This is the same composition doll my grandma got as her first baby doll in 1939! Its chipped and has a an arm falling off. I want to restore one day. She got it to commemorate her quitting biting her nails. I have been biting my nails for 20 years and this last year I stopped. For xmas i asked my papa if i could have grandma's doll to commemorate my quitting biting my nails. Wonderful to know more history about this cutie doll. Even with her chipped face, I love mine. But it freaks everyone else out who sees it! 😅
Best tutorial I have ever seen on restoring and old doll like this. I have one waiting to be restored. I haven't had the time or nerve to restore her yet and this video sure has helped me get ready. Thank you.
Thank you, Melanie! It’s very valuable that you share “failure” moments and ways to fix it- really important for amateurs like myself! Great tutorial that shows how the patience will result in excellent quality restoration:)))
All right! Excellent first try with oils, Melanie! To answer the gesso question, it's thirds. One third plaster of paris, one third oil paint, and one third glue. I see that you bought my recommendations. Now you have everything as far as paint is concerned, and it will last many years. As you've found out, a quart of oil paint will last FOREVER! Oils go on smoothly and give that lovely finish that acrylics simply can't achieve. Here's the fine points you need to know. Steel wool and a toothpick can make excellent sanding material for tricky curves and crevasses. Just wrap a bit of the steel wool around the toothpick and go at it. Yes, sanding is a pain, but the results are so worth it because the definition of the mold shows up with proper care. BTW? Take the head off BEFORE you chip. It saves time in the end and you can get the base of the head done in one fell swoop. Frequently, the doll manufacturer name is printed on the neck rim of these dolls where you don't see it, so it pays to do ALL the chipping. I would suggest that you get some linseed oil to wipe on the doll between sanding and painting. That wood is elderly and needs some nourishment. Why linseed? It's plant based and is the basis for oil paints! Doing this step will make the paint go on even smoother and will make the paint 'stick' better. It might even close those pores up a bit. LOL! At least that's my theory...and I'm sticking to it. Nice airbrushing! You can get in a bit closer on your overall brushing of the skin tone. It won't drip as most people think, it might pool a bit, but if you keep the gun moving, it shouldn't be a problem. Tip on overall painting...move right to left in a straight line for even color distribution with your base coat. For the hair, start in the crown (as you did) and concentrate the color there, then move in a circle around that crown. Surprise! You just taught me something! When you are in the edges with the curls, wipe the paint off the highlights! I hadn't thought of that, but it's exactly how the manufacturers did it to simulate that fine baby hair. I'm impressed hon, keep at it! Now, work on your eyelash painting, you need a bit of practice. AND! Think of adding a tiny bit of blue blushing to the edge of the eyelid. You'll see that on the finer dolls. Effanbee, Alexander, and Arranbee all used that trick to make the babies dainty!
Dodi's Dolls thank you Dodi! Your knowledge and expertise helped me so very much! I will keep practicing and with you to help... it can only get better 🤗🤗🤗
this video helped me fix my grandma's old doll. Thank you a lot for the tutorial! she looks much better now with her new paint job and my grandma is very impressed ^^
I think you did a great job doing this makeover for this composition doll. I love the fact that you owned up to your mistakes and realise that your still learning and not beat yourself up about it. You did the best you could and she looks phenomenal. I even learned a thing or two from you. Thank you so much for the upload. It was really a pleasure to see the restoration process. Oh and the music is so super chill. I love it. I was moving my head along with the tune while you were in your creative process. Don't mind that it's the musician in me. Again thank you so much. I can't wait until I see more future videos concerning antique dolls. Bye now and God bless you 🤗💝💕💕.
