Basic Doll Care

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser!! You can get it at a grocery store -- it's like a sponge with cleaner in it that you just wet down and use to remove smudges. It's fabulous, and does wonders to get rid of random stains from clothes or dirt.

I can't really think of any positions NOT to put a doll in, although leaving them kneeling for a long time might loosen the stringing slightly (but it can be tightened, so no harm done).

Congrats on your Ttori-on-the-way!

-- Andi

 

I've found that oxyclean wipes work well to remove dirt and fabric stains. Leaving them in direct sunlight can cause them to yellow more quickly (the resin yellows somewhat over time) same with smoking around them. I don't worry about taking mine out in the sun to snap some pics or go somewhere, but I don't leave them sitting in it in a regular basis.

Both my dolls stand very well, but if I'm not right there, I sit them down, just in case whatever they're standing on gets jostled--I don't want them to take a face plant. They can chip or break, but they're a lot tougher than they look, so you don't need to be too paranoid about playing with him : )

 

Don't use a Magic Eraser on your Ttori's face-up. ^^; It'll take it off.

 

Welllll Some things I have learned are....

1. NEVER EVER EVER use acetont to removt a face up (( I ustd some on Kyran's resin and I washed it immediatly after the face up was off but his eyelid mlted resulting in major panicking and much fighting with the sandpaper.... He looks normal again now thank goodness!))
2. Do not leave him around pets that like shiny things... I had set him down on the kitchen counter and my cat sphinx came up and kept trying to play with his necklace and messed up his blushing...))
3. Don't Set him anywher that isn't stabl... He could fall

DO'S


1. Do love him ^^ that's the most important (( Ttori's are soooo Cute ))
2. and spoil him ^^
3. and do take care of him ^^


And that's about all I have Hope it helps !

 

Yes, Mr. Clean Sponge thingies are a godsend. My little nari-pon was getting smudges on her heels because I always fiddle with her feet and they took the smudges right off. It was just like magic! However, due to a recent thread someone said that the sponge was leaving scratches on their doll. This worried me, at first; but I decided that the best way to prevent that would be to have a sponge ONLY for the doll. I've cleaned mine several times and haven't noticed any scratches at all. And do not use the sponge on the face otherwise you'll probably have a makeupless doll.

Alot of people keep their dolls out of the sunlight...supposedly, the tend to get yellow over time. And, well, smoking will yellow anything.

Lastly, spoil the hell out of them...I find that it gets Evangeline to pose better especially on days where I let her stay up late and watch CSI. XD

 

Don't leave him standing up, even though he is an MSD (smaller size is more stable), as there's always the possibility of him toppling over.

 

Huh, that's strange -- Magic Eraser shouldn't take off a *sealed* face-up -- did you do the face-up yourself, or was it a face-up from Luts? I use Magic Eraser on my dolls' faces all the time without a problem (especially since they sometimes get a little grungy on the cheeks and chin from handling/posing).

Zombie, glad to see your post is generating lots of advice!! :>

-- A

 

I guess something that I do is I try not to rub my hands over their blushing or their faceups too much because I've heard horror stories about faces smearing and gorgeous body blushings rubbing off. Then again, maybe I'm just paranoid >.< lol!

 

Please check a reply at the bottom of the page if you can help me with some arrival questions!!

So bear with me, we were all newbies once, right?

I am reading up and doing all of my research before Miranda arrives on proper doll care, and I have some questions that were not answered in either Annie-chan's awesome tutorial or the AngelRegion (or Dolls & Friends) websites. So bear with me as I ask questions you may have seen before... I read a lot of posts, but there are sooo many...

For the record, Miranda is a Angel Region Diana-Pride mold. I ordered her from Dolls & Friends.

1) Sanding. I ordered a basic kit so everything is assembled and Miranda has an incredible faceup and life is beautiful. However, the site says nothing of a sanded or unsanded body, and I definately do NOT trust myself with unstringing/restringing. My question: Sanding -- is she all set, or do I need to have her sent out to be sanded? I'd assume that if she was coming fully assembled and everything, I'd be all set. But you never know. I checked the other offerings for the same mold (where the doll is not assembled) and the site clearly says that the body is unsanded. Help!

2) Sealing. Miranda is coming to me with a faceup by Angel Region and I imagine they'd seal that. Does she need to be sealed and does anyone have a tutorial on how I should do this myself should it have to be done?

3) Clothing. I read somewhere that my girl will fit into SD clothing. She stands 58 cm -- from the Angel Region Fair line. I just want to be certain of her sizing before I order her a wardrobe full of clothing that won't fit. O_O Also, I want to be certain of her shoe size before I spend lots of money on that...

