Florida natives who are serious doll collectors keep their treasures behind glass and only take them out to clean the cabinet or give an interested guest a closer look. Sometimes people find great buys that are not in excellent condition. It can be very costly to take an antique to a professional restorer, so sometimes they decide to do the work themselves. Antique repair FL collectors handle on their own is usually of the cosmetic variety.
Dirty or matted wigs can be washed, if they are synthetic. Any gentle shampoo will work. Fabric softener can be used to wash wigs as well. You should not get the cap wet because it can shrink. If you do get water on it, put it back on the doll's head, and let it dry. You can cover the doll with a towel or plastic to keep the shampoo and water away from it.
It might take a tapestry needle or hatpin to comb mohair. If the wig needs an overall comb out, sectioning the hair and working on one section at a time may be necessary. Very fine wigs can be combed with a flea comb. Some collectors like to use pet combs to work with wigs. Embroidery or tapestry needles are good implements for separating and rejuvenating old curls.
Cloudy eyes can be remedied with the use of Renaissance wax, clock oil, or machine oil. Using vegetable oil on a composition doll is a bad idea. You need to cover the rest of the doll to keep oil off of it. Some oils can act as paint remover. Some collectors use nail polish to eliminate cloudy eyes. This can be effective, but it is also irreversible.
If you have a dirty bisque doll, you can buy some Orvus soap at your local tack or feed supply store to clean it. You can also use Renaissance wax found in some craft and jewelry supply stores. Websites that specialize in restoration supplies will have the wax as well. Renaissance wax is used by museums to conserve collections.
Depending on how adept you are at restoration, you could fill in missing pieces of a doll using modeling compound. Most experts prefer the air dry variety used by gourd artists. It molds without shrinking. You may have some trouble finding it, but it is available from shops that cater to that art form.
Any restoration raises ethical questions if you decide to sell, but none more so than painting. If you have to paint a restored section of a doll, you should put a barrier under it before you begin. That way your painting won't permanently alter the doll. You should use as little paint as possible when attempting this.
Collecting dolls can be a lot of fun. You don't have to spend tons of money on them either. Finding one that needs some tender loving care is one way to make the hobby special.
Dirty or matted wigs can be washed, if they are synthetic. Any gentle shampoo will work. Fabric softener can be used to wash wigs as well. You should not get the cap wet because it can shrink. If you do get water on it, put it back on the doll's head, and let it dry. You can cover the doll with a towel or plastic to keep the shampoo and water away from it.
It might take a tapestry needle or hatpin to comb mohair. If the wig needs an overall comb out, sectioning the hair and working on one section at a time may be necessary. Very fine wigs can be combed with a flea comb. Some collectors like to use pet combs to work with wigs. Embroidery or tapestry needles are good implements for separating and rejuvenating old curls.
Cloudy eyes can be remedied with the use of Renaissance wax, clock oil, or machine oil. Using vegetable oil on a composition doll is a bad idea. You need to cover the rest of the doll to keep oil off of it. Some oils can act as paint remover. Some collectors use nail polish to eliminate cloudy eyes. This can be effective, but it is also irreversible.
If you have a dirty bisque doll, you can buy some Orvus soap at your local tack or feed supply store to clean it. You can also use Renaissance wax found in some craft and jewelry supply stores. Websites that specialize in restoration supplies will have the wax as well. Renaissance wax is used by museums to conserve collections.
Depending on how adept you are at restoration, you could fill in missing pieces of a doll using modeling compound. Most experts prefer the air dry variety used by gourd artists. It molds without shrinking. You may have some trouble finding it, but it is available from shops that cater to that art form.
Any restoration raises ethical questions if you decide to sell, but none more so than painting. If you have to paint a restored section of a doll, you should put a barrier under it before you begin. That way your painting won't permanently alter the doll. You should use as little paint as possible when attempting this.
Collecting dolls can be a lot of fun. You don't have to spend tons of money on them either. Finding one that needs some tender loving care is one way to make the hobby special.
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