Oil - why is it bad?

[Dreamy Doll]

-:/-

[Greyhaunt]

Oil will permanently stain resin, vinyl, pretty much anything and the substances you would need to try and clean it off would probably eat the resin alive.

Being so new to dolls, what you might want to do is take some time to read through the posts in the Tips and Tricks area - particularly the ones that are stuck up at the top. I think you'll find that the answers to just about any question can be found here, even questions you didn't even know you had.

[Dreamy Doll]

-:/-

[zirconmermaid]

In addition to staining, oil can mix with the chemicals in resin and other plastics -- ABS, Vinyl, etc. and either melt them or simply never dry! It's really horrible to have a permanently sticky doll.

[Dreamy Doll]

-:/-

[Yanagi-sen]

In addition to staining, oil can mix with the chemicals in resin and other plastics -- ABS, Vinyl, etc. and either melt them or simply never dry! It's really horrible to have a permanently sticky doll.

Thanks <3 good to know~

Btw, now i have to ask: how much does this go for fingerprints? I mean, our skin is naturally oily... is it oily enough to stain the dolls?

This is why Rule #1: Don't touch the face... Rule #2: DON'T TOUCH THE FACE... ^_~ Yes, hands can stain/mar/etc the dolls. But since they are usually wearing some clothing, you just grab them around the middle or hips and no problem. But don't grab the chin for example to move the head. If you grab the ears (with the wig fibers in between) you can move the head around without risking the face up. Generally it's a good idea to make sure your hands are clean before handling the doll, especially if you are going to strip them and try not to touch areas that have been blushed, tattooed, or have a face up. ^__^

[Dreamy Doll]

-:/-

[Yanagi-sen]

thanks~ i would've thought the areas with faceup/etc would actually be safer since there's something (dye/colour/coating/w/e) between the resin and the outside environment... i guess i was wrong? :s

It's not the one time touch that is the problem... it's repetition. If you are constantly touching the face up, or blushing, or tattoo... over time it will wear away. This is why it is a good idea to get into the habit of NOT touching the face right from the start. MSC and sprays like it that are used to prep the surface and seal it, actually create 'tooth' so things like pastel powder have something to stick to. So even though the sealer protects, it also attracts dust and the like.

But that is why you have Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. Used dry it can remove surface marks. Used with high percentage isopropyl alcohol, it can remove face ups and more serious marks on resin. There is other stuff for stains on vinyl.

If you are going to be constantly touching, like for stop motion... you might want to think about gloves of some type. I just dress dolls and do really simple face ups, I don't mess around with animation. ^__^

[Greyhaunt]

I simply use lint free white cotton gloves that you can buy in bulk online. They are used for handling photographs, archival documents, etc...

The faceup may protect the resin, but your finger touching will ruin the faceup.

[Dreamy Doll]

-:/-