

I lean towards removing the tags. I'm no expert by any extent of the imagination. The few times I receive a smurf, still tagged, I'm thrilled--until I have to clean up the slime ring... A problem with smurfs may be that they were created to be "disposable" toys, rather than valuable collectibles. So, Schleich probably designed those tags with the assumption they'd be torn off in a year or so.

[lordsmurf]

"Slime ring" is a perfect description. I hate getting this goo on my fingers, I feel like I have to scrape away a layer of skin to get rid of it.

Anyway, the test failed. Soap and water won't cut it. I'm gonna have to use stronger stuff. That 9-1-1 cleaner is on my "to do" list. I have a couple figures with problems on whites and lights, so I may go for that other cleaner too, Fixit or whatever it was called.

I found a place where I can buy it on my own country, a few actually, so I'll be doing that in the near future.

Thanks all. I'll update this post with my experiences.