Hair

Q. I have a platinum swirl who's hair has faded to a dull pale blonde. Part of her ponytail is white, so I know this was her original color. Do you have any ideas to revive her hair back to
it's original color?
A. Unfortunately there is currently no proven, safe method that I know of for restoring the oxidized hair.

Q. My doll has green on her ears and also in her hair. Is the green staining removable from the hair as well?
A. Removing the green oxidation from the hair should be relatively easy (compared to removing it from the vinyl).
If the hair is in the original style and you don't wish to un-do it, you may use some rubbing alcohol on a q-tip and buff the green-stained area.
I sometimes use acetone on a q-tip for stubborn green (but be very careful not to get the acetone anywhere near the face paint or near any painted legs if your doll has these).
If you are going to be washing the hair, the green should wash out with simple dish washing liquid/cream rinse. I rub the area with my fingernail and it washes out wonderfully under the running water.

Q. How do I re-flock a vintage Ken doll that has a lot of bald spots?
A. You can simply put the new flocking over the original flocking. I use a white glue (Elmer's Glue works fine). And if you are not satisfied with your first attempt, it is really easy to peel the dried glue/flocking off the head and start over.
If you would like to order some flocking material so you can re-flock your Ken at home, email me and I will help you determine what colors you will need. Please see this page on my site for more information: Restoration Products for Sale.
**One word of caution; Lately someone emailed and said she had been advised to put permanent marker on Ken's bald head first, under the flocking. It looked terrible and she wondered how she could remove this. Please do not do anything permanent such as this to a doll! It is not necessary and the felt pen can migrate to the surrounding vinyl and create a huge mess.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR RE-FLOCKING YOUR KEN: Brunette Ken will use the 'black' flocking. Blonde Kens will need a custom mix of three colors (I have this available, pre-packaged for your convenience). First brush off any dirt or lint from Ken's flocked head. I also like to clean his face (Use something gentle like Orange Clean or Twin Pines Formula 911. Avoid getting any cleaning product on retouched face paint and use a q-tip very gently over original face paint). Make sure Ken is dry and clean! Next, pour some white glue (such as Elmer's) on his head and spread it around the head with your fingertip, covering the area you want to flock. Just a light coat is necessary. Then you pour a bit of the flocking product onto a piece of wax paper. Holding Ken over the wax paper (to catch the excess flocking as it falls) you sprinkle and pat the flocking directly onto Ken's head until you achieve the desired effect and the entire head is covered. You can take a small, dry paint brush and clear away any excess flocking remaining on Ken's face. Let Ken's head dry for 24 hours. You may need to repeat the process here or there if you note any bald spots on his head after the glue has dried.

Q. Where would I find hair to match my vintage dolls so I can re-root some missing plugs?
A. Finding hair to match the original is very difficult! You can either use hair from a donor head or, if you do not mind using new hair, I purchase saran hair from RestoreDoll.com. Not only does Kathy have a good choice of hair colors, she is great to work with, too! Check out RestoreDoll's other restoration products, information and storage ideas as well.

Q. How do I re-root a Ponytail?
A. First remove the hair by going inside the neck opening and plucking it all out with a small crochet hook.
**PLEASE NOTE: REMOVE ALL OF THE ORIGINAL HAIR BEFORE DOING THE RE-ROOT! Please check this page on my site to see what I am referring to!
2. I use a long doll-making needle or darning needle.
3. Take the 'hair' that you have chosen and thread the needle with the correct amount for a single plug
**For proper styling afterwards, do not use too much hair per plug!
Leave about an inch-long tail
**Do not add extra random plug holes without a good reason! This is damage that cannot be un-done.
**And NEVER glue any split that may be along the hairline.
4. Working from the outside of the head, poke the needle through the plug hole and grab it from the neck opening.
5. Pull just enough of the hair strands out so that you can remove the needle and knot the hair at the end (just a regular knot). Cut any extra hair that remains below the knot.
6. Gently tug on the hair that is sticking out from the outside of the head so that the knotted end goes up to the inside of the scalp.
7. Repeat the process a million (or so it seems) times .
8. Style the hair and then cut it to the proper length (Please note, I regret that I may not be able to assist in styling hair that has been re-rooted by another re-rooter).

Q. How can I change the color on a golden yellow Color Magic doll to the scarlet flame hair color?
A. The color changes when there is a change in the PH of the hair. No harsh chemicals are necessary. Dissolve some baking soda (about a heaping spoonful) in a cup of warm water and then dunk the doll's hair in it. The scarlet color should stay for about a year before it slowly start to change back to yellow. To change the scarlet hair back to the golden yellow, white vinegar in water is used.

Q. How do I remove a Fashion Queen wig from its wig stand or from the doll's head? It is stuck and I don't want to ruin it.
A. The two plastics have fused together over time. The best thing to do is (using a blow dryer) heat the area that has fused and gently pry the two pieces apart.

A. As long as you don't see any empty holes where the hair should be, it is just how the doll was made. It would not even be considered a 'flaw.'
All the dolls were once rooted by someone running a big sewing machine.
Therefore I see all sorts of wonderful variations in the rooting patterns. All of them are unique.
Today the dolls are rooted completely by machine, run by a computer program, so there are no differences any more.
Also, the vintage dolls get all sorts of little dots and pin pricks (which were most likely caused by bubbles in the mold, not actual pins).
Please remember that these are 50 year old toys and not fine collectibles.
As you said, there are no empty holes so, in my opinion, it would ruin the doll to add in more hair.

Q. Hi ~ your website is so helpful thank you! I have a 1963 Bubble Cut Barbie with HUGE hair and she is in beautiful condition...I know I got her in early 1963. I took out her earrings once I noticed the tinge of GREEN yuk! However, trying to put something there another teeny hole was made right next to the original holes. Can these extra holes be erased?
A. I am glad to hear you removed the earrings. You may want to clean the doll's ears with rubbing alcohol on a q-tip to remove any oxidation residue (inside her head, too, if you are comfortable removing it).
Regarding your question; No, I don't do anything to try to erase or remove extra pin pricks or earring holes.
Tampering with the vinyl in a way that is permanent may cause more harm than good, and may end up drawing more attention to such a little 'flaw.'
It is best just to leave it alone, and just clean her and enjoy her!

Q. What do I use to wash the vintage and Mod Barbie dolls' hair so it is soft and shiny?
A. I simply use regular liquid dish soap. Then I just use some regular cream rinse and comb the hair before rinsing it all (and letting it air dry).

Barbie (and Friends) by Year -- Information and photos that will assist you in identifying your Vintage/Mod Barbies and friends

Identification Help -- Common questions I receive about the dolls and how to identify them

How to care for and display your valuable collection

Bodies - General information about cleaning and repairing

Faces - General information about caring for the faces, green ear treatment, neck split repair, and re-coloring Mod dolls

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Q. What do I use to wash the vintage and Mod Barbie dolls' hair so it is soft and shiny? A. I simply use regular liquid dish soap. Then I just use some regular cream rinse and comb the hair before rinsing it all (and letting it air dry).