Thank you! Yes I am definitely still learning and trying to have patience. The sanding part is the hardest for me. Thank you for watching and I am happy you found it easy to watch 🤗 Melanie
Good job! I’m doing a small metal head. Many, many fill ins with Apoxie Sculpt, and sandings. I did 3 coats of auto primer, after first 2 more sanding. I put at least 8 coats of oil flesh with a brush. I got an air brush for the hair when I get the nerve. 😂
Wow! I love watching doll restorations and customs, but watching older dolls getting the second chance after all those years takes the cake! I absolutely adore baby dolls and they seem much happier :). In my experience, shading and blushing the cheeks and head would be easiest with chalk pastels. Just scrape some dust off the chalk and dust some on with a dry paintbrush. You can erase with a kneaded eraser. I also think starting with a coat of Gesso would help with prepping for painting and filling in all those holes left over from sanding. When you were mixing colors, I think adding a little of a contrasting color like green or blue would’ve made the skin color a bit dull like realistic skin. Overall, I think that little baby look fantastic! Great Job! 😁
Cool Awesomw Job Repairing that doll I was looking Up Videos on How to Repair Composition Dolls & Yours was the 1st one listed I Bought 2 Composition Dolls 2 Years Ago A Shirley Temple doll & 1 From the late 40s early 50s in a bundle Deal with other items l made With Seller to Get the best price Been trying for years to get the shirleyvtemple For My Ma Ma( Mommas Mim) for a present But Kept looking it After She Passed along with Dolls From When My Momma was a little Girl I am Debating on Repairing the Dolls Butnot sure yet I have Always Loved Art Drawing Painting, Clay, Sculpting, Crafting & Making & Repairing things And Good At it but still Look up New Ways to Fix new & Old Items/Things Your Video Is Very Helpful
hun, you are amazing,im just starting to repair compo dolls, i did a lot of things similar to you before, is cool to see your process and also is nice that i got my doubts solved is a hard work thanks for sharing your knowledge
Thank you for sharing your skills..u have a composition doll I bought from a thrift store and I truly want to restore her..she is missing one of her legs..I really want to keep the leg she has..so I'm going to ask a friend if he can make one for me...thanks...and you do great work..🧡💜⭐🌠
Thank you. Your Dool will be great. Not sure what kind of leg you need? I happen to have two... you could message me on Facebook or my website or email... I will gladly help you out if it’s the correct leg
Lindo seu trabalho !! Eu moro no Brasil e não temos o mesmo material que vcs usam , mais tento adptar os materiais vendidos aqui ! Muito obrigada por compartilhar
Thank you for this video. I have a doll very similar who is in need of a makeover. I haven’t tried this yet but it’s my summer project. What kind of paints did you use? When you say house paint did you actually buy exterior house paint ? You also mentioned enamel. Is that the base that you used to spray her? You did such a good job. I need all the help I can get so any suggestions are appreciated. Thank you
I think I would have gessoed first, that's what I do when painting on oils or acrylic when using any painting surface. Then that gives the smooth surface, after sanding.
This is an older video Melanie. I saved it and followed your instructions on a 1934 Petite doll. I found the old paint removal easier by removing the head. Have you ever don’t this?
My mother passed two years ago, and I have her comoo doll, Polly. She is not in good shape and I want to restore her. I have learned a lot from this video. Is there a way to sculpt new fingers or toes so I don't have to replace entire limbs? Does one need an airbrush? What are dolls like this stuffed with? Thank you for posting this video
My dolls have toes and fingers missing. I'm a 75yr old woman and these were my dolls since I was a baby, 8 suspect they may even have been my mothers as a child. I'd love to restore them and maybe my family could have them in the future, I have no idea where to get supplies as I'm in the UK or even if I'm capable of doing the restoration. Today when I brought them out of the cupboard and opened the box there was a terrible smell from them. They are composite dolls like the one in this video.
I recently got an Effenbee composition doll. Her paint seems to be in good shape my problem is she has a full-composition body and is splitting at her crotch and I'm not sure how to fix it
I just bought an old charlie McCarthy ventriloquist doll from the 30's. Should he be restored or is it best to leave him the way he is. He looks almost identical to yours with be paint cracked and missing along the middle of his head.
Jesse_J if you love him and plan to keep his value I would not touch him. Make sure he stays away from moisture so the composition does not expand and cause more cracks
Hi I know this video was for restoration but by any chance do you know any tips on how to keep the flakes from falling if I want to keep some of the cracks or original paint? :)
This is the same composition doll my grandma got as her first baby doll in 1939! Its chipped and has a an arm falling off. I want to restore one day. She got it to commemorate her quitting biting her nails. I have been biting my nails for 20 years and this last year I stopped. For xmas i asked my papa if i could have grandma's doll to commemorate my quitting biting my nails. Wonderful to know more history about this cutie doll. Even with her chipped face, I love mine. But it freaks everyone else out who sees it! 😅
Most people seem to find them scary. I love the way they look cracking. Congratulations on your nail biting end!
