Supplies EYE PUTTY: the good, the bad, the ugly

Yikes! I hate that for you. I hope a new set of eyes won't cost you too much.

I wonder if you showed these to the company if they would offer you any sort of reimbursement?

 

I already have new eyes and I'm glad that those are made of glass.
I'm not completely sure if I should show it to the company. Perhaps to warn them but I don't think I will start a fuss about a "cheap" pair of eyes. It's not nice but I don't expect them to give me a refund or something like that.

 

This is a well-known problem with any plasticine clay, such as Sculpey, or the clays that most BJD makers use to insert eyes when they ship dolls to buyers. There are many threads about this in the Painting, Customizing, and Esthetics forum. Glass eyes are not at any risk, and (as far as I know) neither are silicone or urethane eyes--only acrylics.

 

This is an old and known issue with acrylics and various forms of putty used by MANY different companies, usually it's Dollmore but from the looks of that, it seems Luts have started using the same stuff now. You'd think they'd all learn from eachother, but there ya go!

*EDIT*
Cynthia beat me to it LOL

 

Does that sort of damage happen with silicone ear plugs too? .__.

 

No, as the threads in Painting, Customizing, and Esthetics explain.

 

It looks as if people have complained to Luts about this in the past:
http://www.denofangels.com/forums/showthread.php?45006-luts-comment-about-Plastilina

The big eye putty thread:
http://www.denofangels.com/forums/showthread.php?1027-EYE-PUTTY-the-good-the-bad-the-ugly

 

Wow.
And that is why acrylics do not go in bodies. Doll or human.
(That's why it's better to have glass body jewelry or surgical stainless steel. Acrylic breaks down real fast, and is hazardous to your health if it gets in your blood stream)
I work with special effects prosthetics and the directions always say to use plastilina clay. I work with liquid latex mostly, but I guess the oil works like a release agent.

It does leave a nasty residue...

 

It's just sculpey, it tends to harden up over time. They're not the only company that's used it before. I know dollzone uses the white version of it. Hopefully i can be gently scraped off that acrylic eye.

 

Like Morselita said above-I'm going to guess that they are using an eye putty that is or is very similar to *Sculpey* clay. I've left stuff that looks like this on a plastic tray before (i.e. the plastic was like the kind a hard drive for a PC would come in) After forgetting about it for a year I went to pick it up only to find that it *ATE through the plastic* So It's definitely possible that certain putties/clay could eat through acyrilic eyes.

I've tried to warn people about this but most people say "eh nope, that doesn't happen..." Your pic (OP) is proof that it can happen.

 

I may just switch my putty with the bluetack stuff I just read o_o
Plus I was wondering what was a better alternative for awhile. My current putty is suuuuper soft, looks like sculpy (it came with the doll) and it gets under my nails last time I switched my doll's eyes out. The putty hasn't damaged my acrylic eyes but the putty is just gross.

 

Eee! I think that eye putty is similar to Sculpey clay, because in the Luts manual that comes with the Kid delfs it's stated, "Attach some sculpy on the back side of eyes." and I've heard that sculpey clay will damage certain types of eyes...
I guess, like others have said, send Luts a message about the problem and find something else... I recommend Blu Tack, or something similar like Fun Tack or Blue Stik. I think I also saw somewhere that you can use kneadable artist's erasers.

 

The second pic is is "melted" acrylic from a chemical reaction/degeneration. I've used acrylics, for nails, with painting, for hobbies. It's realy a crap material, imo, and breaks down real fast. If it's in the body (human) it can poison you.

You will have to sand down the eyes if you wanted to keep them, but it looks like they have been completely deformed.

Just thought I'd throw that out there.

 

it seems that Luts has already changed their putty from the stuff I got to silicone putty (which I can strongly recommend, all my other dolls have silicone putty).

 

I have a Luts doll with acrylic eyes. I bought him... 4 years ago or so xD and his eyes are just fine. But then again... I bought him a long time ago and I guess maybe they aren't using the same kind of eye putty.

