restoring an 80s plush doll's painted face
November 28, 2010 6:35 PM Subscribe
Restoring 80s-era Playskool "Jammie Pies" plush doll--her painted eyes have worn off, how can I fix this?
For my first Christmas I was given a Jammie Pies doll--this one, in fact (not my photo)--and 24 years later she still has significant sentimental value to me. (and yes I still sleep with her, shut up)
Her painted eyes have been slowly wearing off for about the past 15 years or so. Like an idiot tonight, though, I hastened the process. She was looking a little grubby so I sprayed her with some Spray n Wash and put her in a pillowcase for the washing machine, which I have done plenty of times before. However, this time I apparently sprayed her right in the face with the stuff and when I took her out of the pillowcase the irises of her painted eyes had been completely rubbed/worn/washed off.
I was (and am) pretty crushed (and god she looks creepy). The outline of her eyes and eyelashes is still there. I'm trying to figure out how to fix this, and my best bet so far has been an Etsy Alchemy request. But I don't even know what she's made out of--while apparently a collector's item now as they were only made for two years or so I guess, there's not a lot of information about the Jammie Pies brand.
I guess I'm hoping that someone out there has one with an intact tag and can tell me what her vinyl/rubbery face is made out of so I can put that in my Alchemy request. What kind of paint would even make for a semi-permanent eyeball for her? I've already contacted the person who posted that Flickr photo.
If I had to I'd never wash her again. I just want her to go back to looking like a dolly and not something out of a D-rated horror flick. Any ideas or suggestions at all would be welcome. Thank you!
For my first Christmas I was given a Jammie Pies doll--this one, in fact (not my photo)--and 24 years later she still has significant sentimental value to me. (and yes I still sleep with her, shut up)
Her painted eyes have been slowly wearing off for about the past 15 years or so. Like an idiot tonight, though, I hastened the process. She was looking a little grubby so I sprayed her with some Spray n Wash and put her in a pillowcase for the washing machine, which I have done plenty of times before. However, this time I apparently sprayed her right in the face with the stuff and when I took her out of the pillowcase the irises of her painted eyes had been completely rubbed/worn/washed off.
I was (and am) pretty crushed (and god she looks creepy). The outline of her eyes and eyelashes is still there. I'm trying to figure out how to fix this, and my best bet so far has been an Etsy Alchemy request. But I don't even know what she's made out of--while apparently a collector's item now as they were only made for two years or so I guess, there's not a lot of information about the Jammie Pies brand.
I guess I'm hoping that someone out there has one with an intact tag and can tell me what her vinyl/rubbery face is made out of so I can put that in my Alchemy request. What kind of paint would even make for a semi-permanent eyeball for her? I've already contacted the person who posted that Flickr photo.
If I had to I'd never wash her again. I just want her to go back to looking like a dolly and not something out of a D-rated horror flick. Any ideas or suggestions at all would be welcome. Thank you!
I used watered down acrylic paint to repaint my dog's eyes (errr... toy dog) when I did something similar. It wasn't on vinyl but my previous experience painting on vinyl suggests it would be an adequate fix... worst case scenario, you'd be able to wash any abortive painting attempts off with a bit of scrubbing.
If you're not that fussed on copying the original eyes, you can get eye stickers from craft shops - I think school kids use them for various craft projects. It'd at least stop the creep-factor.
Good luck.
posted by indienial at 3:15 AM on November 29, 2010
If you're not that fussed on copying the original eyes, you can get eye stickers from craft shops - I think school kids use them for various craft projects. It'd at least stop the creep-factor.
Good luck.
posted by indienial at 3:15 AM on November 29, 2010
Meant to say -- I watered down the acrylic paint to make it a bit thinner. I found full-strength paint fro the craft shop was a bit gloopy and lumpy. Your paint may vary.
posted by indienial at 3:16 AM on November 29, 2010
posted by indienial at 3:16 AM on November 29, 2010
Response by poster: Thanks for the ideas. I think I'll try acrylic paints first (after loooots of practice) and if that doesn't work, doll hospital it is!
posted by adrianna aria at 5:20 PM on December 1, 2010
posted by adrianna aria at 5:20 PM on December 1, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by corey flood at 6:45 PM on November 28, 2010