Setting Eyes: tips on removing and replacing eyes

I think Doogi posted a tutorial on how to remove the head on the notice board over at eluts. Maybe that will be helpful to you.

Congratulations on receiving your Lishe, btw!

 

Thank you so much! I got the eyes changed, but I didn't really remove the hole head cap... So I think I kinda did it wrong though. So if anyone have any more advice it's welcome!

 

Don't worry. I don't remove my boy's headcap all the way either. I just pull up and shift it so that there is enough room to change the eyes.

You should never have to remove the whole head just to change the eyes! Unless the body (stringing) is ungodly tight or something.... >_>;;

So, good job for figuring it out, I guess! ^^

 

I was thinking about the size of the MSD dolls in proportion to my hands, and I realized that it must be rather hard to switch out eyes, if you have big clumsy fingers like me. Do ya'll have problems holding those little eyes in place? I mean I think the average MSD head is about the size of my fist (according to photos I've seen) and I don't have my doll yet to compare. So aside from the bothersome headplate, is it difficult to change out eyes? Sorry if I sound silly. I am a newbie after all. ops:

 

Not silly.

It's quite easy. ^^ Without your doll in front of you, I'm sure you think that you'll be too clumsy, etc., but honestly... Once you have your doll, a lot of anxiety will go away, especially after you play with him/her.

I personally find it hard to believe that someone could be so clumsy and fail to properly change the eyes - people don't give themselves enough credit when it comes to these resin creatures. I own Serendipity girls who take 10-12mm eyes, which is smaller than DoD (according to your signature). It never is really a struggle in so much as a hassle. xD But it's still pretty easy!

I usually put putty around the eye (I prefer glass), and then smoosh the sides of the putty to the insides of the head. It sticks, and everything is good. ^_^ Positioning, on the other hand, is trickier, especially if you don't want your doll to be looking in different directions. Just shift the putty/eye around until your doll looks in the direction you want.

 

I found a good way to put the eyes in is like this. First remove the eyes and the putty. Then make little flat circles out of your putty. Now hold your doll without his head cap on slightly above you and at an angle so you can see his face. Then place one eye in. At that angle you can see his face and how his eye is angled. Now take that circle of putty and plug up the back of the eye you've placed. Continue with the other side. :3

 

Now, I'm not too hot on using kneaded eraser, since they can leave residue (or maybe that's because I knead them to death out of boredom)... though, I do have plenty, so I'll use it if it comes to that.

Now, I hear blu-tack and white-tack are good. I have not seen them yet, but in my searches I have found:

A white Staples brand reusable adhesive. It looked good except on the back it said not to use it on fine pictures/posters, and that it could stain if left on a surface for too long.

A blue adhesive adhesive at Home Depot (whose brand I forgot, unfortunately), which warned of an "oily residue." Oil? We all know oil+resin=bad!

So... what of these warnings? Do they apply to resin? What have you used (for long periods of time) without any sort of negative effects?

 

hmm.. I use oven-harden sculpey III clay in a translucent nude color (close to my dod's skin color but darker). I've never heard of it being damaging, but if anyone has warnings against it please share! I'd hate to find out the hard way...

I use it as appose to dod's clay because their clay is weird and sticky, but it doesn't adere to the acrylic or the resin very well.

 

I use the plain old Elmer's Glue stuff, that comes in strips and can be found anywhere. It's been fine for the last year I've been using it.

 

I use yellow-tack. I suppose it's related to blue-tack and white-tack? At first I was kind of wary of it since it stains walls, but I've been using it for almost 9 months so far, and it doesn't seem to have any adverse affects on the resin.

 

I use super sculpey. :/

 

I've got a couple of brands that I've bought and used:

Plasti-tak - I bought this at Hobby Lobby. It doesn't leave residue and I like it a lot.

Scotch Adhesive Putty: http://graphics.samsclub.com/images/products/0002120097815_L4.jpg
-I forgot where I bought this. To be honest, I haven't opened the packaging yet. ops:

The other brand I bought from Dollar Tree and it's yellow. I don't have the original packaging so I can't tell you what the brand was. It's sticky but also doesn't leave residue behind.