 

I don't know why everyone doesn't use the silicone earplugs. They are clear, non-reactive, and non-toxic. The caveat about not reshaping the ear plugs on the package has to do with their intended use as earplugs. The makers of silicone earplugs are concerned about liability if someone gets earplugs stuck in their ear canal. We've had 100 degree days in the San Fernando Valley -- not many this year so far, but we've had them -- and so far no worries about melting silicone plug stuffs. The eyes hold secure.

 

I've often wondered about that - I'm not sure I know what silicone earplugs look like (not the yellow things?) or where to find them.

I've got bunches of eyes set in with Sculpey and haven't ever seen an issue (yes, acrylics) -- am I just lucky, I wonder? or is it Sculpey versus Super Sculpey (which is what I've used). Interesting stuff.

 

There is a warning right on the Luts page selling the putty.

The white post tac putty that they sell is safe for acrylics. I have used the stuff on all my dolls for well over three years without any damage to my dolls or to their eyes.

 

I never use Sculpey for eyes (for one they never stuck well for me) But thats why whenever I sell a doll I use silicone putty instead.
Sculpey is cheaper for companies to sell and that I think is the real reason they do it ;\

 

Because in certain climates, my own included, it turns into a disgusting, slimey, waxy mush that sticks to anything it touches, ruins any fabric it comes into contact with and good luck getting it out from under your nails! I often wonder why everyone says it's the best tbh since everyone I know uses blutack without any issues coming up on five years now.

 

Climate is a huge factor, I think! Plus, not every putty-stuff sticks the same way on every company's resin--or maybe it's a difference based on the sealant that was used in the faceup, because a little sealant almost always lingers inside the eyewells.

I live in a drier climate than Lulu does, and the silicone earplugs have worked really well for me (generally speaking). Kneaded rubber eraser will hardly ever stick in place for me. Blutack/yellowtack/whitetack is variable: at some times of the year and in some dolls, it works fine. If I leave it in too long, though, or leave it through too many weather changes, it goes gummy and nasty on me.

tl;dr -- there is never one answer that fits every BJD, every owner, every climate, or every situation.

 

I've been using the eye putty that came with my Delf for about 2+ years now with cheap ask eyes (which everyone seems infatuated with when I'm at meets.) and I've NEVER had issues with them being damaged but I should note I live in Scotland which is cold and damp.
I imagine this kind of damage'd happen in heat of some sort. Still, ima invest in some earplugs methinks. C=

 

As earlier posts in this thread have already explained, plasticine clays leach chemicals that (sometimes) react with the acrylic used for (some) eyes, which (sometimes) causes cracking and melting. Heat isn't necessary.

 

Thankfully none of my dolls have ever had that problem. They all wear acrylic eyes, and all but one is held in with some yellow poster tack. My RS An has his eyes held in with some kneaded eraser, but he's the only one. I don't really want to switch to earplugs, since the poster tack works, and I can buy a huge thing of it for like, a dollar. I've not even used half of it yet, and it's still fabulous.

But, at least now people know what can and can't melt the crap out of your eyes! Mine are mostly custom and I think I'd bawl my OWN eyes out if they got ruined like that! O-O;

 

The luts putty is super sculpy, they openly advertise that in their owner manuels. There are tons of threads and stories about it melting acrylic eyes, this is the first realy good pic I've ever seen of it's actual effects, but it does not happen to all acrylics. I've used several different acrylic eyes from various companies all with super sculpy and never had this happen (for 4 years now). It is based on the quality of the acrylic eye what will happen.

 

The last time I got putty from a company was Volks and their putty didn't have any stick or tack to them at all so I just don't use it. I used the yellow post tacks but found that they stain my resins x.x; SO I just use clear silicon ear plugs. But I remember something about not using silicon on silicon in several places, so would anyone know if using silicon "putty" ear plugs would effect silicon eyes over a long time?