4) Yellowing? I read in the FAQ's that some dolls will yellow over time. Does anyone have an Angel Region doll that they've either seen yellow (and if so, I offer my sympathies! -_- Poor thing!!) or a doll that they've prevented from yellowing? I'm terrified that my baby will yellow -- I'd be heartbroken!

5) Haircare. What sort of brushes do you use on your doll wigs? (RE: Do you need to purchase special brushes? I have wire wig brushes that I use for people wigs, but I am worried that they might be to harsh on doll wigs.) I don't plan on changing her hair (I love her wig!!), so I want to take the best care of it that I can. Also, what do you clean it with? Will normal wig shampoo work on a doll wig?

Thank you guys in advance!! ^-^

 

i can't speak for this paticular brand of doll but,
1) sanding--some dolls come without their seams sanded. you could do it yourself, have it done, or leave it, most of the time the seams aren't that big. there are tutorials on how to do this, and it is quite easy, or you could have someone else do it.
http://www.denofangels.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40256

2) the faceups done by doll companies don't need to be sealed, but if you do end up sealing her for some reason, use mr. super clear or testors dullcote, depending on what's sold in your area. testors are at pretty much any craft store in the US and in wal-marts.
http://www.denofangels.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9200

3) sorry, i'm no good with sizing ^^'

4) i'm not entirely sure, but i've read that all resin yellows slowly over time. just keep her out of sunlight for the most part and clean her up if she needs it, and she should be fine. to clean stains you can use magic erasers from volks or luts, or you can buy the mr. clean magic eraser at any walmart or drugstore. these will take off stains and such, but they will also take off msc/testors coating and blush. for lesser problems, just use some dish soap and water ^^

5) use a brush that has spread out bristles that won't pull too hard on the wig, and one that hasn't been used for any other purpose so it won't have oils in it. i use a pocket-sized brush meant for long hair, it has few bristles that are flexible. i know you can use wig shampoo and conditioner that can be found at wig or salon supply stores. i've also read regular conditioner will work, but i haven't tried this.
http://www.denofangels.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20850&highlight=conditioner

goodluck~

 

Wow, thanks. That answered lots of my questions. I am still a little confused on sealing, though -- do you have to seal her whole body or is it just her face because of the faceup? I was thinking for some reason that sealing might prevent or slow down yellowing if at all... I mean, Miranda's not going to be basking in the sunlight anyway (gotta protect that beautiful pale skin!!) so I guess I'm not so worried about that.

Now if only I could find someone to help with sizing... thanks again, though. You were very helpful!

 

I also use toothbrushes for brushing wigs.

 

Huh. Good idea. I think before her arrival, I'm going to make a little toolbox of grooming items. So far the list is Mr. Clean Magic Erasers and toothbrushes... any other recommendations?

 

baths are needed every now and then, so make sure you've got some oil-reducing soap, like dish soap. soaps made for humans have oils to moisturize, so you need something without

 

The only reasons I can see for sealing the whole doll would be if a) she has full-body blushing, or b) she's like my Tristan and will stain if you look at them cross-eyed. (Obitsus do that - they're vinyl)

There should be a measurement section as a sticky in the sewing section. I've used it to make clothes for dolls I don't have, and it's all worked out.

 

I have only ordered my first two babies, a BW Moon and a NS Chiwoo.

I have read a few tips to keep them clean and looking good: no oil based products for one.

Any other tips and suggestions to keep in mind? Do you bathe these beautiful things?

 

Mr Clean Magic Erasers, for sure! ^^ The dolls will get dirty over time from handling, and all you need to do is wipe them down with a damp sponge. Not just any old sponge, but the magic erasers, ones you find in the cleaning aisle. ^^ For stuff like faceup and stain removal, try brush cleaner. Or for stubborn spots, rubbing alchohol will take just about anything off. If it's really REALLY stubborn, light sanding with some very fine grain sandpaper works, but that's for really stubborn stains. If your boys are coming with luts faceups then it probably isn't a huge priority. Hope I've helped. ^^

 

I clean mine with acitone on a cotton ball, then rinse throughly with cold water.

but this can NOT be done on Cp resin, I hear.

But Mr. Clean magic eraser works for 90% of everything. So much so, be careful not to use it on faceups or tattoos you want to keep.

 

My boys are CP with face up. How would having a face up make it not so.. scary?

What is it I need to know in particular about CP dolls that might be different from other dolls?

 

Luts seals their face-ups, so getting their faces wet is safe. Mr. Clean Magic Erasers are your best bet for cleaning up surface dirt--but if you want to give them a good soaking/scrubbing? Unstring the doll completely and wash them from there(Just to be safe, make sure you don't dunk your face-upped head in it--eyelashes and all that.). Using a mild soap is best--though I've heard a bit of dish soap can be okay. I gave a Luts body I had once a good scrub-down with baby shampoo. Worked like a charm, and didn't damage the resin at all. When the doll is dry, string 'em back up.

