That steel antique symbol of the new year of the XX century - cotton and plastic Santas, occupying once honorary post at the elegant Christmas tree. Some of their representatives still stored in the attics of old houses and are waiting for their master. Restore Santa Claus era of the Soviet Union - employment fashionable and exciting. Wizards, returning life to old toys, share their experience on the internet. Perhaps, their advice will serve as an inspiration to the reader.
Content
- Cotton-fabric toys
- Processing details
- Assembling products
- Restoration of plastic and foam
Cotton-fabric toys
Podstavochny began producing toys in the prewar years, when New Year celebrations returned to the traditional framework. Initial materials - papier-mâché and wool - the most exposed to pollution and damage by insects, but it was over so Santa Claus will be interesting work.
The main rule - do no harm. It is possible to treat with care "native" makes toys save its image. Masters never throw out old materials and new use in case of emergency.
The main stages of work on the cotton-fabric toy:
- Product disassembly;
- disinfection wool wash parts of the fabric;
- straightening Podstavochny cone;
- remover "non-native" paint;
- drawing faces;
- layering sizing and drying padded parts;
- applying a paint layer (if the toy was painted in production).
Processing details
Ear part (the edge cap, collar, beard) carefully disassembled and laid out in transparent bags with inscriptions. Wool to remove the layers of the body better, to identify and remove accumulations of larvae.
Face mask is usually easy to separate and process separately. All components are placed under a quartz lamp for a few hours or in the freezer for a day. The old wool has a dirty-yellow hue. It's not scary: Well-assembled toy, this color will give old world charm.
In the case of stubborn dirt and odor from cotton can be washed by hand. After drying the fluff fibers, and compressed layers, giving details of the original appearance.
The cone was made mostly of cardboard. If you fix the dent is not possible, it can be strengthened by filling the inside pieces of foam or inserting the old cone of a new more durable material.
On the face of Santa Claus papier-mâché or a composite dust removed with a damp cloth. If there is a layer of paint later, it is better to rinse solvent lacquer polish. Degrease cologne. To cover cracks, chips, restore lost parts of the face can be finished with a mixture of papier-mache.
Mask stained with acrylic paint similar tone. Skilled craftsmen and restorers are advised not to change the facial featuresNo matter how unsuccessful they may seem: this restoration, rather than alteration. After thorough drying part cover matte varnish.
Early copies of the Santa Clauses were made with wax masks. In this case, use oil paints and eliminate defects or heated metal spatula for soldering paste.
Assembling products
If there was no doll's head (mask was attached to wool), you can make it out of the crumpled piece of foil, obtyanuv knitted cloth. This will save the original cotton, which probably lost volume. For pig mask glued and fixed to the cone using a wooden stick and a strong adhesive. Next proceed to mounting parts of cotton.
To work boiled starch paste (1.5 v. water 2 tbsp. l. starch), cool it and begin to bonding the first wool layer on the cone and head. Each layer is recommended to dry for 1-3 days. If the old cotton is not enough under it put a new one. Model gloves and boots. Recent layers smeared with a thick paste to form a crust.
Finished toy dressed up in a fabric or garment dyed acrylic paint to match, as much as possible approximation to the original.
Restoration of plastic and foam
Santas era of 60s made from better materials - foam and plastic. Typically undergoes deterioration paint layer. Restoration of the plastic product is carried out in 3 stages:
- removing old paint;
- cleaning and priming;
- application of new paint and decor.
For paint removers with the usual plastic used acetone. Prolonged contact of the solvent should be avoided with a clean surface: some plastics can be damaged by them.
Stubborn dyes may get cleaned mechanically. Pieces of fine sandpaper processed whole figure of Santa Claus. Then, the surface is degreased with alcohol and applied to foam sponge acrylic primer. After drying proceed to staining.
Products made of foam is treated only with aqueous solutions and paints. Toy brush thoroughly washed with soap and water, dried and coated with primer for special aerosol foam or an aqueous dispersion paint. Dents align finished weight of papier-mache. With strong defects figure okleivayut napkins using starch paste.
Paints in both cases use acrylic, which are thin and fix the water-based varnish. If desired, dull design can revive the Soviet-era decoupage technique that will emphasize vintage toys. It is only important not to overload its traditional image of a modern synthetic decor.
Animated Santa Claus with happy to take its place under the tree, and will certainly bring good luck in the New Year.
