Dyeing A very long Handy adventure story

technically it should be a dual dyeing/repair prefix, but only one is allowed.

The adventure started back in May when I ordered Doll Legend jointed hands through ACBJD since they had a sale rather than though the eLuts website. Theoretically they should do a good match for Luts resin colors since Luts has subcontracted them for jointed hands and Alice spoke to them on my behalf and they said they could match, but when I finally received the hands earlier this month (omg what a long wait... dunno if i'd order from them again) their "Luts RSW color match" just looked like white compared to the pink undertones of the real luts RSW.
https://i.imgur.com/43IYYRZ.jpg
At least they posed okay, but still...

Spoiler

https://i.imgur.com/6ea0zqN.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/7ge5Go9.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/5h4XsOk.jpg
admittedly the body is blushed, but still it's pretty white...

So I decided to dye them the right color using rit dyemore super pink and daffodil yellow.
(before/after) pardon the terrible lighting
https://i.imgur.com/jrg1X5a.jpg

I did this while i only had my headcap on hand so i couldn't check the color with the arms, but it didn't look too off from the head cap.

But mistakes were made in the dyeing process when i tried to cut corners by not unstringing the hands. Don't do what I did guys. the resin loop/bar where the strings tie down to is fairly thin and at the temperatures used for dyeing (190F~200F/ 88C~93C), resin will soften, so the bar ended up breaking....
https://i.imgur.com/3Chj4KV.jpg

I tried super glue and let it set for 24h, but it was not to be.
when restringing, the super glue could not withstand the forces of the five elastics.
Then I was planning on using jewelry eyelet screws and a wire bar to make the bar for the elastics, but my dad suggested using the epoxy glue he had on hand (hah), JB weld where you mix a base and a catalyst.
https://i.imgur.com/OSQyw9t.jpg
and because i'm a sucker for pain and i didn't actually want to untie the original elastics. i gambled on gluing the bit back together with the elastic loops in. this time i did not lose the gamble.
https://i.imgur.com/nSIVKFu.jpg

I'm quite pleased to say that epoxy glue is muuuuch easier to use than super glue and it's quick initial set. this epoxy takes 4~6 hrs to set and completely set in 24h. so no worries of gluing fingers together and easier to wipe up the excess. I left the wrist and the bar to set with the epoxy under the light pressure of a small C clamp until the next day.
While waiting for the wrist repair i tried to keep all the finger parts together in the right orientation and position with sewing thread and created this very normal looking hand
https://i.imgur.com/eJdnwSC.jpg

after the epoxy set, I restrung the fingers a 5th time (including thread stringing times and stringing after super glue) in a manner like this. thread the hook/elastic through the finger segments, then hook on the finger tip. I recommend hand stringing finishing with and unstringing starting with the finger tips.
https://i.imgur.com/MejP0rn.jpg

Finally I got to the point where I was ready to blush the dyed/repaired hands
https://i.imgur.com/4hUsUXF.jpg

And after spraying sealant and under a proper camera with better lighting, I discover i made the hands slightly too yellow......... D: But i'm too lazy to erase the sealant and wipe off the dye....
so oh well. i continue on.
https://i.imgur.com/VMYrRhN.jpg
Letting his manicure dry in the iconic nail polish drying hand position
https://i.imgur.com/9HvYlUA.jpg

And finally after all's said and done
https://i.imgur.com/PHtoWPu.jpg

there def is a color difference between the hands and the arms, but ehhhh I think it's passable for now.
IMO it's a better match/looks better than when the hands were the white white state.

 

Lol I do have to admit it's astonishingly fun to play with the hands and they do pose well even without wiring or anything. So I find myself changing the hand positions daily. Currently he's picking his nose with one hand and doing the finger heart with the other.
Just that doll legend wait was a bit much, but hey at least i got it on sale. Some other brands I've heard will need some wiring to hold poses well.