Best tutorial I have ever seen on restoring and old doll like this. I have one waiting to be restored. I haven't had the time or nerve to restore her yet and this video sure has helped me get ready. Thank you.
Thank you for your tutorial. I got the courage to buy a tlc Shirley Temple with your video help.
Thank you, Melanie! It’s very valuable that you share “failure” moments and ways to fix it- really important for amateurs like myself! Great tutorial that shows how the patience will result in excellent quality restoration:)))
All right! Excellent first try with oils, Melanie! To answer the gesso question, it's thirds. One third plaster of paris, one third oil paint, and one third glue. I see that you bought my recommendations. Now you have everything as far as paint is concerned, and it will last many years. As you've found out, a quart of oil paint will last FOREVER! Oils go on smoothly and give that lovely finish that acrylics simply can't achieve.
Here's the fine points you need to know. Steel wool and a toothpick can make excellent sanding material for tricky curves and crevasses. Just wrap a bit of the steel wool around the toothpick and go at it. Yes, sanding is a pain, but the results are so worth it because the definition of the mold shows up with proper care. BTW? Take the head off BEFORE you chip. It saves time in the end and you can get the base of the head done in one fell swoop. Frequently, the doll manufacturer name is printed on the neck rim of these dolls where you don't see it, so it pays to do ALL the chipping. I would suggest that you get some linseed oil to wipe on the doll between sanding and painting. That wood is elderly and needs some nourishment. Why linseed? It's plant based and is the basis for oil paints! Doing this step will make the paint go on even smoother and will make the paint 'stick' better. It might even close those pores up a bit. LOL! At least that's my theory...and I'm sticking to it.
Nice airbrushing! You can get in a bit closer on your overall brushing of the skin tone. It won't drip as most people think, it might pool a bit, but if you keep the gun moving, it shouldn't be a problem. Tip on overall painting...move right to left in a straight line for even color distribution with your base coat. For the hair, start in the crown (as you did) and concentrate the color there, then move in a circle around that crown. Surprise! You just taught me something! When you are in the edges with the curls, wipe the paint off the highlights! I hadn't thought of that, but it's exactly how the manufacturers did it to simulate that fine baby hair.
I'm impressed hon, keep at it! Now, work on your eyelash painting, you need a bit of practice. AND! Think of adding a tiny bit of blue blushing to the edge of the eyelid. You'll see that on the finer dolls. Effanbee, Alexander, and Arranbee all used that trick to make the babies dainty!
Dodi's Dolls thank you Dodi! Your knowledge and expertise helped me so very much! I will keep practicing and with you to help... it can only get better 🤗🤗🤗
Great tips! 😊
this video helped me fix my grandma's old doll. Thank you a lot for the tutorial! she looks much better now with her new paint job and my grandma is very impressed ^^
Subscribe I’m Desperate awe. That makes me so happy!!!
He turned out amazing. It was fascinating to watch the process and see you restore this beautiful composition doll back to life. Excellent work!
Thanks Shauna
A+! Many thanks for your job! GREAT!
I think you did a great job doing this makeover for this composition doll. I love the fact that you owned up to your mistakes and realise that your still learning and not beat yourself up about it. You did the best you could and she looks phenomenal. I even learned a thing or two from you.
Thank you so much for the upload. It was really a pleasure to see the restoration process. Oh and the music is so super chill. I love it. I was moving my head along with the tune while you were in your creative process. Don't mind that it's the musician in me.
Again thank you so much. I can't wait until I see more future videos concerning antique dolls. Bye now and God bless you 🤗💝💕💕.
Thank you! Yes I am definitely still learning and trying to have patience. The sanding part is the hardest for me.
Thank you for watching and I am happy you found it easy to watch
🤗 Melanie
Wonderful job! She doesn't have the fake look some repairs have. Your color is spot on.
Wow, you not only are talented but extremely patient as well. What a cool thing to learn. Thank you!
This is cool!!! Came out so good!!! Makes me realize that I need to use my airbrush more!
Good job! I’m doing a small metal head. Many, many fill ins with Apoxie Sculpt, and sandings. I did 3 coats of auto primer, after first 2 more sanding. I put at least 8 coats of oil flesh with a brush. I got an air brush for the hair when I get the nerve. 😂
Wow! I love watching doll restorations and customs, but watching older dolls getting the second chance after all those years takes the cake! I absolutely adore baby dolls and they seem much happier :).