 

I see a eye puty of the same flesh color in a eye's shop but they warning that if you use it in acrilic eyes , the putty can damage the eyes:S I don�t understand why Luts don�t warning people :S

 

My eye putty from Luts has been holding in my doll's acrylic eyes for the last eleven months, with no problems at all! I actually really love the putty- it's so easy to use and for some reason, smells gorgeous! I have to use blu-tack on my glass eyes in other heads and I don't like it at all! I have to use loads of it to keep the eyes in. So I'm mystified to hear about all the troubles with Luts putty.

 

So, I got new eyeputty, through a dealer of BJDs, and after I put it in my dolls eyes I went to wash my hands, and the water just slid off because the residue was oily as hell. I've never used eye putty like this (the previous one wasn't oily at all)
They wear glass eyes so I'm not worried about the eyes. I'm just not sure I'd want to stain their eyesockets. And is staining really the only thing it is going to do?

 

Yes, some BJD dealers and manufacturers use oil-based eye putties. Glass eyes won't get hurt, but it's not great for resin in the long term. Get some kneaded erasers or silicone ear plugs.

 

My eye putty is really oily too. I wasn't sure if this was normal as this is my first doll. It's makes me freak out a little though. After touching the stuff to move her eyes around I always go and wash my hands because I'm afraid of the oily residue getting on her face. Think I will try to find something less oily.

 

If it is oily, or even more so, overly oily, I would be worried of it eventually seeping into the resin, and staining I would think is a definite happenstance.

 

Pff, well that's just great.. I'll just leave it like this for the time being, I'm going to a convention in three weeks, the dealer will be there, and hopefully they'll tell me what to get in stead..

 

Kneaded erasers are available in any art supply store. Clear silicone earplugs are available anywhere there's a pharmacy. There is no need to wait three weeks. Please don't leave oily ANYTHING in, on, or around your doll any longer than necessary. Oil is, across the board, BAD.

 

i heard oil can melt resin o.o is this true? *dont have a resinkid yet*

 

It can't actually melt resin (not in small amounts like eye putty), but it can pit, stain or discolour. It's also not good with silicone or acrylic eyes. There are many, many threads about the different types of eye putties. The search engine is your friend!

All about eye putty
Eye placement with silicone plugs tutorial

 

so when using the kneaded erasers, do you have to play with it for a while to make it a little easier to use? O.o

 

Uh I dont have a doll yet, but I've noticed that blu tac will stain walls and is very hard to clean if you put them on for a while. I also have the white coloured version, and its been stuck on this cardboard box for god-knows-when and when I pulled it out, it left some sort of yellow stain on the board. D:

So, is it okay to use this white tac on your dollies eyes?

 

I have used the Mack's silicone ear plugs in all my dolls and have not have any problems...yet. And that is going on 3 years now.

- ShadowHawke -

 

I'm using sticky tack.
It works amazingly well for me

 

Sorry, getting back late. But yes, I did warm them first and knead them too. I have now bought different ones, and they are much better.

 

Hi there!
I've been reading a lot about the Mac's silicone earplugs and how great it works. Someone I know once told me that the Mac's cannot be used with SOOM eyes. Anyone know one way or the other?

 

Neutral color sculpy, or Dollmore brand eye putty work very well. I had one doll that came with the dollmore putty in his head, and it worked so well I kept it, but the Ringdoll putty didn't work AT ALL for my other boy, so I ended up using sculpy. I was scared at first that it might damage him, (I have left sculpy on painted surfaces, and found the paint eaten off!)

I am going to go get some Macs for sure. I like to move the eyes a lot, and keeping the inside of my dolls heads clean has become a real pain!

 

So far I have all acrylic eyes. Is it easy to clean the eyes if I use the blu-tak or other similar products?

 

This is what I use. The more you mess with the tac, the stickier the tac is so you could control how sticky the tack is if you like moving the eyes. You need like one or two of the tabs kneaded for MSD eyeholes. :]


Should be available in any home improvement store and, in my case, in art stores. You could get it from Amazon online btw.