Luts resin is said to sometimes react badly to acetone and certain brush cleaners. Just avoid using those on them to err on the side of safety.

Also, Luts seals the face-ups, but not the bodies.

 

Now that Miranda has finally arrived, I have some more dumb N00B Questions for everyone... Please pardon my newbism.

Wigs -- I took Miranda out today and I noticed that her wig kept sliding off her head. Is there a way to secure her wig that I am just somehow missing? I can't seem to get her headcap open, either. It is supposed to open, yes? (It twists very slightly to the left or right, but does not fully open... I'm afraid to give it a good pull, cause I don't want to break her!)

Undies -- You'd think if you were spending $700 on a doll, they'd throw in a pair of little undies or socks, but alas, none. Anyone have any local stores that they can recommend to get a simple pair of white undies? I'm, of course, going to check out the market place ASAP, but funding is tight, so if anyone had a great, local & cheap solution, that'd be fantastic. (AC Moore only sells 18" American Girl sized clothes. Damn. T-T)

Wig Care -- I know I asked before, and my searches have been kinda pitiful to say the least, but are there any household cleaners (and I don't mean like, Windex or Fabric Softener) that one can use to clean a wig? Is people shampoo & conditioner too harsh on a wig?? I wouldn't dream of trying it without consulting you fine people first. ^-^ ((EDIT)) -- Just kidding. I re-read that link from above and everyone seems to think that a touch of regular conditioner will work just fine. Yay!

THANK YOU SO MUCH. I'm getting ready to upload some arrival pictures of Miranda right now! ::bow:: I hope you all love her as much as I do!

 

First, congrats on getting Miranda! You must be super-excited!

Let me give you a hand with -some- of your questions, and I had many of the same ones when I got my girl, so they aren't bad at all.

Some wigs have elastic, but in my case... even after I -added- elastic, I still had trouble keeping it on all the time until I put velcro on her head and on the wig. Since then, all has been good. I recommend it, for the sure-fire solution but there are other more creative methods I've read about.

It's a pity they don't give us undies. T__T I -still- need to buy my girl undies, even though I stole some bloomers from an old cheap porlecian doll. Some very cheap stores sell porlecian dolls which are generally badly-made but you can steel their bloomers. Also, in my case, I stole the dress too which ended up fitting my girl in a cute way. Some people have harvested wigs and eyes from such dolls too, if your want to be really Frankenstein about it. Another solution, which I've also used... is taking a sock. Yes, a sock. The toe part of a sock look like underwear if you squint, you cut it off at an appropriate point, and cut two holes so her legs can get through. With minimal sewing, you finish the edges so they don't fray or such and it all looks nice. Viola, home-made underwear with minimal sewing Also, since you're ruining the sock, you might want to cut another strip of it, finish it, and call it a push-up bra. xD I suggest choosing that nice lonely single sock lying in the drawer that might have a nice pattern on it. ^_-

I'm not very good at Wig Care at all but I was once tried using Biosilk conditioner, I think, and it worked very nicely. Be prepared to style it yourself afterwards, and perhaps stock up on mini-rollers. In absence of that, you can make your own rollers our of household items (may I suggest pen or marker caps?).

In theory, sealing is supposed to help prevent yellowing, especially with the MSC that's especially for sun protection. In reality, I've heard of enough people who sealed and -still- had yellowing. So, I don't think it has much of an impact but it's worth trying. The only really good way to keep your doll from yellowing is to always keep them in the shade when they're outside and try not to over-do on the sun exposure. Remember, that place on your table that always has sun shining on it may not be a good place to permanently keep your doll. My girl lives in a glass-protected shelf, where she has a lovely basket to sit in and it's been decorated for her. ^_^ Keeping behind glass, if possible, helps cut down on your doll gathering dust... so you don't have to worry so much that you've been busy, not picked her up this week, and suddenly you see she's dusty. T__T I've never yet had to give my girl a bath (in the year I had her), but occasional wipes with the Mr.Clean Eraser are rather essential. ^_^

Well, I think that's about it! Feel free to PM me if you need more help, and I'll try to answer.

 

Depending on the wig and the head, a nice thick rubberband will often be enough to keep it from slipping. I've found that long or curly wigs tend to get tangled in the velcro. I have also used a stick on rug gripper that can be cut to size--it can also tangle, though. No one sees what is under a wig. I've adjusted wigs that are too big by taping a folded kleenex on top of the skull to fill in the gap and added the rubber band for grip.

People use shampoo and conditioners and hair gels on the doll wigs. Care varies depending on whether they are fur or synthetic, curly or straight. There are some threads that give suggestions for curling and straightening wigs as well.

