how to repair old dolls

^{How to Repair a Broken Antique Doll}

1. Inspect the Doll You should take the time to check your dolls from time to time, especially if you own a collection of such dolls. ...
2. Repairing the Head Part If you notice any need for repairs in the head area, it is best to use a knife. ...
3. Repairing Broken Joints and Limbs A common problem with dolls is broken limbs. ...
4. Repainting If the doll needs repainting, you need to be very careful to do the job well and use suitable colors and tones. ...
5. Conservation Wax Applications

Full Answer

How should I clean my old dolls?

Wipe away spots and dirt on hard-bodied dolls with soapy water.

• Be gentle when cleaning your doll’s face—scrubbing too hard can sometimes remove paint.
• You could also try a magic eraser to get rid of tough stains.
• Dry your doll off with a clean towel rather than putting it into the dryer. The tumbling and heat could really damage it.

How do you clean an antique doll?

► Place a clean towel on a flat surface. It will keep the doll safe and clean (in case of dust) from the hard, flat surface. ► Always wash your hands thoroughly or wear gloves before you handle antique dolls. ► Before cleaning, take the doll’s clothes and accessories off. Put them aside for safekeeping.

How to repair a doll with a broken neck plug?

Vintage and Antique Doll Repairs

• Repair work. We are located in Northern California near Modesto CA. ...
• Contacting Us about Repairs. When you wish to contact us about a repair E-mail is always best. ...
• Dropping off repairs. ...
• Restringing and repair of doll bodies. ...
• Leather Bodies. ...
• Cloth Bodies. ...
• Composition Dolls. ...
• Porcelain or China dolls. ...
• Doll Eyes. ...
• Doll Seamstress work. ...

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How to restore vintage dolls?

Sealing Neck Splits in Barbies

• If the doll's head feels cold, warm it up slightly with your hand or a hair dryer because the vinyl can split even more if it's cold. ...
• Remove the doll's head carefully.
• Apply super glue with a toothpick to each side of the split. ...
• After the glue is dry and well-set, very carefully rotate the doll's head back onto the neck with a rolling motion. ...

Can old dolls be repaired?

Repairing an antique doll means fixing a part that is broken or damaged in some way. So, a broken arm might be glued back together or a wig could be cleaned and restyled. Restoration means bringing the doll back to its original condition including wigs and hair styling, clothing and facial features.

How do you restring an old doll?

38:3042:13DOLL REPAIR BASICS | CLEANING AND STRINGING - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd that is how you can restring a 50s doll. Now that technique what other dolls can you use thatMoreAnd that is how you can restring a 50s doll. Now that technique what other dolls can you use that technique on madame alexander.

What can you do with old dolls?

The obvious answer for any toy in good condition is donate it to a charity shop or charity for another child to enjoy – but I know from personal experience dolls quite often don't make it out of a childhood in good enough condition to donate.

How much does it cost to restore a doll?

A typical doll restoration averages about $12 – $18 per inch of doll, but every doll has different needs, so the price on a doll repair bid may vary greatly.

How do you reattach a dolls head?

0:515:52Reattaching an American Girl doll head! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo I will show you today how to retighten or reattach her head okay so what you want to do is turnMoreSo I will show you today how to retighten or reattach her head okay so what you want to do is turn your doll around to the back. And then you'll see that at the base of her neck.

How do you restring a celluloid doll?

0:0918:57Restringing 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.

Are old dolls worth money?

Price: Around $200 to $300 each, if mint; $1,000 to $1,500 for full set mint and all original. In very good condition (missing some of the original outfits; some flaws and crazing), from $100 to $150 each. Comments: Dolls shown have original outfits but are lacking their pins.

How can you tell a vintage doll?

Take a good photo of the mark or draw a copy of it to keep handy.Doll manufacturer marks are typically found on the back of the head or neck.Maker's marks can also be placed between the shoulder blades, on the bottom of the feet, or on the doll's clothing tags.If the doll has a wig, the mark might be under it.More items...

How old is a vintage doll?

100 years oldAntique, Vintage or Modern Collectible Antique dolls are 100 years old or more. Notable dolls from the 50s are considered vintage.

Can porcelain dolls be repaired?

Porcelain dolls have unique restoration and repair needs. Both antique dolls and modern dolls can require cleaning and repairs to heads and bodies, cleaning clothing or rebuilding body parts. Dean Schulefand & Associates specializes in restoring and conserving your porcelain doll collectibles.

How do you clean old doll hair?

