Thread: Pharaonics Costume Preservation????

So, after much deliberation, I have ordered my first custom costume by Pharaonics. I ordered it from Audrena yesterday. I've seen a lot of posts on this site about the plastic beads on pharaonics costumes (and others) losing their color. I just laid down alot of money on this new costume and I was wondering if anyone has any tips on what can be done to prevent this kind of damage. Can you coat the beads in questions with something? Is it a matter of correct storage?

I couldn't stand losing out on the nude/seafoam costume on the swap meet page so I ordered one for myself. Audrena's web site doesn't show the costume detail all that well, so I don't really know what the beads will be like when it arrives. I'm just doing some advanced planning trying to retain the value of the costume.

Audrena, by the way, cut me a very good deal on that costume. It appears business has been a little slow, so if you need something, now might be a good time to call. It was my first order from her and she was very nice and helpful on the phone yesterday.

Hi,
I don't have too much advice on preservation, but I previously owned a red 1001 Nights (like the one you ordered), and for the most part, the beads are quite good. There's just this one particular plastic bead that hangs off the bottom of the fringey bits that loses ALL colour. They're on the skirt, so when you shimmy and move about, the beads hit against the skirt and because they're so crappy, they lose all colour. I think with these beads in particular, it's not about correct storage.

On my costume, I didn't realize they were losing colour until I decided to sell it and started looking at the costume more closely, so I had to cover it with red nail polish, which seemed to work. I don't know if clear nail polish would perhaps seal the colour on the plastic beads...I wonder if others have tried this.

I've used clear nail polish with success...

Careful! I tried the clear nail polish once and it actually started to take the color off the beads!

Originally Posted by mariyah13

Careful! I tried the clear nail polish once and it actually started to take the color off the beads!

Yikes! I wonder if it matters what kind you use?

In any case, she's right... best to be careful. Why not try one of the smaller plastic beads somewhere not obvious first?

Hhmmm, I could see how the polish might act almost like a solvent on a plastic bead. I'll have to look into some other options. You'd think they would use glass beads considering the price we pay for these costumes. Or at least a better quality plastic bead.

A friend was telling me about a kind of finishing laquer she got at the art supply store. I don't know what its called, but I'll ask her. If I try it, I'll let you know.

Originally Posted by mariyah13

A friend was telling me about a kind of finishing laquer she got at the art supply store. I don't know what its called, but I'll ask her. If I try it, I'll let you know.

That's very sweet Mariyah, thank you. I seem to remember reading somewhere here on Bhuz how someone had used some sort of spray finish on the beads. She was describing taking the costume outside and covering all but the beads in question and then spraying it on. Surida maybe?

I, too, have purchased Pharaonic costuming from Audrena's with this kind of beading, so I know exactly what you're talking about. To be honest, I end up removing some and replacing them with swarovski crystals or colored jewels to give my costumes even more 'bling' and a richer look. If you don't want to go through this trouble and just preserve what you already have, I would say to always avoid spraying alcohol-based products on embellishments such as sequins, beads and plastic decorations. Alcohol fades some fabrics, so use with caution. You might want to check at a local artstore and tell them exactly what you're trying to protect/preserve and 9 times out of 10 they'll have the type of spray you need. Hope I could help.

~Andreana

Originally Posted by AndreanaRaks

... I end up removing some and replacing them with swarovski crystals or colored jewels to give my costumes even more 'bling' and a richer look. ..
~Andreana

thats exactly the same what I'm doing with my mine, especially with my great loops. But I got a new Pharaonics last month and - surprise - there were swarovski beads instead of the plastic beads!! Let's hope the best

There was a thread somewhere about a fix for the Pharonics beads. Ill see if I can find it :)

Here it is :)
http://www.bhuz.com/forum/fitness-be...=plastic+beads