Today's topic stems from an issue with older plush and beanies, particularly from the 90's. The popular trend was to add vinyl for a special effect. You may have come across a plush with this issue or found a plush you've been wanting but it was damaged. I'm going to go over some ways to hunt down these plush, preserving them, and repairing them!
First, I'll go over where to purchase these plush. Maybe vinyl is your thing or you are a fan of older anime and games? Series I know specifically for these plush are Digimon beanies, Final Fantasy VII and IX UFO catchers, and other older plush from the Sailor Moon / Yu Yu Hakusho era. Some newer plush (like Pokemon Sword and Shield's Marnie) have this vinyl though, too, so be careful when purchasing!
Banpresto seems to be a common company that produced these plush. You'll want to use the following terms on western sites: Banpresto SEGA Plush UFO Catcher Vintage SERIES name (Digimon, for example) Plush Doll For Japanese sites: Banpresto - バンプレスト SEGA - セガ UFO Catcher - まんまる Stuffed / Plush - ぬいぐるみ SERIES name (Digimon for example:) デジモン PLUSH LINE name (Digimon beanies, for example, are called kuta-chara: ) くたキャラ For help buying from and more detailed information on finding items, please read my previous article.
You want to keep in mind the condition of the plush. If you're not willing to repair it yourself you may want to hold out for mint condition. Whether or not the plush has hang tags or tush tags can be a deciding factor also (this usually makes the plush more expensive, especially if the tag isn't bent or faded).
Secondly, now that you have a good condition plush, how do you preserve it?! The only ways I have found to preserve them is by storing them in some form of a container. I don't recommend the plastic bags they usually come in or something like a ziplock as the vinyl will peel over time. Leaving it exposed to the air also has this effect and at a worse rate. You can use any plastic or glass display that would fit. Just make sure the plush doesn't stick to the walls too much.
As you can see, my Aerith UFO Catcher has been stored in this container since I obtained her mint in package. There is almost no wear to the vinyl on her shoes. However, her eyes have faded a bit. This is another common problem with these kinds of plush and unfortunately, I don't have a remedy for it. Try not to store them in direct sunlight is the best option I can give.
Lastly, how do you repair already damaged vinyl? I have a few experiences, but it all comes down to stripping away the existing vinyl and painting over it. I had a friend use acrylic paint on her Tifa plush I gifted her, but most of my Discord recommends fabric paint instead, like this one:
If you want to go the acrylic paint route, I can personally recommend this brand: Gently flake off the vinyl with an old paint brush or something similar. Do NOT use soap or any other chemicals as it can tarnish the fabric. If you use water, make sure the rag is barely damp and lightly dab. You don't want to get water inside the plush. Once stripped and free of any specs, you can then begin to use the fabric paint to repair the damaged areas. Try to match the paint as close as possible. I would take a picture of the plush in normal and flash light and then compare it at the store. Also keep in mind when buying online that monitors can effect color, too. BONUS ADVICE: Please, if you decide to sell a refurbished plush, make the buyer aware. Some want original only. Representing a refurbished plush as new is not only dishonest, but rude. Notice that some plush have plastic / bead eyes. In most cases you can fix it up with a little permanent marker! Just be sure to let it dry completely before storage or displaying. If the white is removed or damaged, I've used the following white out pen for specific projects:
You can also try normal India ink from the bottle, but keep a steady hand. India ink also tends to be a bit runny, so stir well / test your pen before applying.
I hope this article helped you with your plush and beanie woes! If you have any other advice you'd like or any tips we didn't cover here, please let us know in the comments!
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Author: ShindoW
I am a anime and video game enthusiast living in Texas. I have been collecting since 2005. During that time I've collected a variety of merchandise and knowledge to help other collectors. Archives
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