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Cruiselady · Newbie

Help, I just started my first doll and I've already goofed something up!

Aviva · Senior Member

Hi hon...it's not too late...is the streaking really bad? If you hadn't baked him, you could take a cosmetic wedge and put a bit of the oderless paint thinner and blot it really good and then just pounce that bit of thinner on it and it should start to lighten up...If it take a little more thinner..then just dab a little more on untiil you get the look. If you didn't wash him that say you really have to do that. Also that internal wash..my first zoe was just as fair as they come...I didn't put that purple stuff..I didn't know it was pretty much what you have to do. If you want to remove all the paint to start over, just get you a bottle (Walmart..or anyplace just about) of acetone. NOt the acetone free. Then get you some cotton balls or pads and pour the acetone into a little glass bowl, dish..just a bit and then dip the cotton and then wipe it downward...don't scrub it. Just gently ru it down and throw that ball away or turn it around so that you are not trying to wipe it with the paint that has been removed. Then I would wash it all really good in a good grease cutter...I have used Dawn or even clarifying shampoo. I guess just as long as he's clean. Then let him dry..really good. Don't try putting a heat gun up at the neck....it will blow out the motor or heating element. I like to hank the parts up so they can drain..really you can prop them up and tip them a putt something under...even clean paper towels...let it dry mabe overnight. I know it's so hard..you just want to get the baby done..it's almost like waiting for labor to start. lolol I'm having to learn to be patient. I worked as a nursery nurse and I tell you...you have to 'move yourself around pretty quickly. I admitted 17 babies in a 5 hour span once. I thought I was going to drop from all that stuff. I had paperwork on top of paperwork. I had a piece of bubble gum in my mouth and I was popping bubbles and really into my work...doing great and the visitors couldn't see me..hehe...well they could if they really tried....I was in St. Joseph's hospital in Phoenix, AZ and Sister Alice knocked on that glass next to me and I almost jumped out of my skin. She pointed to her mouth and made the motion to spit that out. You know what? I could concentrate better with the gum. haha..I'll never forget that day.LOLOL..I'm sorry hon...just been rambling today.
But listen just take your time with your little Zoe and You could have him stripped and washed tonight and maybe be ready tomorrow afternoon. Just make sure. I put mine in the warmer areas of my home. JUst enjoy. I've done two different Zoe.s and I love them..boy and girl.

Play Days Dolls · Guru

Welcome to the forum! This is just the right place to to come when you have questions or need advice about making your Secrist doll.

As long as you have not baked the paint, it isn't too late to take the paint off. Some paint colors (like blue), however, do tend to leave a stain of sorts on the vinyl so you should always try to remove those colors right away. For the color that you cannot remove, you try to correct the problem with the subsequent layers of paint.

if you have not baked the doll, you can remove the paint with paint thinner. I personally like the Mona Lisa odorless paint thinner that I get at the Michael's store, but any brand should work.

Put some odorless paint thinner on a paper towel and try to rub the paint off.

If you don't have the paint thinner, try washing the paint off the doll using regular dishwashing detergent like Dawn, Palmolive, Joy, etc. Although it is technically an oil based paint, detergent and water will clean off the paint before it is baked. After it is baked and the paint is cured, it is much more difficult to remove paint, and most reborners try to avoid it if at all possible.

You are already on the right track since you asked the question prior to baking the paint. whenever you are in doubt, stop and delay baking until you are sure.

Again, welcome!

Play Days Dolls · Guru

Aviva has some great advice and instructions for removing the paint after it's baked. Thanks, Aviva!

P.S. I didn't know you worked down at St. Joe's here in Phoenix. Too bad you had to get rid of the gum, Chewing gum seems to help me focus better, too.

Cruiselady · Newbie

Thanks so much for the good advice! It's only one small spot that probably can be corrected with a small amount of dish soap, but I was afraid to put too much water on. I read how the doll needed to dry for 24 hrs, so I didn't try soap or much water. I don't have anything but the kit, so if the soap doesnt work I will have to get some odorless paint remover. To my understanding the paint will not set until it has been heated. If the soap and water does not work can I wait to use the remover, or is it time sensitive and needs to be removed ASAP?