8:0922:42Tips and tricks for cleaning vintage dolls and clothes - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipA better clean of the hair. And when i do this i mean i really go in like i'm not super gentle i donMoreA better clean of the hair. And when i do this i mean i really go in like i'm not super gentle i don't worry about any kind of snags or tangles or whatever because it already has them. So you're not

How do you restore vintage Barbies?

0:192:02Doll Hacks: How to Restore Vintage Barbie – A Quick and Easy Method ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipStart with your ratty old barbie add the tatty old doll to the barberside mix and leave for theMoreStart with your ratty old barbie add the tatty old doll to the barberside mix and leave for the recommended.

How do you reset antique dolls eyes?

4:398:34Reset Sleep Eyes - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPick up the doll head while holding the rocker in place make sure that the eyes are lined upMorePick up the doll head while holding the rocker in place make sure that the eyes are lined up properly. As your wax cools. But before it hardens. Pick some up on your toothpick or your paintbrush.

How do you string a ball jointed doll?

3:2618:05Tips and Tricks: How to Restring a BJD - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUm once you put it inserted into the head and then just pull it up and twist it. Um anyway works ifMoreUm once you put it inserted into the head and then just pull it up and twist it. Um anyway works if you happen to use pliers or any other kind of tools like this just be very careful.

How do you fix a rubber band doll?

Start with a length of elastic twice as long as the doll's body from the neck to the legs. Hook the head hook onto the elastic and drop the loop down into the body of the doll through the neck hole. Reach into the arm hole, pull out a loop of elastic and attach the appropriate arm to it.

How do you reattach a porcelain doll leg?

Position the doll head on top of the body. To attach a leg, make a stringing hook to reach into the torso and grasp the loop hanging from the head. Pull the loop down through the leg hole and secure it to the hook inside the leg. Pull out the stringing hook and repeat the process for the other leg.

How to attach a leg to a doll?

To attach a leg, make a stringing hook to reach into the torso and grasp the loop hanging from the head. Pull the loop down through the leg hole and secure it to the hook inside the leg. Pull out the stringing hook and repeat the process for the other leg.

How to restring a plastic doll?

Restring a plastic or vinyl doll: Make two elastic stringing loops: one for the legs and head, and a shorter one for the arms. Loop sizes depend on the material’s elasticity and the doll size. The elastic should hold the head and limbs securely while allowing smooth movement. Make tight knots in the end of the elastic to bind it.

How to restring a doll?

Restring a plastic or vinyl doll: 1 Make two elastic stringing loops: one for the legs and head, and a shorter one for the arms. Loop sizes depend on the material’s elasticity and the doll size. The elastic should hold the head and limbs securely while allowing smooth movement. Make tight knots in the end of the elastic to bind it. 2 If the head is attached with an internal hook that’s broken or missing, make a new one from a wire coat hanger. Cut off a section with wire-cutting pliers and bend it into shape. Attach the hook to the head bar. Then secure the larger elastic stringing loop to the hook and push the loop down through the neck cavity and into the doll’s torso. Position the doll head on top of the body. 3 To attach a leg, make a stringing hook to reach into the torso and grasp the loop hanging from the head. Pull the loop down through the leg hole and secure it to the hook inside the leg. Pull out the stringing hook and repeat the process for the other leg. 4 To attach an arm, hook one end of your stringing loop to the arm and feed the loop through the arm hole. Use the stringing hook to pull the loop through the opposite arm hole. Attach the loop to the hook on the arm then remove the stringing hook.

How to make a doll with plastic?

Sew the torso inside out, leaving the rear seam open. To attach plastic or vinyl pieces, turn up about 1 inch of fabric and sew through the holes located at the base of each piece. Turn the torso right side out and stuff the doll with polyester filling. Stitch up the rear seam with small, tight overhand stitches.

How to attach a string to an arm?

To attach an arm, hook one end of your stringing loop to the arm and feed the loop through the arm hole. Use the stringing hook to pull the loop through the opposite arm hole. Attach the loop to the hook on the arm then remove the stringing hook.

How to replace a doll's torso?

Replace a cloth-body doll’s torso: Undo the stitching holding the head and limbs to the torso. Then un-stitch the body and use the fabric as a pattern (adding about 3/4 inch all the way around for the seam) for the new body. Add about 1 inch of fabric to the limb and neck openings. Sew the torso inside out, leaving the rear seam open.

How to identify a doll problem?

If the head, arm, or leg comes off a doll with push-in limbs, use a hairdryer to make the plastic pliable, then reinsert the part into the body.