In my experience, shading and blushing the cheeks and head would be easiest with chalk pastels. Just scrape some dust off the chalk and dust some on with a dry paintbrush. You can erase with a kneaded eraser.
I also think starting with a coat of Gesso would help with prepping for painting and filling in all those holes left over from sanding. When you were mixing colors, I think adding a little of a contrasting color like green or blue would’ve made the skin color a bit dull like realistic skin.
Overall, I think that little baby look fantastic! Great Job! 😁
Amazing! Thank you! This is wonderful and I really appreciate how you slowly kept the camera on each stage. This doll looks amazing! Very impressive!
Thank you 🤗
I've just started getting into restoring dolls. This video is amazing and helpful. :) thanks so much!!! I appreciate it!!!
Your welcome. Glad it helps🤗
That's beautiful! I've restored many modern dolls I would love to try my hand at one of these beautiful ones.
You did a great job of air brushing and I like the color of his hair!
Thank you Joan
Thank you so much, great video, learned a lot!
thank you. very helpful. i used wood epoxy putty to fill and seal before sanding. stableizes the composition
Mani d'oro !!!!!! La bambola mi piace tantissimo !!!!!!!!❤❤❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🥰🥰😍🥰❤️❤️🥰🥰👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Cool
Awesomw Job Repairing that doll
I was looking Up Videos on How to Repair Composition Dolls & Yours was the 1st one listed
I Bought 2 Composition Dolls 2 Years Ago A Shirley Temple doll & 1 From the late 40s early 50s in a bundle Deal with other items l made With Seller to Get the best price
Been trying for years to get the shirleyvtemple For My Ma Ma( Mommas Mim) for a present But Kept looking it After She Passed along with Dolls From When My Momma was a little Girl
I am Debating on Repairing the Dolls Butnot sure yet
I have Always Loved Art Drawing Painting, Clay, Sculpting, Crafting & Making & Repairing things
And Good At it but still Look up New Ways to Fix new & Old Items/Things
Your Video Is Very Helpful
The baby turned out wonderful.
Looks like you sprayed a Matt sealer after you painted
I don't know Melanie, but you Look like an expert to Me! Great job. You have alt of patience. Suzi
Susan Richer thank you. Yes it’s a bit exhausting lol. But so fun at the end 🤗🤗
hun, you are amazing,im just starting to repair compo dolls, i did a lot of things similar to you before, is cool to see your process and also is nice that i got my doubts solved is a hard work thanks for sharing your knowledge
Your welcome. Thank you for watching. It’s so much work.. ans so much more to learn
Outstanding, Melanie!!!!!👍💟
Great job, she looks beautiful!! 😊
Loved it. You did this beautifully well. Thank you so much!
Wow, that really turned out!
Good job, like new.
Thank you for sharing your skills..u have a composition doll I bought from a thrift store and I truly want to restore her..she is missing one of her legs..I really want to keep the leg she has..so I'm going to ask a friend if he can make one for me...thanks...and you do great work..🧡💜⭐🌠
Thank you. Your Dool will be great. Not sure what kind of leg you need?
I happen to have two... you could message me on Facebook or my website or email... I will gladly help you out if it’s the correct leg
Great job Melanie!! 💋👏
OMG she is adorable!🥰
She is beautiful
You did great
Wonderful ! I HOPE you finish her and dress her too!
I found one at goodwill. I love her
I think you did a great job!!!
Lindo seu trabalho !! Eu moro no Brasil e não temos o mesmo material que vcs usam , mais tento adptar os materiais vendidos aqui ! Muito obrigada por compartilhar
That was good for a beginner. I was thinking with quick-dry it would have dried overnight.
Thank you for this video. I have a doll very similar who is in need of a makeover. I haven’t tried this yet but it’s my summer project. What kind of paints did you use? When you say house paint did you actually buy exterior house paint ? You also mentioned enamel. Is that the base that you used to spray her? You did such a good job. I need all the help I can get so any suggestions are appreciated. Thank you
Beautiful job
I think I would have gessoed first, that's what I do when painting on oils or acrylic when using any painting surface. Then that gives the smooth surface, after sanding.
Thanks
You did a awesome job. I love these old baby dolls.
could watch this for hours!
Thank you!
This is an older video Melanie.
I saved it and followed your instructions on a 1934 Petite doll.
I found the old paint removal easier by removing the head. Have you ever don’t this?