I prefer white color as it won't show in the corners should any get smushed up when you're setting the eyes.

 

I know this may sound newbies-ish and maybe some what semi-retarded... but please help me. I am really sorry. ops: ( I am completely new at BJD, I want to learn as much as I can before my dolls comes ^^;; )

I would like to know about puting the eyes in place. I heard about this type of glue you place to help the eyes stay in place???

I am a bit confused at this. I don't want the eyes to be permanet on my doll, so what is a good recomendation?

Please lead me to link that will help or post up your recomendation. Thank You for your time. :grin: May the froce be with you

 

Do you know what 'poster putty' ot sticky-tac are? a lot of people around here use that. Smoosh it around the eyes, and they'll stay in place without being permanently stuck. I believe some people use things like (uncoloured, unbaked) Sculpey or clay as well. ^_^

I know there's a thread about this somewhere, but I do not have the 'l33t search skillz'. ^^; Someone will no doubt be along to direct you shortly! (Also, check out the 'UHU Tac' thread in this same forum. ^^)

 

Personally, I like clear silicon earplugs, which can be found in sporting goods departments. They're easy to use and hold well, don't leave stains, and don't show much if you get a little into the eyesocket where it can be seen.

 

I use white sculpy with great results. It's super cheap, easy to find (at any craft store), and does not stain or leave a residue. Just make sure you use white, not the colored sculpey.
And not to keep bringing this up (because I mentioned it in another thread already) but most brands of poster tac do leave an oily residue that seeps into whatever it's touching. It may not happen quickly but over time it does happen. I don't mean to repeat myself but I just want to make sure people know that because I'd feel awful if I didn't speak up and someone got stains on their doll. ;_;

 

I use silicone glue. It holds until you don't want it to, and peels off easily.

 

a good number of dolls also come with something already in their head to hold in their eyes - for example luts comes with white plasticine called plastilina and DoD with grey plasticine.

 

I use a kneaded eraser to hold my boys eyes in.

 

While I haven't tried Sculpy, I have heard that Sculpy can cause problems with some resin dolls. Apparently, a chemical in the Sculpy can eat in to the resin and cause all sorts of problems.

Please note that my info is second hand. I haven't tried Sculpy yet (mainly since I don't have a doll to try it on!) XD

 

I just use blue tac for my gang all of them have it with no probs at all...

 

blu tac

 

can anyone tell me where i can get blu tac? ops: Please? Thank you. :grin:

 

Maybe it's just me but for some reason, I have trouble keeping Dahlia's eyes nice and even, they're always off it seems, looking in another direction with one being higher than the other. Is there some way that I can get her eyes to look exactly straight and be at an even level? If anyone needs help figuring out what her headmold is, DoC T. Yen. Thank you for the help again!

 

Sometimes, it helps to put your doll in front of a mirror and look at the eyes that way. I know it sound funny but it works for me when I think they look a little off.

 

For me, it just takes a lot of time and staring to get them straight.. but I guess I'm not always positive that they're straight. :3 Just a little patience and a lot of eye putty to make sure they -stay- in place. :3

 

I get a little crazy with mine. I lay them on their stomach on a cabinet with their head hanging off, then look at them from below with the tip of their nose centered on their face. I don't know why it helps me, but it does. ops:

 

You may want to put in the eyes and fiddle with them a bit, but then leave them alone for a while. Usually a few hours up to a day or two of a break tends to work with my other art projects. If the eyes looked off before, after getting some time and space between when you first worked on them can help you pinpoint exactly what you messed up on. It really makes it easier to fix whatever the problem is, because you can look at the whole doll and pinpoint what needs correction instead of focusing on one small detail.

Kind of like that "I can't see the forest for the trees" type of thing. Getting a breather can help you look at something more objectively. I hope that helps!

 

I always get them as good as I can and then show my husband. After fiddling with them long enough I can't tell if they're straight or not because I'm nearly dizzy. XD Plus I have really bad vision. But since he's getting a fresh "first look" perspective he can usually tell me wight away if they are off. So if you have a friend to help that usually helps alot!

