FigPin Care Guide: Keep Your Sailor Mercury Pin Looking New

Quick answer

Treat your Sailor Mercury FiGPiN as a finished metal-and-enamel object, not a toy: keep it in its poly-carbonate display box or on the soft rubber backer, dust it with a dry soft brush, and never soak it or use acetone, alcohol, or abrasive polish. Most damage comes from handling the front enamel with bare fingers and from storing the pin loose with other metal items.

What actually damages a FiGPiN finish

The Sailor Mercury FiGPiN is cast zinc alloy inlaid with hard synthetic color enamel and finished with an electroplated nickel coating. That combination is durable for a collectible, but the two surfaces behave differently: the enamel can pick up skin oils and look cloudy, while the nickel plating can show fine scratches or fingerprints if it rubs against harder metal. The clear poly-carbonate display box and black ABS base are part of the protection, not just packaging, so keep them even if you plan to display the pin outside the box.

The most common mistake is treating the pin like a keychain. Keys, coins, and other pins in a pocket or loose drawer will dull the plating and chip enamel at the edges over time. If you want to carry it, use the patented soft rubber backer on a bag strap where it will not knock against metal hardware.

Routine cleaning without stripping the finish

Dust the front and the character-specific background card with a clean, dry soft brush or a microfiber cloth. For fingerprints on the enamel, breathe lightly on the surface and wipe with a dry microfiber cloth; if that is not enough, use a barely damp cloth with plain water, then dry immediately. Do not use jewelry cleaner, acetone, rubbing alcohol, or abrasive pads, because they can attack the enamel or the nickel coating.

Clean the clear poly-carbonate box separately with a soft cloth and water only. The black ABS base can be wiped dry; do not submerge it, since water can sit in the seams and cloud the box.

Backing, storage, and travel

The FiGPiN soft rubber backer is designed to let the pin stand upright, so use it as a stand rather than forcing the pin into a cork board or fabric. When you store the pin, keep it in the museum-quality clear box with the background card behind it. If you remove the card, store it flat in a sleeve so it does not crease. For travel, wrap the pin in a soft cloth or return it to the box; do not let it slide against other pins.

Check the backer periodically for stretching or residue. If it loses grip, replace it with a FiGPiN-compatible backer rather than bending the pin post, which can loosen the enamel inlay.

Display ideas that protect the pin

Display the Sailor Mercury pin inside its clear poly-carbonate box on a shelf away from direct sun. The box keeps dust off the enamel and prevents accidental drops, and the character-specific background card gives it a finished look. If you prefer an open display, stand the pin on the rubber backer on a stable surface, or use a shallow acrylic riser so it cannot tip onto a hard floor.

Avoid hanging the pin where it will swing against a wall or other metal, and keep it out of humid rooms like bathrooms, where condensation can dull the nickel plating over time.

Your FiGPiN care routine, step by step

1. Set up a clean, dry workspace: Work on a soft cloth or tray so the pin cannot roll onto a hard floor. Keep water and cleaners away from the pin until you know what you are using. Checkpoint: if you are near a sink or hard counter, move to a safer surface first.
2. Dust the enamel and background card: Use a dry soft brush or microfiber cloth. Brush the enamel gently and wipe the character-specific background card flat; do not bend the card. Common mistake: pressing hard on the enamel with a dry cloth, which can leave micro-scratches.
3. Remove fingerprints with water only: Breathe on the enamel or use a barely damp cloth with plain water, then dry immediately with a clean microfiber cloth. Do not use alcohol, acetone, or jewelry cleaner. Checkpoint: if the cloth leaves streaks, it is too wet; switch to dry.
4. Clean the display box and base separately: Wipe the clear poly-carbonate box with a soft damp cloth and water, then dry. Wipe the black ABS base dry only; do not submerge it. Common mistake: soaking the box, which can trap water in the seams and cloud the plastic.
5. Re-seat the rubber backer: Push the pin post into the FiGPiN soft rubber backer until it stands upright. If the backer feels loose, replace it instead of bending the post. Checkpoint: the pin should stand on its own without wobbling.
6. Store or display with protection: Return the pin to its clear box with the background card, or stand it on the backer on a stable shelf out of direct sun and away from metal objects. Next step: if you carry the pin, attach it to a soft bag strap, not a keyring.

Product facts that affect care

• SAILOR MOON FIGPIN SAILOR MERCURY (866): Cast zinc alloy inlaid with hard synthetic color enamel and finished with an electroplated nickel coating. The enamel and nickel surfaces need different handling: dry dusting for enamel, no abrasives on the plating.
• SAILOR MOON FIGPIN SAILOR MERCURY (866): Stands up on a patented FiGPiN soft rubber backer and is encased in a museum-quality clear poly-carbonate display box with a black ABS plastic base. The box and backer are the safest default display and storage method, so keep both even if you display the pin openly.
• SAILOR MOON FIGPIN SAILOR MERCURY (866): Sized approximately 3 inches tall (76.2mm) and 3/32 inch thick (2.0mm). The slim profile means the pin can tip easily on a shelf, so a stand or box reduces the chance of a fall.