 

You're so kind!! Thank you for your fast reply.

I've done a bit more researching on the yellowing factor for Miranda, and I've decided for the moment not to worry about it. She isn't going to be in direct sunlight unless she's out with me, and even then I don't plan on letting her go out for a sunbath or anything. If I notice anything, then of course I will immediately take action to try to prevent further damage, but as you said, everywhere I've read the reply to sealing is that it doesn't even help, which is so sad. T-T

I also re-read that post on cleaning a wig, and everyone seemed to think just a little bit of conditioner and lukewarm water would do the trick. Miranda's wig is literally stick-straight (which I looove), but it's very succeptible to tangles due to its length. I'm hoping not to have to wash it too often and just be able to brush it when I can. I just don't know where I can conveniently purchase a bottle of wig shampoo for her. T-T Plus, I'd rather just use what I've already got if it won't do any damage anyway.

Insofar as undies go, my mom said the same thing. I'm going to take a look through some of my old (cheap) porcelain dolls just for some undergarments. Otherwise, after Otakon, I'm just going to have a pair of simple white bloomers and a shift made for her so she won't be nekkid under her lovely lolita clothes. (it was so embarassing when the woman at JoAnns today kept TOUCHING HER OUTFIT ::grr:: and noticed she had no under clothes. This is why I didn't want anyone touching her. T-T)

Miranda's wig has elastic, and once I secure it it will normally stay put for a little while. However, when it falls off, I have to stop what I'm doing to rearrange it again and it's getting a touch inconvenient, especailly cause she doesn't like being bald. O_O I might give the velcro a try... I thought for one reason or another, there was supposed to be a bit that got tucked under the head cap, which is why I asked about that... Good to know.

I'm still such a n00b. :: I'm just now getting over the fact that yes -- it's okay to hold and touch and play with her!! I'm just so afraid I'll do something wrong and destroy Miranda!!

 

I'm so glad this wig stuff happens to everyone. I honestly thought I was doing it all wrong. Haha!! ^-^

The rubber band idea is a very good one. I might still give the velcro a try, especially since I think I have some left over from another project. Her hair is very straight and very long, so I'm hoping that just using a simple shampoo/conditioner in some lukewarm water will clean it out. I've touched it a lot, naturally, and I'm afraid that all the oils from my skin are going to make the wig gross after awhile...

 

I use rubberbands for my kids (though with my tiny I just glue his wig onto his headcap.) and I wouldn't worry about yellowing.

myself,I dont' like putting underwear on my kids. it always bunches up and slides off at the most inconvient times. O.<

 

My only concern without undies (or bloomers at the very least) is that Miranda is a lolita, and if her skirts lift, I don't want her to be naked underneath. O_O

When you use a rubber band -- I just want to make sure I get this, cause I'm kinda dumb sometimes -- you just put it around the crown of their head and then just slide the wig on over that, right?? I mean, that kind of makes sense because then the wig would have something to grab onto as opposed to the smooth resin of the head... I just had to ask before I tried something dumb. Haha!!

 

best way to find out to do it, and yeah, that's how you do it.
really you shouldn't be so afraid, just read around the forum and avoid sharpie markers. otherwise, there isn't too much you can do to hurt em.

 

I need a little help with basic doll care. I'm not talking about "ZOMG! I can't touch my doll!1!!1!" I know not to touch the faceup, and not to use oil or markers. I know you can clean them with a volks sponge or mr clean magic eraser. Is there anything else I should know? How durable are they really? Anything I should be doing on a regular basis to maintain them? Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

 

There's really not a lot that has to be done to them. I clean my doll's body thouroughly with the Volks sponge every month or so, and his hands a little more often, since they get dirtiest fastest. Periodically I wipe the underside of his chin down with a wet cloth (sometimes a soapy one) since it gets dirty from the way I pose his head.

Wigs. . . it varies. If you have a super long one, I'd reccomend keeping it braided for daily use, so that it doesn't tangle. I haven't had to do much else to any of my wigs, but I will warn you to be patient and gentle when undoing tangles. The ends of my super long white wig are really thrashed because I didn't take my time.

 

If the ends of the wig gets tooo messy and 'gross' you can use a low temp flat iron to make it nice again (I used a $15 "Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen one), but make sure it's low temp because if it's too strong it will melt your wig o.o

 

Oh wow! Let me see if I can remember all the best things I've learned from DOA, since joining... Encyclopedia 101...


(1) The cleaning sponges = very excellent and magic! But, they will remove all paint & all sealant (Mr Super Clear, etc). So keep the sponges away from your doll's face. And if you get the body blushed or sealed, avoid using the sponge anywhere you don't want to get stripped.

