Krista's Doll Restoration
 

Barbie Doll Restoration

Before & After Photos

For Sale!
Vintage
Mod
OOAK

Your Barbie by Year


Your Questions Answered

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Please do not email any photos, links or file attachments.

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Caring for Your Collection

(Photo used with permission from 'Paintings that Fly')

 

Q. How should I display my vintage dolls?
A. It is important that the dolls and clothing remain out of direct sunlight and away from dust as much as possible.
I like to make sure that my dolls' feet are elevated slightly so that no pressure is on them (which can cause the legs to bow). I open the cases and dust my  dolls regularly with a soft brush, and I vacuum the dust from the shelves, etc.
Many people prefer to keep their dolls packed away in acid free tissue paper or specially made Barbie display boxes.  If you have any Fashion Queen or other dolls that wear wigs, it is best not to store or display the wigs on either the heads or the wig stand without a piece of white tissue paper in between them. 
Also, another good idea is to tint your home's windows or have the glass tinted on your display cases.

Q. How should I store vintage clothing?
A. Vintage outfits, when not on the dolls, should be carefully stored for their protection.
I store my outfits in acid-free comic book holders (cardboard backing inserted into the clear plastic envelopes) or wrapped inside acid-free tissue paper. I then keep everything in large plastic, air-tight containers so that no moths or other bugs can get inside.   
Also, be sure to use only all-white (preferably acid-free) tissue paper if you wrap any items, including the dolls.
To prevent shoes from splitting, I never put vintage shoes on the dolls.
I display the shoes next to the dolls' feet or I use reproduction shoes.
This also prevents the dolls from acquiring 'shoe stains' on their feet.

Q.  How can I get the wrinkles out of the vintage doll clothes that have been packed away for years? 
A.  For ALL questions regarding the care of the vintage clothing I recommend consulting a good dry cleaner in your area.  Many of these fine, delicate fabrics are not color-fast and are very fragile. I personally do not feel comfortable cleaning or ironing the majority of the doll clothing in my collection. 
In the past I have steamed the sturdier (single color) cotton items over a steaming tea kettle, however I again recommend consulting a dry cleaner with any clothing questions or concerns.

Q. I am interested in vinyl accessories, especially cases. Any advice as to where I can find out information on what cases were produced, in what colors and what years? Also, what is the best way to clean and maintain the vinyl cases?
A. Connie Kaplan, wrote a book on vintage vinyl's regarding cases/trunks; Collector's Guide to Barbie® Doll Vinyl Cases.
This alone is a great source of info. with lots of photos of cases/trunks.  Regarding cleaning:  I have found that BAM (by Easy-Off), Orange Clean or  Formula 911 cleaner are great for cleaning the vintage vinyl cases.


Q. What is the meaning of TM version that is listed on some vintage outfits? Are they worth less?
A. TM version vintage outfits are worth more if they are Barbie's outfits (not Ken's).
These are the first versions, before they were 'registered' (i.e. marked with an ® instead of a TM).
Q. I found a doll  that I am very interested in, but they said that she was stored in moth balls and has a very strong odor. She is otherwise perfect. Is there anything you can recommend that removes strong odors from the clothing and dolls?
A. You may want to wrap your doll in some un-used dryer sheets (the type one adds to the dryer to remove static clean and make the clothes smell fresh).  I have used these sheets inside and around older Louis Vuitton handbags with great results. The dryer sheets even removed tobacco smell. Another idea (which I have never tried) is to wrap the doll in white tissue (or put her in a clean paper bag) and bury her in clean, new cat litter.  This may also absorb the smell.

 
  • Identification Help -- Common questions I receive about the dolls and how to identify them
  • Hair - General information about cleaning, re-flocking and re-rooting
  • 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
 

The general information I have chosen to include on these pages is here as a courtesy to collectors of Vintage and Mod Barbies® and friends. 

I am unable to answer your 'how-to' restoration emails, nor do I provide further step by step instruction.

This Web site is for your personal and non-commercial use only. You may copy information on this Web site for your own personal use, however other than copying for personal use, you may not copy, modify, distribute, transmit, display, perform, reproduce, publish, license, create derivative works from, transfer, or sell any information obtained from this Web site.

Every reasonable effort has been taken by me to ensure the accuracy of the information contained within this entire web site. However, I take no responsibility for any losses, injury or detriment whatsoever, real or implied, arising from the information and/or references contained within this entire site.

Before continuing any further, please carefully read my disclaimer page.

Please note that I have limited (or no) experience with non-Mattel fashion dolls, modern Mattel fashion dolls (anything newer than 1970 and/ or not made in Japan), or any other types of dolls.

**I do not identify dolls via email, nor can I verify authenticity, unless I see the doll in person.  I do offer this as a paid service.  Please email me if you would like to send your doll or collection for a written appraisal.  An appraisal fee + return shipping costs will apply.**

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please email me (Krista) anytime at RestorBabs@aol.com
I generally respond M - F.  My email address is not able to receive any photos, links or file attachments. 
If you have a 'spam filter,' please add my email address to your safe list before you email me.


copyright dollrestoration
2010

The information, photographs and writing contained in this website are the property of the owner of this website. I retain sole and exclusive rights without limitation which may not be granted to another without my written permission and consent.

NO pictures, writings, text or information may be taken from any page on this website and reproduced for any reason, WHICH INCLUDES AUCTION LISTINGS, without my written permission and consent. 

I am sure you can appreciate the huge amount of work and research that has gone into this website. If I become aware that my photos, text, or  information are visible elsewhere, appropriate action will be taken. 
Thank you for respecting my copyright!

A Special Thanks to the wonderful artist, Dennis Beltran who kindly drew the cartoons you see on my site.
Photographs on this site have been used with the owners' permission.
Barbie,  Ken,  Midge,  Skipper,  Francie,  Casey, Allan,  Stacey,  PJ,  etc.  are registered trade marks of Mattel, Inc.
Barbie collecting and repair are my beloved hobbies, and I am in no way affiliated with Mattel, Inc.

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The general information I have chosen to include on these pages is here as a courtesy to collectors of Vintage and Mod Barbies® and friends. 

**I do not identify dolls via email, nor can I verify authenticity, unless I see the doll in person.  I offer this as a paid service. 
Please email me if you would like to send your doll or collection for a written appraisal or identification.  A fee + return shipping costs will apply.**

I am unable to answer your 'how-to' restoration emails, nor do I provide further step by step instruction.

This Web site is for your personal and non-commercial use only. You may copy information on this Web site for your own personal use, however other than copying for personal use, you may not copy, modify, distribute, transmit, display, perform, reproduce, publish, license, create derivative works from, transfer, or sell any information obtained from this Web site.

Every reasonable effort has been taken by me to ensure the accuracy of the information contained within this entire web site. However, I take no responsibility for any losses, injury or detriment whatsoever, real or implied, arising from the information and/or references contained within this entire site.

Before continuing any further, please carefully read my disclaimer page.

Please note that I have limited (or no) experience with modern Mattel fashion dolls (anything newer than 1970),  or any other types of dolls.