Composition Doll Repair
The most time consuming part of composition doll repair is in the sanding. After the paint removal, I sand the doll parts, then spray with a primer. Once the primer is dry, it is easy to see what has been missed and what still needs to be filled. Liquids like primer take the same shape as whatever you spray it on. Many people don’t understand that the paint will not fill all the cracks and dimples. Those all have to be filled and sanded smooth so the final coat of paint will be smooth. I do use a high fill primer, but it doesn’t fill very much. Sometimes I sand, prime, then sand and prime a couple more times. The doll pieces have to be perfectly smooth if I want the final product to be perfectly smooth. Sanding by hand takes many hours on most dolls.
Use a Sand-o-Flex for your composition doll repair.
A sand-o-flex sander is what I use to sand my doll parts and it saves me many hours of sanding time. I only do details like the face and fingers by hand. My dad put this together for me about 30 years ago and I have really used it. One place you can get one is: http://www.grithappens.com/products.php?m=meritabrasives&mid=77&cat=604 If you do much sanding, you will love this. I use it for all my composition doll repairs, even the tiny dolls. In the beginning, I used it to sand the latex composition bodies I was making, then I used it to sand my porcelain bisque dolls before china painting them. I still use it on my porcelain, but I also use it to sand the composition dolls before painting them. I love how smooth it gets everything. I have even used it to sand a celluloid doll repair. If I remount this, I will make the shaft longer and raise the motor up off the table a little higher.
Composition doll repair is so rewarding. You can take a doll that is a total basket case and bring it back to life again.
You might have seen some of my posts on my previous website. I transferred my blog articles to my new Forget Me Not Doll Repair website. 🙂
I am greatful I found your website !! Looking forward to repairing my first composition doll! ?? Thanks for the guidance!
Sherie
RubieMae, I have just found your website and sent you an email about repairing my composition doll. I want to give you kudos for your website, but especially for your work, as pictured on the site. Looking around on the internet, I see a lot of doll repair sites where the face and hair paint are overdone, with colors much stronger than would have been on the original doll. Your work has a degree of subtlety and restraint that to me is exactly what is needed, so that the doll looks as good as new, not “better” than new.
I have a composition doll that I just told my husband to take to the dump when I wasn’t looking. She is in very bad shape but not worse than the ones in your pictures. Her body is ok, the latex for arms and legs is totally gone and her face is in need of repair. If I send pictures would you tell me if you can repair her and approximately how much?
There are very few dolls that I cannot repair. Fill out the Free Doll Repair Quote and I will email you back with an estimate.
I have an effanbee Candy Kid composition doll from 1996 that is in parts – the arms, legs and head are unattached. Is there a chance it can be repaired? It has more sentimental value for me than anything since I am a “Candy Kid” a 70yr old one! And the doll was given to me by my 3 daughters – thank you
If you go to my homepage and click the Free Doll Bid Quote, you can add your dolly info and pictures. Then I will get back to you with an estimate.
I have a Shirley Temple doll that was my mothers. My mom was born in 1924, so she doll may be over 80 years old. Can you report her? I live in Tucson, AZ, and a daughter lives in Los Angeles. Where are you located? I can send a picture. Would that help?
My phone number at work is (520) 742-4804. You may call at any time because that is the easier place to reach me. Thank you.
If you click on the Free Doll Bid Quote on my homepage, there is a form you can fill out and pictures of your doll that you can add. Then I will get back with you on an estimate for repairs.
Hi, I am wondering if you can tell me about my doll… She is 24″ from head to toe… I bought her for $30 at an “antique” and junk store. She is in fair condition… but her arms just don’t seem right, they are 6″ from shoulder to finger tips… but don’t look like they match the legs. If you could tell me anything about her and know where I might get some correct “chubby” arms for her I would be very grateful. Thank you, Bebeth. Attached is a link to a pic of her. https://goo.gl/photos/21Ne7Uk37F7X9qMi9.