Regular soap and water will take off most regular dirt. As Kimber says, the doll's forehead, ears, hands, & underneath the chin will get grimy from posing the head! Soap & water usually cleans that up.

For more stubborn scuffs, I use liquid dish-detergent, and use one of those scrubby-scouring pads-- the gentle kind, that's marked as "Teflon-safe".
Anything more stubborn than that, then I use the cleaning sponge.
I don't know how my boys get so scuffed. I suspect that they always forget to take their boots off before they have orgies.


(2) Change the doll's clothes frequently... or at least check underneath its clothes to make sure that it's not staining. Even the most colorfast clothes can leave a little stainage if left on for a long time. Especially in friction places like butt/crotch, elbows, armpits, wrists, etc.
And ESPECIALLY-especially if you live in a humid climate! I notice staining happens faster when it's damp.


(3) If your doll doesn't have removable hands (we the Volks One-Touch system), a fun tip for getting pointy-fingered dolls into delicate sweaters or lace garments: Put his socks over his hands before you dress him! ^.^


(4) When you travel together, cover the doll's face in a face-bubble. (If you didn't get a face-bubble, use a domed Slurpee drink-lid.)
In a pinch, you can swaddle the head with cloth or bubble-wrap... but be aware of delicate eyelashes. They'll get squashed by your good intentions, if you put the wrapper directly over the lashes.

Travelling with your doll out in the open is fun, but it only takes a split-second for spills to happen, or a stranger's elbow to come smashing out of nowhere on the train, or rainstorms to start, or diarrhetic birds to fly overhead... ;;


(5) Keep the doll out of strong sunlight, if you can. Most resin will fade, yellow, or change color over time, even if you care for it nicely... but sun exposure quickens the process. We all wanna play with our dolls, not keep em locked in the dark!! So, you may have to choose a level of yellowing/fading that you can tolerate. Or else, keep your doll locked in the dark. ^.^

I have some tan & beautywhite dolls, which are even more sensitive, so I compromised: I cover everybody with a drape during the day, when I'm not around, & uncover them when I'm home.


(6) Do NOT let your doll near your credit-card. Otherwise, one day you'll answer the door, and you'll find a repo-man there waiting to take your car & your furniture & all your grandmother's china-- because there's a mysterious $9000 charge for DollHeart boots on your Visa Platinum.

Ermm, not that I know anything about this firsthand. Happened to a friend of mine. Yeah.


(7) Chii & Kimber are right about the wigs... cool irons & patient detangling. For everyday detangling, use your fingers. Brushing/combing stresses the plastic fibers & can make them kinky. Brush from the very tips upward... & grip the hair firmly just above the tangles, so you're not pulling the whole hair length.

Somebody recommended to me: Find a wig-supply shop or site, and get a wig-comb (metal teeth that are set far apart) if you use a lot of fiber wigs.


(8) If you're getting a tan doll, basic care becomes a whole separate field of science. Hoo boy! :P Another time.

n-joy...

 

Dont touch the faceup a lot, at this point I dont touch their faces at all, and position their heads by the ears. You can clean with Mr clean sponge but eventually it will take off the faceup, it is a mild abrasive. Be careful cleaning or touching the "corners" of the face, they wear faster, by corners I mean the eyelids, noses- parts that have an edge.
Dont submerge your entire doll in water, it destroys the elastic if left wet.

 

Oxyclean is good for getting fabric stains off of resin. I used to be able to find them in little wipes, but I haven't seen them sold like that in awhile. Now I buy the powder you mix with water.

If you give your doll a soap and water bath, it's best to unstring them first. If the elastic gets wet and doesn't dry properly, it can rot and eventually break.

It's usefull to bring a kit of restringing supplies to doll meets, conventions, any major trips where you have your doll--just in case something should happen.

Velcro works well to hold wigs on, and a hot glue gun is a great way to get the velcro to stick to the headcap. Hot glue peels right off if you need to take the velcro off and doesn't leave a residue.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head : )

 

That's also good advice if your doll wears fancy rings that you don't like taking off. I'm going to have to try that next time I change Azure's shirts; sounds much easier than taking his hands off completely (even though he does have the one-touch system)!

 

Wow, even MORE great hints! I may not be a newbie but I am learning a lot of great stuff here from you guys too!

More:

(1) The Volks & Mr Clean sponges aren't just abrasive... it's impregnated with some kinda formaldehyde solution. So it really wipes off everything it can touch! I learned this when I made a bald-spot in the blushing on the back of Kaiya's hand; thank goodness I didn't get to his face.


(2) Glue on resin: Don't use anything acetone-based, like "Fabri-Tak"! I don't know what's in that stuff, but it took the nailpolish off my thumbnail, just before I was about to glue Rowan's earring on with it. It'll surely damage the resin. Close call, that. *whew*

Use hot-glue, epoxy, or Elmer's white glue. I hear Gorilla Glue is OK too. Anybody else know-- what other kinds of glue are safe?


