Ethan Clarke
Repairing hard plastic dolls can be a complex process, requiring a variety of tools and techniques. Rewiring, or restringing, is a common repair for vintage and antique dolls, often done when limbs hang limply or fall off. This process involves removing old elastic and threading new elastic through the doll's body, requiring precision and patience. Other repairs may include remodelling missing parts, re-rooting hair, or treating stickiness caused by migrating plasticizers. The use of epoxy is also an option for repairing splits or sculpting new parts. Restoring dolls can be a delicate task, and it's important to consider the potential impact of chemicals and tools on the doll's materials.
Characteristics and Values Table for Rewiring a Hard Plastic Doll
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tools | Hemostat, hand drivers, clock repair tools, doll-stringing elastic, epoxy, shampoo, conditioner, glue, lubricant, etc. |
| Common Repairs | Restringing, remodelling missing parts, repainting, recolouring, restyling hair, cleaning, sculpting new parts, etc. |
| Precautions | Avoid power screwdrivers and drills, use hand drivers instead, avoid glues near moving pieces, use lubricants sparingly, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
Repairing splits with epoxy
When repairing splits in hard plastic dolls, epoxy is a highly effective adhesive. Epoxy can be used to repair PVC plastic, hard plastic, resin, composition, and vinyl. It is available in the painting section of hardware stores, and comes in several varieties, including a putty-like stick form, and a mix of two vials.
To repair splits with epoxy, first ensure your hands are not dripping wet, but slightly damp. This will prevent the epoxy from sticking to your hands. Cut off a piece of epoxy and knead it together to mix the two parts. The epoxy is ready to use when it is a uniform colour. Work quickly, as the epoxy dries fast. Ensure your doll has been cleaned and dried before applying the epoxy to the split. Try to get the edges as smooth as possible while the epoxy is still wet, as it will be easier to sand down later.
For larger splits, you can use epoxy resin injection. Clean and dry the area around the split, then mix the epoxy resin and hardener according to the manufacturer's instructions. Inject the epoxy into the split using a syringe or squeeze bottle, then clamp the area until the epoxy cures.
After you have finished your repairs, leave the doll untouched for at least two hours. If it is humid or rainy, the epoxy may take longer to dry.
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Using epoxy to sculpt new parts
Epoxy is a great product to use to sculpt new parts for your doll. You can use it to repair PVC plastic, hard plastic, resin, composition, and more. Epoxy can be found in the painting section of hardware stores and comes in various kinds. Some have two different vials that must be mixed like paint, while others come in putty-like sticks.
To sculpt new parts, start by cutting off a piece of epoxy and kneading it together to mix the two parts. When the epoxy is a uniform colour, it is ready to use. It dries fast, so try to only take as much as you will use in a short period—no more than 20 minutes. Ensure your doll has been cleaned and dried before applying the epoxy.
Apply the epoxy to the area and use a skewer or other sculpting tools to form it as desired, as if you were using modelling clay. Try to get the piece as finished as possible while sculpting and avoid relying too much on sanding to shape it. You can also use epoxy to fill in tiny splits or factory flaws where the seams don't meet. Simply rub a small amount of epoxy into the split and clean the excess off the surface with a skewer or wet paper towel.
Apoxie Sculpt is a popular brand of epoxy clay that blends sculpting with epoxy. It is made from resin (Part A) and hardener (Part B) and creates a smooth, putty-like consistency when mixed. It typically takes 24 hours to cure and is perfect for bonding and creating solid foundations. When using Apoxie Sculpt, it is recommended to wear protective gloves, a dust mask, and safety glasses to ensure safety and thorough mixing.
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Restringing the limbs
Before restringing, choose doll-restringing elastic in the same size that was originally used. If the original elastic is not available, consider the size of the hook or loop on the limbs of the doll and choose an elastic that fits comfortably without leaving too much room. Heavy composition and bisque need stronger elastic than vinyl dolls.
Look at the doll limbs and head (each part should have a hook or loop) and decide which pattern you want to use to restring the doll. If your doll is still loosely strung with original elastic, cut it now and look at the path of the elastic before you remove it completely. If you don't know how your doll was originally strung, experiment with the elastic, trying to string different parts to others to see how the limbs lie best. Once you've decided the restringing pattern, start to restring the doll.
Estimate how much elastic you will need to string the arms together and make a knot, usually around double the length of the torso, plus enough to form the knot. Cut this piece of elastic. Using the example of the head and legs strung together with the arms strung separately, take your cut piece of elastic and string it through one arm's loop or hook, leaving one end of the elastic outside the doll's torso.
