Rooting a vinyl head with moulded hair...

[Carrillo]

So, I have a 1/6 scale vinyl head with moulded hair. I want to root it instead. Obviously, the sculpted hair is in the way. So... How can I root or otherwise attach hair to the head? How do I remove the moulded hair? Help please! ^_^

[DollyKim]

Can you share some pics of the doll? Is the hair hard or soft?

[Carrillo]

I don't think I can root, as now that the head has arrived, it's pretty hard plastic and solid at the top (not hollow). This probably makes removing the moulded hair easier as I can just use a sander, but I don't how how to go about adding hair.

[DollyKim]

I've used Creative Paperclay, which is air dry, and Apoxie Sculpt or Milliput, which are two part compounds, to work on solid plastic heads. Both take acrylic paint easily.

[yarwel]

You could also consider making or buying a wig.
Theres a great tutorial for yarn wigs here. Wig caps are a little tricky to sew in the 1/6 scale size, but with patience it can be done. I find that thinking about the shape of a baseball cut in half helps with designing the pattern for a fabric wig cap. There is also a method using glue to make a form fitting wig cap. Once you have a wig cap, you can attach pre-wefted fibers(they are like a long ribbon with hair coming off, and you just sew or glue down the ribbon) or you can sew on individual strands of hair as if you were rooting.

[Carrillo]

Thanks. I want a wig rather than moulded or sculpted hair. I've made wigs in 1/3 scale before but not 1/6... And 1/3 was tricky enough! I'm gonna give it a go, though.

[DollyKim]

Some Monique brand wigs come in size 3-4, or a fake fur one might work. I've stuck roving wool on a head too.

What hair style do you want?

[Carrillo]

Some Monique brand wigs come in size 3-4, or a fake fur one might work. I've stuck roving wool on a head too.

What hair style do you want?

I'm gonna try to do the same style as the sculpted hair, which is brushed back (argh!!! Hairlines!!!). His head is now sanded bald and Miliput ear reconstruction is done, so I'm gonna try using nylon hair and making a wig cap, then gluing the hair. I've successfully done it in 1/3 scale (not neatly, but acceptable) so... Well, we shall see. He's going to be Loki from the marvel films.

[maywong]

You can also use mohair and attach it on the head.

[Carrillo]

You can also use mohair and attach it on the head.

Yeah, the synthetic stuff sticks up awfully. Think I'm gonna try mohair in future!