(3) Get yourself a hemostat (scissor-type clamp). Those things are life-savers. A restringing-kit is a great idea, indeed, to bring to meetups. (I should start doing that myself!)


(4) Another fun dressing trick: Before putting a long-sleeved jacket over a long-sleeved shirt, secure the cuffs around the doll's wrists with a miniature elastic, & then hook the elastic over his thumb. When you pull the coat sleeves on, the shirt-cuff should stay down! Then you don't have to go fishing for it.

Or, you can stick a crochet-hook or bodkin up the sleeve afterwards, & pull the cuff out. This is a pain but it works. Crochet hooks & bodkins are more lifesaving tools... available in any sewing shop, a million uses for dolls.


(5) Best accidental discovery ever: The "Oral-B Cross Action Power" electric toothbrush replacement-heads come with a little plastic doohickey, to remove the old heads with. This doohickey is the exact shape & size for a PERFECT DOLL SHOE-HORN. I can't manage DollHeart boots without it! And since we have about 7500 pairs of DollHearts, that's quite an endorsement.


(6) Folks tell me Baking-Soda Toothpaste Trick works well to de-yellow resin that has gotten discolored in the sun, too. Someone also mentioned soaking in Polident (denture cleanser), which isn't abrasive.
Thank you Catdancer for the tip about clothing stains.. I didn't know toothpaste was good for that! My kids wear lots of black, & don't always want the cleaning sponge. ^^


(7) Sueding is a good trick for basic stability... Put a rough/sticky material inside the socket, and the ball won't move so much. Mostly, people use plivver from craft shops (strips of low-grade suede), glued in with white glue. But I have also heard of using silicone caulking. Which sounds great because you can spread it where you want it! Haven't tried that yet myself either.


(8) To finagle complicated poses for photoshoots, 3 tricks I use:

-To hold the doll's arm up or in a bent position, cut little pieces of eraser (or clay, or eye-putty, or wadded paper, or whatever), and wedge that into the joint. Then just make sure it's hidden from the camera. Esp good for elbows! I use bits of a kneaded eraser, because that's what I have lying around, but you could stick anything in there.

-Stock up on lots of little doll-sized pillows. Great for supporting backs, butts, limbs, etc. in funky positions while you work.

-Blu-Tak (Fun-Tak, sticking-plaster, whatever) can be used to temporarily stick anything to anyone. Props and sex-scenes wouldn't be the same without it. Most of the world's problems can be solved with Blu-Tak.


(9) For stringing and wiring, there are a few discussions & tutorials about that already here on DOA. It's worth a search for the technical details.

My, there's a lot of things to know. ^_^

 

Hi guys, sorry if this is a bit oot ^_^
I'd like to know how do you wash your dolls clothes in order to stop staining?
What do you have to use? Thanx! ^_^

 

they sell little sheets that you put in the wash with them that soaks up the extra dye. I imagine they are sold with other laundry detergent products. Also, I recommend using baby detergent as its most gentle. Some people hand wash in the sink, and both the sheets and the baby detergent would work for this also.

 

A cheap fix for clothing and wigs that stain is soaking them in a vinegar/water solution. 1 part vinegar, 3 parts tepid water. (Don't do this for mohair wigs, as they are likely to felt.)

Another option, if you've got the money to spend on it, is to use Synthrapol, which can be bought at www.dharmatrading.com

 

Ooh, thanks to Hana for the Synthropol tip! That sounds much less smelly!

I normally just soak all dark-colored clothing in white vinegar for about 2 days, or until my kitchen smells so bad I can't take it anymore. My dolls wear so much black, it's imperative. We go through giant bottles of vinegar. XD

Yeah, those latch-hook things! It's either called a bodkin or a loop-turner... the reeeeally long skinny kind that's used for making drawstrings. You can use that for stringing AND for dressing the dolls in complicated clothing. It is a tool sent from Heaven.

Right! If you don't have a hemostat/clamp-- a pen, or anything stick-shaped, will do! You can go totally MacGyver on these dolls if you need to.

One time (in a hotel lobby at SiliCon) I witnessed a full MSD assembly from a kit, using only a pen, two chopsticks, and a pair of nail-clippers. I think it was SaiBySai, bless her magic brain! A good Doll-Scout is always prepared!

 

That's an urban legend, caused by a mistaken understanding of the chemical name for the crystalline material that makes them up. However, the sponges are a sort of microabrasive. They don't hurt the resin, but they sort of reach in to all the tiny pores in it and pull out anything within them -- including the paint and MSC you want to stay.