I'm curious about the mirror trick though. I might have to try that!

 

The reason the mirror trick works is because our sense of perspective (at least when it comes to positionin) naturally seems to slant to one side or the other. By looking at the doll in the mirror, you're able to see just how slanted you are and adjust for it. Same reason it helps to look at drawings in the mirror too to see how off they are!

 

I know how that is - that happens to my girls a lot too. Especially my Nono head. I also have an F-08 which seems to keep eyes in place and they don't go off center at all after I've placed them, which is nice.

 

ahh! i always have this problem with my tender yen too! after i took out the putty and replaced it with blu-tac, i was never sure that his eyes were straight again! i'm fairly satisfied at this point, but...now i kind of want them to be glancing off to the side! and i've had terrible trouble getting them to stay in that position x.X

i have to agree with asato and Tamamushiiro. fiddle with them for a while, let them alone, fiddle some more, and then get a second opinion! that always helps after you've spent so much time looking at him and you're no longer sure what straight eyes really look like! ^_^;

good luck!

 

At the beginning I had a horrible problem with preventing my Sonya from having a squint ^^; But I was trying and trying and after hours of tryouts I finally managed to change her eyes and place them in the right direction My trick to make the eyes lying in the proper direction is to turn the doll's head in front of yours (make the doll's face being placed 'face-to-face' You ), and then try to manipulate the doll's eyes in the doll's head . You can see the progress of your activity and correct the current mistakes. I did the same with my Sonya. Another advice is to do the eyes replacement in the bright day-light. Acrylic, not-round eyes are really horrible ,the most difficult to adjust I think ... But they are beautiful

 

Don't forget also that it may not just be you making them look off - No doll has exactly symmetrical eyes and the eyes themselves might not have the same size iris/pupil if they're handmade ones like glass. One of Lutz's default glass eyes is smaller than the other... And so is one of his eyes. I put the smaller one in the smaller eye last time I changed them and it worked nicely for getting an even look to things. ^^

 

My husbands family has a history of lazy eye, you know one eye looking off to the side. So I had to have one of my kids evaluated. And the ophthalmologist gave me a handy tip to see if eyes are centered and both looking in the same direction. Look at the reflection on the eye, the light that bounces off should be the same in both eyes. Sometimes you can tell better with a picture then looking at the doll (or child itself).

 

Bumping this thread because I have one of the same questions as AmnesticAngel, but it never got directly answered. XD;

I got Staples-brand reusable adhesive (in white), but as AmnesticAngel said, there's a small warning on the back warning of possible damage after long-term use. Have there been any experiences with this? Even if it's on the inside of his headcap, I'd rather not risk any damage.

 

Hmmm... It's probably better use something else. It would suck to use it and then months later find out it does damage resin. >.<

I use super sculpy too. Works like a dream

 

I use Plasti-Tak as well, and I love it XD You just have to be sure not to knead it too much, or it'll super sticky and you have to let it 'cool down' before it'll do anything productive XD

 

super sculpy here, too.. i'd be a little nervous about using something that had a warning on it.. but then again, it might be fine..

 

There is a sticky white wax called Mini Hold that is made to hold minatures in dioramas and it says it's non staining. It does hold eyes well :-)

 

I use silicone glue. I guess I'm weird.

 

I've found ear-plug wax to work really well. is a clear-ish wax that doesn't smear too badly. comes in little dabs that are the perfect size for holding in an eye (and you can still move it a little for adjustments!)
you can get it at most pharmacies that i've found, for a very good price

 

How do I change the eyes?

thanks

 

Just take the head cap off and then pull out the putty which holds the eyes in place, pop the eyes you want in and then repeat with the putty and head cap pretty simple once you know how!