What is antique doll repair?

Antique doll repair is an art and craft that requires a long time to perfect. Unless you think you are qualified to restore your doll yourself, you should seek out a reputable doll repair studio and let the experts bring your doll back to life. Broken Doll. Partially Restored.

How to get an estimate for a doll restoration?

The best way to get an initial estimate for restoration of your item is to email a few photos and the overall measurements of your doll to the restorer. The photos have to include images of the entire doll, the damaged parts, and all the broken pieces you have.

What is ceramic doll restoration?

Ceramic Doll Restoration Can Preserve Your Memories For Generations To Come. While not traditionally considered art, antique ceramic, porcelain and bisque dolls offer a unique and special look back into the past. Dolls show us an ideal for that particular time and place.

What is the difference between porcelain and bisque dolls?

Porcelain is ceramic fired in a kiln and then glazed. Bisque is unglazed porcelain. It has a matte finish and gives the doll’s skill a human-like texture. When the production of bisque dolls began in the late 1800s in France, only the heads were made of bisque (cloth or leather was used for the rest of the body).

Can you reset a doll's eyes?

All dolls have a set of eyes that may get damaged. And while it’s quite easy to reset the eyes if they have moved out of place, the job becomes more difficult if the eyes fall into the back of the doll’s head or fall out and get damaged. As with restringing, unless you’re an experience craftsperson, it is better to let a professional handle such repairs.

Can you keep doll clothes?

It is always preferable to keep the original outfit. However, it’s not always possible. If a doll has been involved in a fire or flood, the original clothes would most likely be ruined. Most cloth outfits also succumb to the ravages of time and require patching and cleaning.#N#If you decide to engage a doll doctor in creating new clothes for your doll, it is important that she is aware of the period in which the doll was designed and chooses the material accordingly.

How long does it take to get a doll back from the hospital?

General turn around time is 2-3 weeks. We will return your doll if for any reason you decide not to repair your doll. Hours of operation in the Doll Hospital are 7am to 7pm EST.

How many pieces of porcelain can be repaired?

PORCELAIN DOLLS – Broken porcelain parts can be repaired if not more than 8 pieces, otherwise replacement parts will have to be used. Most repairs can be done without being very noticeable. We also replace broken eyes or limbs with new ones. Padding, re-stuffing and re-stringing are available.

Can dolls have holes?

Some doll materials such as composition can have defects such as a hole or cracks filled or repaired. We determine what materials to use. Broken porcelain parts must be replaced. If the doll repair is for a doll that is missing an arm or both arms or leg or both legs, we can replace it.

Can you paint a doll after cleaning?

If paint is required after cleaning or if fill is required to fill defects, we will do that repair and then paint the part. Smoke damage and mold damage can be hard to clean, but usually will show significant signs of improvement to your doll.

What causes green marks on doll legs?

Plastics Over Metal. There is no known cure for this problem—metal inside of a doll limb will cause green marks in the plastic. You can see this effect in many Dawn dolls from the 1970s, on the knees of the dolls.

How to get rid of stickiness on dolls?

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.

What is sticky vinyl?

Sticky Vinyl Faces. Certain types of vinyl, including the vinyl used for certain #4/5 Barbies, are susceptible to stickiness from migrating plasticizers. Also, dolls made of hard and soft plastics often cause disintegration in one another—where the materials meet sticky.

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.

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.

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 make a doll arm?

Start with a length of elastic twice as long as the doll's body from the neck to the legs. Hook the head hook onto the elastic and drop the loop down into the body of the doll through the neck hole. Reach into the arm hole, pull out a loop of elastic and attach the appropriate arm to it.

How to see a hook and cord?

It is helpful to have a desk lamp shining into the hole to help you see the hook and cord. Secure the hook to the limb if you have pulled out a hook. If you have pulled out a loop of elastic, hook the limb to it. Gently ease the socket of the limb back into the hole in the body.

How are dolls held together?

Many antique dolls and some modern dolls are held together with rubber bands or loops of elastic cord. This elastic stretches and breaks with age or exposure to heat. Even display dolls can lose limbs or get too floppy to stand. It is difficult to find a replacement band in the exact size you need, but you can replace the band with a loop ...

How to replace rubber band on doll?

If it is still in one piece and just loose, gently pull a leg out of its socket, cut the band and pull it out. Do this with the doll resting on a soft surface such as a bed, because the arms, legs and possibly the head will all fall off when you pull the band loose.