So I hope the title caught your attention.
I have an ofelia by Olga Auer (she’s my drea kit). I was devastated to notice that her matting was getting crackly and white in all her creases. Even just displaying her it was getting worse and worse.
I first tried going over the area with matte varnish to seal it but it continued to get worse.
Then I decided to strip her. But the problem is, the paint and remaining varnish WILL NOT come off. I tried thinner, then brush cleaner, then alcohol, then the dreaded acetone. It was the strongest thing I could think of and still the crackly white varnish and paint won’t come off. I even tried soaking it and scrubbing
I guess my question is, is there anything stronger I can try to strip with? Or do I have to throw my SOLE dream kit away.
I literally cry every time I look at her because I know I’ll never get another of this kit. Even if I find one, I’ll never have the funds.
Here is a picture of my baby before she started falling apart before my eyes.
I will post updated pictures of her tomorrow
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Whatever you do, don’t throw her away. I re-did a doll for a little girl that was a beast to strip. I swear whoever made it used boat varnish to seal it. It took some work, but I got it off. If you can’t get it off, send the parts to me and I’ll try. What kind of varnish did you use? Have you tried heating the creases with a blow dryer before stripping them? I don’t know if it would make a difference, but it might.
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What is she painted with?
I rub mine down with acetone first to loosen the varnish and then I pour W&N brush clean on the pieces in a large bowl. I let them soak in it for a few minutes and then I use a tooth brush and cotton pads to remove the paint. Air dry (acrylic) is far more difficult to remove than Genesis but this method has been working for me. Sometimes you need to add more brush cleaner as you go or dip your toothbrush in what is in the bottom of the bowl…its a very messy affair but it works better than just using plain acetone which can leave behind spots and sometimes change the colour of the kit.
Also you could try the MacPhersons paint remover? Maybe that might work.
I have no idea what she’s painted with. I don’t even know her artist. I got her from a collector that’s no longer around
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Have you tried Windsor and Newton? It works really well. I put some on with a paper towel, let it sit for a few minutes and wipe it off. For creases I use a toothbrush or toothpick. It’s oily, though, so you have to wash well with Dawn when you’re done.
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I have a kit like that. The vinyl is soft, head is hard. I have tried everything but can’t not strip the limbs.
Be careful with acetone, the wrist of the kit as cracked. And the paint is still there… it’s air dry (for those who think air dry is not durable😣)
Take your time, working a small area at a time, use different products.
I hope you will be able to save it !
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Ugh I’m so sorry to hear you are having trouble with her! I wonder if the artist used genesis thinning medium? I used it and tried to strip it and it did not want to budge! I finally got some off by allowing the kit to soak in Windsor and Newton brush cleaner for a while. I also used a toothbrush to scrub it off the best I could.
I’m soaking her in the W&N now. Hoping it’ll work
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Have you tried bleach? It wasn’t intentional but one night my hubby used bleach and a soft Bristol toothbrush to strip a kit for me and it worked great, did take some scrubbing tho!
I’ll give it a try. Willing to do anything at this point
