Restringing Tools. A common repair on vintage and antique dolls (bisque, composition, and hard plastic) is restringing. You can tell a doll needs to be restrung when its limbs fall off, or hang limply. A properly strung doll should be able to have its legs, arms, and head put in a position and hold that position.
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How do you clean a hard plastic doll?
Fill a plastic bag big enough for the doll to fit in with baking soda. Place the doll inside the baking soda-filled bag and let sit undisturbed for several days. The baking soda will help eliminate the odor from the hard plastic doll. Remove the doll from the bag and wipe any baking soda off the plastic with a cloth dampened in cool water.
What is a fix-it guide on doll repair?
Dolls can become life-long treasures. This Fix-It Guide on doll repair tells how a doll works, what often goes wrong, how to identify a doll problem, and what parts and tools you will need to fix it. It then gives simple step-by-step instructions for how to replace a cloth-body doll’s torso and how to restring a plastic or vinyl doll.
How do you fix damaged doll hair?
If a doll’s rooted hair is damaged beyond repair, cut it off close to the scalp and glue a wig over it–or find a doll hat that fits. Larger craft stores will have extensive doll-making and repair supplies including fabrics, stuffing, glues, and even parts.
How do you fix a sticky face on a doll?
We would personally wash the face with mild soap and then use the talcum powder. Another possible remedy for sticky faces is Twin Pines Formula 911. Many Barbie collectors use Plastix, made by Locite, to repair neck and leg splits in vinyl. This is a two-part super-glue gel. Others use vinyl repair compound made for pools.
How do you restore a vinyl doll?
9:4411:33How to restore your vintage vinyl dolls - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipEven if you clean the doll all over and then you use some kind of a soap to wipe off the goop youMoreEven if you clean the doll all over and then you use some kind of a soap to wipe off the goop you can rub the goop back on the vinyl and wipe it off with a soft cloth.
How do you clean old hard plastic dolls?
Dip a soft cloth in warm, soapy water. Wring it out until it is just damp and rub the plastic. Use a damp, soft toothbrush to scrub the doll, especially in places the cloth could not reach effectively, such as the fingers and toes.
How do you restring a hard plastic doll?
0:063:57Doll Tutorial: How to Restring a Doll at Home - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI just tie a little knot around there so it doesn't keep falling. Off. Okay that's in the body we.MoreI just tie a little knot around there so it doesn't keep falling. Off. Okay that's in the body we. Go. Now I'm going to pull this very very tight I'm going to lock it off with a hemostat.
How do you fix a cracked composite doll?
1:103:09Doll Tutorial: How to Repair Cracks in Your Doll - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBe sure you have a proper color. Again I have to be careful of the brow and the lashes then with aMoreBe sure you have a proper color. Again I have to be careful of the brow and the lashes then with a soft cloth I have it just a flannel here you just gently wipe. It dolls in Colorado or lucky.
How do you restore composition dolls?
0:2414:45How to fix your Composition Doll START TO FINISH - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo this guy has seen a lot in his years.MoreSo this guy has seen a lot in his years.
How do you make an old doll look new?
2:289:05Breathtaking makeover for your favorite doll - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut i know a good way to untangle doll hair i'll pour some laundry conditioner into a bowl then i'llMoreBut i know a good way to untangle doll hair i'll pour some laundry conditioner into a bowl then i'll soak the doll's hair. In. It there now it should be really easy to brush your hair.
How do you restring a composite doll?
0:4214:44How To Re-String An Antique Composition Doll | Baltimore, 2018YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd I generally start at the knee. I don't want to put any kind of I don't want to pull this andMoreAnd I generally start at the knee. I don't want to put any kind of I don't want to pull this and have it go swap anything up inside the head that could damage the bottom of the neck.
How much does it cost to restring a doll?
Restringing ranges in price from $25.00 to $100.00. $25.00 being the most common cost- this is for most Alexanders, Ginny's, bisque dolls. The higher price is for very large antique dolls.
How do you repair a celluloid doll?
0:1718:57Restringing a Celluloid Doll - Vintage Doll Repair - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis is elastic cord which you can buy online for restringing dolls it's made in different sizes.MoreThis is elastic cord which you can buy online for restringing dolls it's made in different sizes. But this is a small size probably about an eighth of an inch. Feet for doing small dolls.
Why do composition dolls crack?
Composition dolls, especially those with a heavily sealed or lacquered finish, are especially prone to fine cracks, called crazing. The crazing is caused by changes in moisture and temperature. Because so many of these dolls have crazed over the years, light crazing on a composition doll is acceptable to collectors.
What is composition doll made of?
A composition doll is a doll made partially or wholly out of composition, a composite material composed of sawdust, glue, and other materials such as cornstarch, resin and wood flour.
What kind of paint do you use on composition dolls?
acrylic paintWe strongly advise you to not attempt to alter your composition doll's visage, but if you do, then the only thing you should use is acrylic paint. This type of paint won't dry out the surface, but it will conceal some of the crazing and cracks that are bound to have happened to your doll by now.
How do you clean hard plastic?
Avoid using abrasive cleanser that may scratch the plastic. Use a tub/tile/sink cleaner; nonabrasive, all-purpose cleaner; or a paste of baking soda and water. Apply the cleaner to the surface or on a damp sponge and rub gently. Rinse or wipe clean.
How do you remove mildew stains from vinyl dolls?