 

you have to take off the head ^^ don't worry, that isn't as scary as it sounds.

so, just take the head off, and once the head is off, the headcap is also off and you can see the eyes in the head, with putty, or with hotglue(if your doll comes from Volks it's with hotglue..to get them out, gently soften the glue with a hairdryer and then take it out), you just take the putty out, put new eyes in and put the dollie together again ^^

good luck ^^

 

With my Yder I just pulled the head upwards and popped the cap off... there was no need to unstring at all

 

Thanks! That is simple! I'm new to the BJDs and haven't even gotten my doll yet, but I have plans...many plans!

The doll I've ordered will have makeup, however I would like my next doll to be with out, what is the best supplies to paint a doll's face?

Thank you again.

 

about face-up, you can use normal painter supplies, but nothing with oil! Oil stains..you need Mr. super clear to coat the head, and then acrylics/watercolours and pastels..there's a sticky in the painting/customizing forum with lots and lots of info, as well as a handy tutorial ^^

 

Thanks for the tip about the glue in the Volks eyes - I have just been trying to change over Yuni's eyes and couldn't work out how to get them out with hacking at the glue...

Alicex

 

Also depending on the glue you might be able to just peel it out if the eyes are hot glued in. Just figured I might add that.

I originally thought it would be really hard since I've heard a lot of people here complain. But when CW came his eyes were hot glued in and it peeled right out. I just had to get a good grip on it and pull. I work with hot glue on a lot of my projects and have found that it peels off a LOT of surfaces if you can get a grip on one edge of it. Just as long as the surface is stable enough. I always figured the resin must have enough tooth on the inside to make just peeling impossible... But it came off really easily. It pulls the eye out too, but I assume if you're removing the glue in the first place you plan on moving or changing the eyes anyway so it doesn't matter if they leave their original positions.

Picking at hot glue is a tricky thing to do, but that's because it likes to stay together and it's mildly flexible. If you can just get it all off in one chunk it should be easier. *Shrugs*

The hairdryer trick scares me because I'd be afraid of accidentally peeling the eyelashes... O_o

 

Hey, sorry again for a dumb post XDD I dunno if there's an FAQ elsewhere, but... could anyone point me in the right direction for info about replacing doll parts such as heads/hands/eyes/etc? Especially the eyes! XD How do you take a BJD apart? Is it difficult? Any things to really watch for? Major differences between doll sizes...?

 

How would I take out those Hot-glued Acrylic eyes out from a Volks doll so I can switch to glass? I've heard about using a blow dryer on low, or possibly rubbing the hot glue over time. What are your methods?

 

There is a kit with plastic tools that you can by for sculpting polymer clay from most craft stores. I think it's like $4. I use the sharp knife-like tool to pry out the eyes. I don't like the idea of heating the resin... I'm afraid of burning my hands or the posibility of toxic fumes. I don't know for /sure/ about toxic fumes, but better safe than unconcious on the floor! :3

 

I know a friend who wanted to change the default eyes on her Arashi but wwhen she opened the headcap.. looking in the glue she saw that the eaye had MELTED a bit into the glue... she hasn't tried removing them because she likes the default eye and didn't want to ruin them if she took them out.

 

I used the hair dryer method to take a pair of acrylic eyes out of a Kun, however I think others have left the heads in their freezer for a while and that's made getting the eyes out easier.

Personally, I worry about what the extreme cold might do to the resin. I usually use the hair dryer for a minute tops, then pluck at the glue with tweezers. If it gets hard again, I use the blow dryer again. Lather, rinse, repeat.

 

I am wondering if there is a step by step photo guide for changing/swapping eyes. I want very much to do it but still being green am worried about messing up.
if there isn't one, would it be possible for someone to perhaps make one? Time consuming request I know but I think it would be handy.
Thanks

 

If you "mess up" all you have to do is try again. As long as you're not jabbing at your doll or the eyes with a stick or anything like that, there's not much risk of damage.

Just one word of warning: Don't push at the eyes from the front. You risk chipping the very thin resin around the eyelid doing that.

 

I have difficulty with placing the eyes too, is there some mathematical technique to line them up from behind or is trial and error by checking the face the only way?

 

It's pretty much trail and error for lining them up. I do find it helps if I place my doll in front of a mirror so I can see their face.

But if you all are still looking for an eye changing tutorial, I can whip one up tonight.