Definitely
My mother passed two years ago, and I have her comoo doll, Polly. She is not in good shape and I want to restore her. I have learned a lot from this video. Is there a way to sculpt new fingers or toes so I don't have to replace entire limbs? Does one need an airbrush? What are dolls like this stuffed with? Thank you for posting this video
I would ask Dotties dolls. She knows so much more then me.
This video is so helpful !!
I am happy to hear that
thankyou so much i have a doll i have to do now i can do it thankyou again
Great job! Looks just awesome!
Thank you 😊
Might I suggest a few moderately heavy coats of a sandable primer?
My dolls have toes and fingers missing. I'm a 75yr old woman and these were my dolls since I was a baby, 8 suspect they may even have been my mothers as a child. I'd love to restore them and maybe my family could have them in the future, I have no idea where to get supplies as I'm in the UK or even if I'm capable of doing the restoration. Today when I brought them out of the cupboard and opened the box there was a terrible smell from them. They are composite dolls like the one in this video.
Top!👏
Hi, amazing restoration. Is there specific glue one should use to glue a dolls foot back?
Awww great job xxxxxx
What did you use to seal the paint? You put a little sheen down, too, and that’s quite nice.
Great job
I recently got an Effenbee composition doll. Her paint seems to be in good shape my problem is she has a full-composition body and is splitting at her crotch and I'm not sure how to fix it
wow!
Great job! Have you ever worked on a Dydee Baby? I need to resting one and it is unlike other dolls!
Sheryl Culver I have not. I have one but I have only restored composition. Check out Dodi Dolls.... message her. She’s very knowledgeable
I just bought an old charlie McCarthy ventriloquist doll from the 30's. Should he be restored or is it best to leave him the way he is. He looks almost identical to yours with be paint cracked and missing along the middle of his head.
Jesse_J if you love him and plan to keep his value I would not touch him. Make sure he stays away from moisture so the composition does not expand and cause more cracks
@@VintageMakeoverswithMelanie thank you. I like him the way he looks kind of scary. You did such a great job with this doll. Great work.
I have a very similar doll with a cracked face. The doll was purchased in 1936.
I know I’m late but how much would you’ve charge as an estimate for a composition doll restoration
I have the same doll , I had my doll restored.
Like the flesh color.
Would soaking the head in water be a good idea to help with removing the old paint l, or using rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover?
No water! It’s wood under the paint
@@VintageMakeoverswithMelanie OK THANK YOU!
Is it okay to keep one that is chipping the way it is ? I kind of like the look one some of mine. But I'm going to try to restore one :p
Yes definitely! I have many that are chipped. I love them just the way they are
Looked good in the end tho
Lead paint?
Thank you
Your welcome 😊
Hi I know this video was for restoration but by any chance do you know any tips on how to keep the flakes from falling if I want to keep some of the cracks or original paint? :)
No I don’t. I agree that would be great
Could you perhaps help me ID a doll i am trying to restore and tell me if i have done it correctly please
I believe there are many ways to do it. All I can say is this doll is holding up great after a few years.
Great job thanks for sharing now can you please tell me what music is playing in the back ground please ?
I get all my music from epidemic sound. I don’t remember the track name
No worries thanks either way
Can you use wood puddy?
I don’t know.
È possibile avere le traduzioni in italiano?
do these dolls contain lead based paint?
Yes some do
How can I get the eyes out of ado LL like that’s head they have fallen back into the head
So you have the head off the doll?
Can I use a Stiff Scraper with 1-1/2" Carbon Steel Blade ?? I don't like using a razor blade like that - might cut myself
Use whatever feels the best for you. You need to get under the paint and try to not gouge the composition.
@@VintageMakeoverswithMelanie thank you 👍👍
What about primer
I didn’t... but you definitely can
If I send my old composition doll for you to restore how much do you charge?
It depends on the extent of damage the doll has
The last doll doctor told she may need a full restoration she's a composition doll like this one. And the quote was way too high.
Sent you an email
I thought he would turn out like those creepy dolls but he’s cute!
How much do you charge to fix these kinds of dolls??
It depends on how badly it’s damaged.
You can message me windmillvintagedesigns@gmail.com if you want to look more into it
It is not badly damaged but needs attention.
Gosh is soooo violent!!!!!
Wow, what a face lift !!!!
I think you used paint that was too thick
Cool. Thanks
please don't use the music. i want to hear what your doing.