 

Good show, Snopes! Is there any mystery they can't solve?

While it is indeed safe for us to use, whatever-the-chemical-name IS in that sponge... it will sure wipe off your doll's blushing, sealant, facepaint, etc. in a New York minute. Ask poor Kaiya and his one colorless knuckle. XD

I wouldn't go a single day without that damn sponge, though. It's a pure heavenly miracle invention for dirty dolls & hurried owners. ^^


New question for anybody: (A) How come ordinary human-hair conditioner works so WELL on plastic hair?? I marinated Adrian's ratty wig in regular Pantene, for about 20 minutes, and it came out like gossamer. Beautiful! Also, (B) Is there any known warnings against using regular conditioner on doll wigs? Because it's sure nicer than spending extra $$ on Volks products.

 

Ok, I'm going to be a complete noob right now, well really I am a noob I've only had my first doll for about 3 months now.........I notice a few dirty patches on his body though.

I've read everything in this thread and it's all very very usefull and I'll certainly be doing these things in the future, but what I need to know is, where can I buy this magic spounge? also, where could I buy some of the fixing spray and paints and pencils to do faceups with? also whats the best thing to stand a head on whilst doing a face up?

If I were to paint Lucifels nails with the proper paints should I coat with the spray before and after?

sorry for these questions I really am a complete newbie at all this, and I'd like to start expanding my horizons in my trade, at the moment I style wigs for humans (mostly anime cahracters) and do cosplay and accesories, but I'd also like to start doing faceups and doll wig styling to so any tips on these topics would be great!

I thought I'd post that here rather than making a new topic about basicly the same stuff......

 

Those fabulous sponges come in a 'stronger' version from Volks-- I think they just call it the Cleaning Sponge. Volks's is sturdier, but costs a lot more.

The drugstore-version we have here in the USA, I don't know if it's available internationally-- it's the "Mr. Clean" brand. (Has a bald-man-with-an-earring character on the label.) Called the "Magic Eraser". This kind works just as well, costs half as much, and only wears out a little faster than the Volks kind.


Nailpolish-- That's a very good question! I've seen somebody use ordinary nail-lacquer before, but I'm wondering if that is OK on the resin. Does anybody know? Will that stuff be OK in the long term? (Paint is definitely safer, but it wears off very quickly, because fingertips get a lot of friction.)

Sealants-- The eternal hassle. Mr. Super Clear is the best, but it's very hard for us to get in the USA. Be careful if you order it online, because it's illegal to ship into some states, such as California; postal inspectors may confiscate it right from your box.

Some people use easier-to-get sealant like Testor's, from hobby shops, but they tell me that it is not as nice as MSC. Does anybody have any leads on other kinds of sealants, which are easier to get?

 

Re: eye putty alternatives - Blu-tack, the stuff at Wal-marts, etc., may be fine, but don't even bother with the Staples brand of adhesive putty. It does't stick to resin or the eyes! And while it stretches a bit (breaks with a "snap"), it never really softens or blends when you massage it for awhile, so packing it tightly around the eye is a waste of time too. Cheap, but cheap ain't cheap when it's unuseable!

 

I did a wig making/styling subject as part of my costume course, and we were taught that using the cheapest shampoo and conditioner on your wigs (both human hair and synthetic) is fine. You dont need to spend the money on the brand name wig styling products. You do need to be careful with conditioners that are especially good at detangling, as they can undo the knots that hold the wigs to the mesh, making the hair fall out. I would suggest avoiding putting conditioner onto the roots of the wig if possible.

 

Eye-putty alternatives! Another good topic!

We heard that beeswax/ museum-wax would work. Tried it = yuck! Gummy, slithery mess. Also, not that strong a hold. :P

Plasticine, or other non-oil-based clay, works in a pinch, and some folks swear by it. But I also find it to be too gooey, too messy, too hard to clean off eyeballs with any ridges in the back... and if you have long fingernails, #$*&^!$%!!

After much experimentation, I still choose the pink Volks putty. It does seem too stiff & dry at first, but if you really work it around in your hands for a long time, it'll soften up fine. Also improves with repeat uses. And it doesn't dry out & turn to powder after 3 months (like the stuff that Dollmore gave me). ;;

!!!.... *glomps kawaii_mon* Thank you so MUCH for the wisdom! Wow! Never even considered that! But it makes perfect sense... and I can see where you could ruin a $50 wig with your own good intentions, without knowing that. Note to self: Try not to marinate the actual headcap. ^^

Also happy to know that I can keep using my own cheapy conditioner instead of paying Volks prices. Big tip o' the wig to you!