Thanks again!

Jen

Aviva · Senior Member

I WOULDN'T THINK IT WOULD MATTER...AS LONG AS IT'S GOOD AND DRY. iF YOU HAVE NOT BAKED IT AT ALL, THEN IF THE SOAP AND WATER DOESN'T WORK..I'D USE THE ACETONE. IT'S CHEAP AND IT WORKS GOOD. bUT i DOUBT YOU WOULD NEED IT. USE THE PAINT THINNER (I USE ODORLESS MINERAL SPIRITS FROM WALMART.) IT WORKS LIKE ANY OTHER ODORLESS MINERAL SPIRITS. I THINK MINERAL SPIRITS IS JUST THAT. I BUY IT BY THE GALLON. THIS IS MY OPINION AND NOT THAT OF OTHERS. I JUST CAN'T PAY THAT MUCH FOR A FEW OUNCES. I THINK MY DOLLS COME OUT PRETTY GOOD ..MOSTLY I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT AND I'VE USED IT FOR A YEAR NOW. I SPILL AND KNOCK THINGS OVER AND SIT ON THEM ETC. I THOUGHT WHEN YOU SAID YOU USED THE BLUSH, I THOUGHT YOU HAD DONE A WARM WASH AND BAKED IT ALREADY. STILL IF YOU HAD..YHOU FCAN STILL GET THE LAYER THAT HAS NOT BEEN HEATED OR SET. gOSH..JUST THE FOOT...YOU CAN PROBABLY JUST DO THAT..OH..YEAH...YOU DID SAY YOU DIDN'T WASH IT. tHE FIRST TIME i USED SOMETHING BESIDES BB II DIDN'T KNOW YOU HAD TO WASH IT OR PUT PURPLESTUFF IN IT. I HAVE FOUND THAT I BOUGHT A DOLL LESS THAN 2 YEARS AGO THAT HAD THE STUFF IN IT...bb lUCY BY MARISSA MAY...SHE'S VERY SHINY AND BLUE. SO...THAT'S WHY I LIKE THE PINK KITS. THEY JUST WORK FOR ME. ON THE PICTURES OF THE MOBY SCULPT I DONT THINK HE LOOKS TOO RED OR ANYTHING. hE LOOKS VERY NATURAL...I DIDN'T WASH HIM EITHER. i DID TRY SOMTHING ONCE. I TOOK SOME 91% ALCOHOL AND WIPED IT OFF LIGHTLY. ALSO YOU ALL, DENISE PRATT SAYS WHEN SHE WENT TO WASH HER BRUSH..SHE DIPPED IT IN ALCOHOL AND SAID IT CLEANED IT PRETTY NICELY. DIDN'T KNOW THAT. :)

Play Days Dolls · Guru

Great question, Jen. No, it is not time sensitive so use the paint remover when the doll parts are dry.. You can go straight from washing to using odorless paint thinner, but you must pass "dry" first.

Drying for 24 hours is not written in stone either. I live in the desert and water generally evaporates much faster here. It doesn't matter if I dry something for 24 hours or whether the process was helped with a towel. You will want both the inside and outside of the pieces to be dry before you apply another substance.

Water will not hurt the kit so wash away. Just make sure it's dry before you continue with subsequent steps.

You may want to buy some odorless paint thinner to have on hand anyway. You can also use it to clean your brushes (or you can wash with dish soap).

Cruiselady · Newbie

Thanks for the info! I have not touched the legs and arms yet, I started with the head. It would of made sense to start with a leg first since I'm not familar with the pouncing method yet. I was just trying to copy what I was watching on the viedo.

Thanks again!

Jen

Cruiselady · Newbie

Thanks for the info! I will try the soap and water first.

Thanks,

Jen