 

I currently use supersculpey with glass eyes - and have had no problems. However I do know Supersculpey will melt through plastic as it has damaged some acrylic eyes and the plastic casing on my tv *laughs*. Alternatively I have used gray artists kneadable erasers and although they work they can leave a gray mess behind. I have tried white sticktact but wasn't overly fond of it's somewhat springy nature - unlike Supersculpey it would sometimes spring back a little bit after mushed in to place. This was kind of annoying to me.

 

I used Mac's with my silicone Soom eyes and it works great. No noticeable issues, but I've only had them in for a couple weeks. Not sure what the supposed reason for non-compatibility is/was lol. If it's a long term issue I guess we'll have to wait and see.

 

Yeah, Sculpey is a no-go for me since it cracked a pair of my eyes. It crumbles and is hard to adjust for me, also. I've found that sticky tack slides a lot for me and the eyes just roll back into the head. Most company putty works just fine, of course, but one in particular that I got wouldn't even stick to itself. I even tried heating it. Nothing worked, so I haven't used it since.

 

I think you needed to knead your sticky tack more. I played with mine a while until it felt kinda like chewing gum after a few chews and before it gets all rubbery and hard

 

I've only just come to the realization that the eye putty LUTS sells... [I can't remember the name, of course.] you shouldn't use with acrylic eyes.

Is the putty they sell the same as the ones that is shipped with your doll?
Ren has had his Acrylic eyes in for over a year, and I haven't seen any damage atall, but wondering if it could happen.

And where/what eye putty would you suggest then? I've heard not to use Mr. Sculpey, sooo I wouldn't go with that. haha.

 

I'm not sure if the one that they sell is the same one as what they send with their dolls, but it should be? :\
That said, I've been using their eye putty (shipped with my Luts doll), for 3 years and I don't see any damages with his acrylics.

I've heard that people use blue tacks and white tacks as well? Yup. ^_^

 

Eye putty that is a non-hardening oil-based clay like Plastilina will crack acrylic eyes sometimes. I stopped using acrylic eyes, but I also switched to using silicone ear plugs from Walgreens. They are easy to manipulate and super cheap!

 

This may have been said~ but anyway: sculpy/fimo is fine if you use white or colorless with GLASS eyes. It kills acryllics though v_v which I sadly found out. I wouldn't trust it with silicon eyes either. I only use poster tac now anyway though.

 

I have to agree with the recommendation for the sillicone ear plugs. They are inexpensive, and works very well, even when working with dolls with smaller eye sockets (I'm looking at you my Dollshe boys)

 

dont laugh at me. I totally use the wax the dentist used to give me for braces >.>;

 

Actually that sounds like a really interesting idea. Does it work with all the different eye types/materials? How long have you used it? Do you use as much as one would do with postertack, sculpy, etc? I thought I recalled orthodontic wax being a little sticky, but perhaps that's because I had it in the 80s, lol. Anybody know what this stuff is made of--soft paraffin?

 

I love the eye putty that came with my Luts El, does anyone know what kind they use? I tried their site and they don't have it and as others have said the original Volks putty is awful.

 

I really like the eye putty that came with my Souldoll. They sent a little extra, too... it was really neat (don't know if that was a Souldoll extra or a DenverDoll extra, but I love it). It's sort of a nude/beige tone and my only complaint is that it picks up dust like nobody's business. On the flip side, my Elfdoll cane with this really waxy white putty and I am STILL scraping it out of her eye sockets. I hate it - it's exactly the consistency of ear wax and frustrates me to no end. >< I'm currently using blue tack to hold her eyes in, but I'll probably pick up some of those silicone ear plugs. I've been wanting to play around with them for LED eyes for a while, too.

 

With what i've tried, my best eye putty is still the basic tacky one that sell at dollorama, cheap and work very good and the white one is not oily.

The worst i've seen is the Leekeworld one, disgusting, look oily and stick everywhere on me and dirt the doll :/

 

from my memories of braces in the early 2000s, orthodontist wax was still pretty sticky. but i don't have any more and i can't remember for the life of me if i could only get it at the office or if it's available elsewhere. it seems like a great solution to me though!