First…I want to wish everyone a Happy, Healthy and Joyous New Year! It’s hard to believe that 2012 is behind us and we have a New Year to look forward to. I came back to the Doll Hospital today and guess what I found when I opened my email?? QUESTIONS…yes–questions from my loyal, faithful and really cool blog readers.
First…. B.V. asks “Do you have any suggestions on how to remove stains caused by the dye from clothing?”
Yes B.V., I have an answer! I know from personal experience whenever I remove the dark or brightly colored clothing on any of my vinyl dolls….chances are pretty good I might find some stains. The best product I have used is “Remove-Zit” made by Twin Pines of Maine. It works by lifting out the stains over time…(usually 2 weeks or more) so you must have a bit a patience and give it time to do its magic. Many collectors swear by OXY 10 applied and left on for several days at a time. I have not personally tried that-but I always recommend whatever you try–test first on a tiny area…just in case. The Remove-zit comes with instructions that you must read and follow to protect your doll from damage.
Now…L.W. asks “My Matt got his foot stepped on. What is the best kind of glue to put him back together?”
This one is a bit tougher to answer as Matt has a pivot type joint with small plastic parts inside that ankle. To glue the break would prevent any movement of the foot so putting shoes on would be nearly impossible with a foot glued in place. Remember…Matt bodies are a combination of plastic and vinyl…and it is usually the brittle plastic joint that breaks. My suggestion would be to purchase a replacement body..or possibly just the lower half–so your Matt can walk and pose like he pleases!!
Another question from L.W. is “What is it we use on our fashion doll hair that makes the curls so hard?”
Oh…we call that crunchy here and those crunchy curls are held during that long ocean trip to our warehouse by using a non-alcohol strong hold hair gel. I agree–seems like curls of steel….but start scrunching and squeezing those curls for a few minutes and the crunch is gone–but curls are still there.
Another question “When you seal the face paint–what type of sealer do you use Brush on…or Spray on?”
OK…here I paint antique compo dolls with acrylics and usually seal with a matt sealer. When I paint resin–I always use Mr. Super Clear Matt and never seal a doll unless eyes are covered (in the case of inset). When sealing painted eyes…I use acrylic gloss sealers. I have had several questions come to me this week about the new vinyl Evangeline Ghastly bodies. The new vinyl and HP bodies are no longer strung—but rather on a neck button like Ellowyne and the Tonner gals. These bodies are the bomb!!! Did I mention how much I love them? I can tell you nearly all parts can be swapped out should you have a problem or issue, so no more hours in surgery for her! The one thing I can do to answer so many questions about this body is to show it. Yes T.C –you can see how the hands can be replaced when pup starts teething again…
Submit A Question to Dr. Noreen
email Noreen at: dollhospital@tonnerdoll.com
make the Subject: Questions for the Doll Doctor
click to find out more about the Tonner Doll Hosptal
January 12, 2013 at 2:43 pm
Really appreciate the pictures! will the knee joints on plastic Evangeline bend less than 90 degrees? I know some other bjd resins can just about sit on their heels with similar appearing jellybean knee joints but didnt think EG was quite there yet.
and i just got a vinyl EG on the secondary market and saw the join at the ankle. is her foot supposed to rotate or is this only a manufacturing type join that is not intended to be at all mobile?
thanks
January 16, 2013 at 11:33 am
Hi Frankie,
You are correct in that the new Evangeline knee joints do not go much farther than 90 degrees–but I can tell you that if you over bend a bit–the knee joint will pop out rather than break! (not unlike my knees) This new feature cuts down on issues and problems from hyper-extending the joints and I absolutely love them!!
The older vinyl EG body you describe has a seam at the ankle which is Not supposed to rotate. Unfortunately….it was a bit confusing and some feet actually snapped off when rotated. These newer bodies allow for so much posing without any kickiness, jumping, or moving due to elastic.
I did have a few Tonner collectors ask whose body this is…and I apologize for not making it clear. This body is on the newer Evangeline Ghastly’s sold directly through Wilde Imagination– http://www.wildeimagination.com
We also carry them here at the Tonner Company Store!
Thanks for asking!!
January 19, 2013 at 11:40 am
Hi, I really enjoy reading all the questions you receive and have learned alot from your answers. My question is about a 1950′s 19″ Ideal Toni doll. I purchased her on Ebay and she is lovely. I have cleaned her from top to toe and removed the ratty old wig, I bought a replacement Toni wig but do not want to put it on until I can restring her. I have never done this before but I have read several instuctions and seen some tutorials on the internet. I just do not know how to order the stringing cord or what size to use. Thanks for any help you can give me. Lois
January 23, 2013 at 3:31 pm
Hi Lois,
How wonderful you have a vintage Toni! The usual size is the P-90 which is only 14″…so you have a large version. We purchase elastic from a few different sources…but if you do a Google search for Doll supplies, you will find a few in your own area. Some shops sell an assortment of sizes packaged together as a lot and others will allow you to purchase just a few yards of the size you need. Don’t forget your local craft store as many now carry quite an array of doll products and supplies. When ordering…make sure you mention the height of doll as that is what determines how thick the stringing elastic needs to be. I recommend the 1/8 full which should be plenty strong enough. Here is a link which shows size comparisons :http://www.dollspart.com/spgm.cfm?dpt=H&srch=D6&item=12001
I hope this helps!!
April 1, 2013 at 10:11 pm
I have recently obtained a vintage MA Cissy doll. Someone glued her wig with an orange colored hard glue and got it all over her temporal area, one of her ears (badly) and her neck. I used Carol’s doll solvent which normally removes a lot of stains. She actually had her eyebrows drawn on with black magic marker and it took it right off!, I tried goo be gone but it did not even touch the glue. What can I use to remove this hard glue?
April 25, 2013 at 1:00 pm
Hi Rebecca,
Oh my…the goo-be-gone should have removed it! I am guessing this is an old permanent glue that has bonded with the plastic. Can you take the edge of a razor blade and carefully scrape to see if it will lift off? Do this in an area covered by wig…just in case. If all else fails–you may have to try sanding it off with the finest sandpaper you can find. A perfectly matching acrylic paint should then finish the job! So sorry I did not see this question sooner.
April 21, 2013 at 1:27 pm
Greetings..I have a Effanbee Dy-Dee baby doll…it was purchased about 1946…needing new arms and legs..and top of head..she was one that you could give a bottle to and she would wet the diaper…I am wonderinf if I could purchase the limbs ? Or if I can send it in would you give me and idea of the cost? I am a senior trying to survive on SS ..thinking since my Bonnie has made it this far perhaps i can fix it up for my granddaughter.
thank you for your help…katn1125@hotmail.com phone is 518-608-6205
again..thank you
April 25, 2013 at 1:06 pm
Hi Kathleen,
I sent an answer to your email address covering all of your options. Due to the fragile nature of these rubber bodies–when they become brittle and start to crumble–a donor body is the only way to go!! I have been wishing a nice vinyl body with a neck and flange will become available for all those gorgeous Dy-Dee heads sitting in boxes somewhere. Since a perfect vinyl match has yet to be found–you will need a donor Dy-Dee rubber body that is still in great shape. The head can then be attached easily.
The Doc
May 8, 2013 at 11:51 am
I just talked to you about my patti playpal getting cleaned and hair done, if you could send me the forms that would be great thanks cherie
May 9, 2013 at 12:24 pm
Hi Cherie,
Please email me directly at dollhospital@tonnerdoll.com and I can reply with the admissions form.
Thanks so much, the Doc!