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Date: Sep 21, 2009

How do I remove paint from the doll without harming the plastic?

mkhammy1 · Senior Member

Hi Michelle! Don't worry - all is not lost! My first reborn kit was the Secrist Course 2, which was a Zoe. I had the same problem. As I see it, you've got 2 options. You can totally remove all the paint using acetone and start over. If you use acetone, don't use nail polish remover, it just doesn't seem to be very effective. I picked up acetone at the hardware store. Be sure you wash your parts immediately after using the acetone in warm, soapy water! BUT here's the other option, and the one I used. I don't think the kit came with Flesh 08 or Flesh 07 paints, but you can order them separately from Secrist. What I did was to use the Flesh 08 and pounce on with a mushroom sponge (also available from Secrist). I did not cover the entire baby, just spaced the 08 randomly. Then I baked, and then used the Flesh 07 with the smaller mushroom sponge and pounced on less than the 08 and even more randomly. It gave my baby a really nice mottled look! I prefer to add paint until I get the tone I want rather than to use acetone and start over. If you are using Secrist paints, you can really add as many layers as you need without any problem. There are lots of experienced artists on this forum who can help as well. Hope this helps you! Don't give up. You'll be so glad you kept trying! Hugs, Melinda

Date: Sep 22, 2009

Hi-
Thank you. I wish I had read this before I started using nail polish remover to get rid of all the paint wink

90% of it came off so I will just restart her. I hope she ends up looking real when I am done. Her legs and hands to me look like a normal doll. I think maybe I rub to much to get the acces shading off

I know it takes time but I really want at least one doll to be like wow that's fake. I enjoyed it so much I bought more of the secrist kits. I just hope that I get better dont want to give up it looks so cool how some of them turn out smile

Thank you agian I will not give up and next time I will use acitone I just thought that would hurt the vinal.

Buffington · Guru

Thanks for those ideas Melinda! One really quick and easy way to fix your baby Michelle would be to just do a "color correction" on it. This is covered in many threads in forum. Basically you will find out what color needs to be toned down by matching it on your color wheel. Then take the exact opposite color on the wheel and add a tiny toothpick end of it to your flesh color (which it sounds like you will have to order some anyway) and mix well. Pounce that onto the area(s) that need to be color corrected, then bake as usual.

I used to go a little overboard with the blush too and this really saved my babies. When in doubt, search the forum! We've got more talent in here than you can shake a stick at and the artists are all pretty wonderful about helping. And remember... less is more, you can always do another layer if it's too light!

Date: Sep 24, 2009

I finaly finished it biggrin

She may not be perfect but I am so proud of myself for not giving up. My little 3 year old son loved it to he wanted to hold it. It looks nice not bad for a first time I am so happy smile

The actione was much better than the nail polish remover. I didn't get all of the paint off in the eye crease but she still looks good. Nothing I could sell but it makes me happy and that is good enough for me. But I plan on doing it more so I can get better and maybe give them as gifts to my family or something like that. Thank you all for you help and advice it means alot aww

Michelle

Buffington · Guru

Glad it worked out for you. We are always proudest of our first babies, I think a lot of that has to do with the fact that we made it ourselves, no matter how it turns out. It's something to be proud of. :)

Dede · Newbie

I am new to this and I want to start with a 14" doll with painted on hair. Will this method work to remove that paint too?

sage brush nursery · Guru

is she plastic or vinyl, if she vinyl just get some nail polish remover and makup remover pads(cotton). that'll take it off but don't get it on the eyes--- bath her immeditly after. i use dawn dish soap ,then i give mine a lovely hot soak in a baby shampoo bubble bath. about 10 min, it makes them baby sweet biggrin

. sage aww

Play Days Dolls · Guru

Sage is right. Try not to get the acetone on the eyes as they will be ruined. I would recommend removing the eyes if this is a play doll. If you will be using the heat set paints, the eyes will be heated in an oven to 265 degrees. Sometimes the eyes in a play doll will melt at that temperature.

Linda

Dede · Newbie

Thank you; This is a vinyl doll - another company. I want to use this doll to get some experience. It is a AA doll and the molded hair has been colored black. I will try what you suggest.

Dede · Newbie

Thank you for the advice.