Add one tablespoon of liquid laundry detergent to the cup of water and mix well. Dip the soft cloth in the mixture and wipe down the affected areas of the doll. Take the damp soft cloth and dip it in baking soda, and rub it on the spots that remain after the initial cleaning.
How do you get scuff marks off plastic toys?
Wash the entire plastic surface with a solution of 1 ounce of dish soap per gallon of water, using a soft, nonabrasive cloth. Concentrate on the scuff marks. If they are merely on the surface, they should come off.
How do you clean a dirty doll?
"Soak a cotton ball in the soapy water and use this to clean the doll's body. Repeat as necessary, rinse the doll with another cotton ball soaked in clean water, and dry the doll with the soft cloth." Then move on to any areas with painted-on features, like the face and nails.
Why do dolls get rusty?
Some authorities state that the disease is caused by a reaction of metal to plastic, due to rusting of the metal eye pieces or joining rods. Many agree that poor storage conditions are to blame such as storing the doll in a damp loft, warm, moist conditions or wrapped in a plastic bag. High humidity also plays its part.
Why do dolls have a disease?
Provided care is taken with new dolls introduced to the collection, and they are stored correctly, there should be no problems. Some authorities state that the disease is caused by a reaction of metal to plastic, due to rusting of the metal eye pieces or joining rods. Many agree that poor storage conditions are to blame such as storing the doll in a damp loft, warm, moist conditions or wrapped in a plastic bag. High humidity also plays its part.
What is the condition of Pedigree dolls?
Unfortunately, as the condition was first spotted in Pedigree dolls, it was given the name 'Pedigree Doll Disease' (PDD), which put Pedigree in a bad light, and was very unfair. When it was realized that the condition could affect other makes of hard plastic dolls, the name was changed to 'hard plastic disease' (HPD).
What is the disease that dolls suffer from?
A number of dolls that we have repaired, or are in the process of repairing, suffer from hard plastic disease (HPD).
How to tell if you have a kewpie doll?
Further warning signs can be small vertical lines around the nose, roughening around the wrists, noticeable loss of color (especially in a limb), odd pink or red blotches or the head forming an extreme point, like a Kewpie doll.
How to tell if you have HPD?
Typical symptoms of HPD - extremely crumbly plastic, shrinkage, splitting seams, bubbling, and discoloration. Note the deteriorated rubber band. (This is an arm from a Carlson souvenir doll)
How to get sticky plastic out of dolls?
You can make a barrier between these pieces—use kid glove or pellon. It will work for a while to not cause further stickiness. To treat the stickiness, many people will clean a doll with alcohol (highly abrasive and takes more plasticizer out of the doll!) then use talcum powder to wick up stickiness . We would personally wash the face with mild soap and then use the talcum powder. Another possible remedy for sticky faces is Twin Pines Formula 911.
How to fix a splayed Barbie doll?
Again, boil the water and dip the legs in to soften the vinyl. Remove the doll, and straighten out the bent leg, ankle, etc. Hold it in the correct position for a while; you then may want to tie the doll's legs in the proper position using soft ribbon, etc. You don't want to use something like a rubber band that can leave a mark in the soft vinyl.
How to repaint a Barbie doll's eyebrows?
You will also have to measure (use a doll with nice brows to do this) the brow, including the arch. You can use tiny, light pencil marks as a guide. Barbie's eyebrows are not usually totally symmetrical, so you won't have to copy the right and left exactly, but you'll need to get the "look" right and using a doll with good brows as a guide will help . If you ruin them, you can take the Liquitex off with alcohol and toothpicks.
What is the best glue for Barbie neck and leg splits?
Many Barbie collectors use Plastix, made by Locite, to repair neck and leg splits in vinyl. This is a two-part super-glue gel. Others use vinyl repair compound made for pools.
What to use to shampoo Barbie hair?
Shampooing and Detangling Hair. Many collectors successfully use regular shampoo (baby shampoo is good) and conditioner to shampoo a Barbie—some people also successfully wash with mild, regular soaps such as Joy, then use fabric conditioners such as Downy to soften and detangle hair.
Why do plastic dolls smell so bad?
Plastic dolls can smell bad when they are degrading, or they can get sticky. They can also show a white powder caused by leeching plasticizer that many people mistake for molds. Or, they can get sticky faces (see below).
How to set a barbie's hair?
You can set Barbie's hair by rolling (wet) onto cut straws or bobby pins. You can also set Barbie's hair on thin metal tubing if you have it available (great for doing a tight curl on the end of a ponytail). Set the hair into boiling water briefly to set the curl (not the doll!) and then let the hair dry before removing your curlers. Bobby pins work great for setting bangs.
How to clean plastic dolls?
Start at the top of the doll and wipe the hard plastic with the damp cloth while moving downward. Continue in this manner until you have wiped all the hard plastic with the vinegar-saturated cloth.
How to clean a doll from a plastic bag?
Remove the doll from the bag and wipe any baking soda off the plastic with a cloth dampened in cool water. Wipe dry with a towel.
How to get rid of a smelly doll?
Lay the doll on a towel and let dry for several hours. As the vinegar dries, it will remove the odor. Continue with the remaining steps if the odor is still present.
Can you clean diamonds in the rough?
However, you can clean these diamonds in the rough with a few inexpensive household items that will remove the odor and restore the look of the once-pristine dolls. Advertisement.