Make a tight knot. If you have a hemostat, grasp both ends of elastic in the hemostat (coming through the one armhole and doll arm loop/hook) after tightly pulling the elastic to an appropriate pressure. Don't pull too hard—you can easily break delicate composition or bisque if you do. Clamp your hemostat. If you don't have a hemostat, simply pull both ends of elastic tightly. Tie a knot that won't slip out, such as double-knotting in opposite directions. Cut any extra lengths of elastic to near the knot. Release your hemostat (or your grip on the elastic) carefully. Repeat the entire process with the legs and head.
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Cleaning and restoring the doll's hair
To clean and restore a doll's hair, you should first determine its condition. If the hair is extremely tangled, start by gently brushing it with a wide-toothed comb, working from the ends up to the roots. If the hair is dirty but not tangled, you may want to begin with a light shampoo.
To shampoo the hair, fill a bowl or sink with lukewarm water and add a mild shampoo or dish soap. Dunk the hair into the water, being careful not to get the doll's eyes wet, as this can cause damage. Gently swish the hair in the water to remove dirt and grime. Rinse the hair thoroughly with lukewarm water until all the soap is removed.
If the doll's hair is very dry or frizzy, you can apply a small amount of conditioner or fabric softener. Leave it on for a few minutes before rinsing it out completely. Gently squeeze out the excess water and pat the hair dry with a towel. Avoid wringing or twisting the hair, as this can cause damage.
For extremely frizzy hair, you can try a boil wash. Heat a pot of water until it's hot, but not boiling, and dip the hair into the water for a few seconds. Be careful not to get the doll's body wet. Comb through the hair immediately after dipping and then gently squeeze out the excess water.
To style the hair, you can use a steamer. Cover the doll's face with a cloth to protect it from heat and moisture. Point the steamer at the ends of the hair and work your way up. Use a brush or comb to manage frizz and tangles as you go. Once the hair is dry, brush it out again, focusing on removing any remaining frizz or tangles.
To restore shine, you can use a small amount of baby oil. Rub it gently into the hair with your thumb and forefinger. Be careful not to use too much oil, as this can make the hair sticky and attract dirt.
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Repainting the face
Once the face is clean, you can begin the repainting process. If you are repainting the eyebrows, it is important to note that these are the hardest feature to repaint and make them look normal. You will need to mix brown, white, and black paints to get the right colour, which will vary depending on the doll. Use a doll with nice brows as a guide for measurement and shape, making tiny, light pencil marks as a guide. Remember that Barbie's eyebrows are usually not totally symmetrical, so you don't need to copy the right and left brows exactly, but you should try to get the overall "look" right. If you make a mistake, you can remove the paint with alcohol and a toothpick.
For the rest of the face, you can use acrylic paints, which are commonly used for repainting vinyl dolls. You will need to seal the paint with a varnish to protect it and give it a smooth finish. If you are repainting the lips, be aware that collectors generally do not want to purchase restored dolls with repainted lips, so this may reduce the value of your doll.
Finally, if you are using epoxy for repairs on the face, be sure to let it dry for at least two hours before handling. Epoxy dries fast, so only take as much as you will use in a short period, and try to smooth out the edges as much as possible while it is still wet, as it can be sanded down later.
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Frequently asked questions
Hard plastic epoxy is a great way to repair a split in a hard plastic doll. You can find it in the painting section of a hardware store. Cut off a piece of epoxy, knead it together, and apply it to the split. Try to smooth the edges as much as possible while the epoxy is wet. You can sand it down later, but it's easier to do as much as you can while applying it.
Restringing a doll with a basic 5-part body is quite easy and will take about 20 minutes. Choose doll-restringing elastic in the same size as the original elastic. Cut the original elastic, look at the path it takes, and then experiment with the new elastic to see how the limbs lie best. Then, start restringing. Tie a knot, string the elastic through one arm's loop or hook, leaving one end outside the torso, and repeat the process with the legs and head.
Many collectors use regular shampoo (baby shampoo works well) and conditioner to wash a doll's hair. You can also use a mild, regular soap such as Joy, followed by a fabric conditioner like Downy to soften and detangle the hair. However, be aware that Downy will fade the hair colour on certain dolls. If you use a fabric softener, ensure it is dye-free and dilute it. You can set the hair using cut straws, bobby pins, or thin metal tubing.