Play Days Dolls · Guru

Best of luck! We would love to know what you decide to do and how it works out.

Buffington · Guru

Be sure not to rub with whatever you decide to use to take off the color. It can cause shiny spots that will not take paint afterwords. Just sop the pad with the liquid, then gently wipe the area, turn over, do it again. Get another pad and start over with more liquid, etc...

prdiana1 · Newbie

Hello to everyone!
This might be a dumb question but, is there a way to tell if a doll is platic or vinyl, i saw a doll that I would like to reborn but I dont know if i can use this method on her. I love this forum!
Thank You

tweetywoo · Veteran Member

I just don't like reborning from a doll that you remove paint from any more as you never know how it will affect that vynil as they are'nt made for reborning like the kits. The kits are just so much easier & if you want it to be a one of a kind can take a head from one & add legs from another you know. I am making a snooky berenguer head with Ben legs from Bountiful & I have just learned that sometimes reborning from a doll already painted is great & other times can't get the shine off of them & Matt varnish does'nt work on some of the vynils & just a real pain in the rear to me. The berenguers can be bought blank & they are very popular with buyers who like that look. I use goof off though as acetone does'nt seem as fast & lots of rubbing & then wash it good with soap & water.

tweetywoo · Veteran Member

Green tones down reds & might try a mint wash on her followed by another flesh layer. You know you can buy that mint wash & it is very handy. Good luck!

tweetywoo · Veteran Member

I just learned something new about the blush & you can take the flesh tone you are using & put a drop or 2 in the blush mix & a toothpick touch of green & get a very compatable blush color. Do this in particular with the Asian babies & African American, Hispanic babies. I am using the Strawberry too now from secrist & the peach colors on the blonds for undertones.

Play Days Dolls · Guru

The only ways I know to distinguish vinyl from plastic : read the label on the box or on the doll (if available) to see if the composition is listed; go by touch as plastic is usually less supple and harder than vinyl.

Linda

-- Edited by Play Days Dolls on Tuesday 1st of June 2010 10:56:13 PM

Play Days Dolls · Guru

Secrist has a product called "Orange Remover" that is a sort of mint green, I have used it to tone down the reddish color, and love the product. It is so convenient--no mixing as it's ready to go right out of the jar.

Buffington · Guru

You can usually google the doll and find out information. If it's an older doll (I mean from like 20 years ago or so) it probably is plastic not vinyl. Kind of important because Genesis does not recommend using the heat set paints on "plastic" as it can do something to it. Or you can look in Doll Reader magazine for the section called ask the doll lady. She pretty much knows all! :)

mactopolis · Senior Member

Michelle

What I found that actually helped me with a similar mistake(s) and that is:
AR(Secrist Authenic Reborn Foundation)Foundation Skin(Do not use thinner with it !!!)

Use the Round Application Sponge they sell(the little round yellow ones with the wooden handle)This littlest one works like a dream to fix similar problems.

The important key here is to 1st apply a very very lite coat(just tip the head of the sponge directly into the jar,wipe off access)ponch the affect area(s) quickly then heat set with heat gun/powerful hair dryer,hold dryer 5-6 inches from vinyl,circle motions,about 5 minutes..if that does'nt dissolve the entire issue then applied another coat,a lite normal coat.

I've used it on several occasions to correct over,veining,over mottling,over blushing and even severe shininess.

Daddy's Little Treasure
(Steven)

-- Edited by mactopolis on Tuesday 25th of May 2010 08:28:56 PM

Buffington · Guru

mactopolis wrote:

... quickly then heat set with heat gun/powerful hair dryer,hold dryer 5-6 inches from vinyl,circle motions,about 5 minutes..if that does'nt dissolve the entire issue then applied another coat,a lite normal coat.

I hope you're not really using a "powerful hair dryer" to set your heat-set paints!
If you are then I can guarantee you that they are not permanent, no matter how they look now. Genesis (the maker of all heat-set paints) says that you:

"must heat-set the paints at 265F for 8 minutes" to be sure they are permanent. You can use a "heat gun" that is totally different than any hair dryer. It gets to temps of over 350F and you hold 3-5" away from vinyl and go around in circular motions for about the count of 3-4, then go to the next spot.

Sorry I jumped on this but I don't want anyone thinking they can just use a hair dryer.