Also wonderful to know, thanks!!... MSC on first, then lacquer. So if I want to paint my doll's nails with ordinary colored polish, it won't dissolve his delicate fingertips? I was thinking of using colored acrylic paint over MSC, & then using clear lacquer topcoat, because acrylic varnish isn't quite as tough, and nails get so much wear. But if I can use colored nailpolish, that'd be even stronger.

But a friend of mine reminded me about nailpolish color-staining, even thru sealant: Some dark colors of nailpolish-- especially reds!-- may stain resin, just like the way a strong red polish can stain your own nails for awhile after you take the it off.

For just making clear gloss over nude (lips/nails), yes, I bet acrylic gloss sounds much safer. ^_^

 

Avoid oil, pens and markers like the plague! It doesnt hurt to wash your hands first either. And most of all, don't be scared to mess with him/her!

 

Okay. Noting off a few things said here...

JennyNemesis - Fabri-Tak looked like a good idea for my Lolli's piercings, so I almost did the same thing. Until I looked at the back and read "Contains acetone." I almost dropped the bottle. So NO! ^^

Also to JennyNemesis, I tried using the Volks eyeputty myself and it ended up being a gooey mess. It worked fine at first, then I realized that it was slowly melting inside my dolls' heads. I DO live in Florida though, and this was in the summer, so heat is probably the factor.

I also used clear nail polish on my girls' nails and it never effected the resin. It also went on over lips when I couldn't find my gloss, and nothing bad happened. When going for DARK colors though, Acrylic paint with a bit of acrylic gloss on top can look just as good and will be easier to get off.

As for sueding dolls, there are many tutorials around. I perfer hot-glue seueding (done by applying hot glue from a LOW TEMP gun inside the joint and smoothing it out either with the tip of the gun or your fingers). I have felt-sueded my dolls before though, and that worked out just fine as well.

After sueding, I always wire. Buy some size 12 (SD) or 14 (MSD) electrical wire (solid with white usually being the best) from your local large hardware store. Lowe's and Home Depot here have it, and it is in the back with the electrical stuff on a big reel machine on the wall. Look around and you'll find what you need and if you just show it to the person cutting they'll get it for you. You will need at least three feet, but I always go with more than I think I'll need and only end up with a little more (it never hurts to buy too much - its usually less than $.50 a foot, and it is always good to have more around incase it gets too bent up and you want to replace it). Cut two pieces that will go from the ankle to 1/2 an inch to an inch inside the hip joint, and one that goes from wrist to wrist (maybe about 1/2 an inch shorter). And just slide them inside the joints. It works wonders.

On another note, I am a complete fan of Testor's Dullcote. It can be bought at Micheal's, Hobby Lobby, AC Moore, etc. NOT at Wal-Mart though, sadly. They sell Testor's paint, but only sell the gloss. (WHY must model cars only be GLOSSY? Whyyyy?) Also, do NOT use gloss. I has a can for another project, and accidentally used it for Lolli's head and torso the other day. I couldn't figure out why it looked sticky. Gloss. >.< The dullcote looks beautiful, so long as you apply it correctly. For your first (or first couple) times, make sure you do it in small doses each time. If it looks spotty the first couple times its okay. Keep doing light coats, allowing it ample time to dry between coats. About 3 or 4 will get you ready to paint, and 3-4 will be good to seal. As long as you allow it to dry between coats, you shouldn't have much of a problem. When you get more used to how it applies, fewer heavier coats are possible, but this is only if you are confident. Otherwise it might run and get icky.

And. I think that's it for now. ^_______^

 

Aileen's Tacky glue is a good white glue too.

 

Hi im new to the world of bjds and id like to know if there is anything i need to do with my doll once i receive her, do i need to coat her with anything? Or if i get her made up at the time of ordering will i not need to?

Sorry if its a dumb question

 

You should be fine, maybe a coat of UV protection spray in a year or so(Depends on how much sun she is exposed to.) You might have to restring her if she gets stiff or to loose.
It's normal to want to know!
Hope this helps!

 

Thanks very much. Hopefully in about a year i will understand the dolls a bit more so restringing wont sound too scary then!

 

It's not that bad really! Just watch your fingers, the joints will pinch you sometimes when you restring.

http://denofangels.com/forums/showthread.php?t=82267&highlight=restringing

Here's a link with pictures showing how. It's for a Dream Of Child doll, it has the basic stringing for most dolls so it should work.

 

Oh thanks its always nice to have a walk through for something you've never done before. Hopefully i wont have to do that for a while tho :-)

 

No problem! Hope she gets home soon! ^w^

 

Is there any special care needed for tanned dolls?
Someone mentioned it but I've never seen anything about it so...
Can someone help me? Pretty please with a MNF Shiwoo on top!

 

Sun is even worse on them. Sanding = no. That's pretty much all I know. Personally, I'd seal & suede a tan doll to preserve the color.