Graphics & Contents Copywrited owned by The Art Of Reborning All Right Reserved, Unauthorized copy, duplication, or distribution in any way is strictly prohibited. Private tutorial May 2006
Changing The Eyes
The Little Windows Of A Baby's Soul
Eyes are so important in the creation of your Reborn. The inexpensive dolls, like the Berenguers, City Toys, and various other of similar quality will all have very inexpensive eyes and not look very realistic compared to the higher quality eyes you should use when you begin selling your worn.
The expensive dolls all seem to have nice quality eyes for the most part. It won't take long to tell which eyes will need to be changed. Many times the more expensive dolls will have eyes that can be used.
You are always striving for realism, and the eyes are extremely important in creating this illusion. If the doll you are Reborning cost under $100 it will most likely need to have the eyes changed. Many times the customer want a special color and you'll be changing lots of eyes even on the expensive babies. If you have to change out eyes that are of a high quality to begin with, be sure to save them for future use.
If you decide you are going to change the eyes,
this is one of the first things you will have to do.
Once you have the doll taken apart, this would be the best time to change the eyes.
Try not to cut the neck opening if you can avoid it.
If you feel you have to cut it, cut as little as possible.
I always try my best to do it without cutting it, but sometimes it has to be done if the opening is extra small.
You have to determine if the opening is wide enough not to cause damage.
Wide eye babies are best done this way.
Small eye openings are more difficult.
Two Methods Of Replacing the Eyes
Front Method
I prefer this method when it's possible, because there is no cutting involved.
It does come with risks, but you can cut down on them by following these easy directions.
It requires heating the vinyl to soften it up to remove the eyes.
The easiest way is to heat the head up is in VERY HOT water.
Use a large bowl. pan or sink. Fill it with VERY HOT water, submerge the head until the vinyl becomes soft and pliable.
Once it is soft it allows you to pop the eye right out through the front of the head.
Push firmly on the eye socket from the back side. The part inside the head.
If it is really tight you can use a flat head screw driver, but be gently or you will damage the eye socket.
Gently push down on the lower lid section of the eye and lift the eye up and out.
Not all dolls are able to have the eyes removed through the front without damaging the vinyl or cracking the corners of the eye socket.
Some eyes just have to be taken out through the inside of the head.
This just takes a bit of practice, but it works quite well.
Notice the wide open eye socket in the photos.
You must be careful as it is so easy to damage
the vinyl or eye sockets when doing this.
Be gentle, but firm, and you'll soon be an expert.
Once you have removed both of the eyes you will reheat the vinyl again when it's time to put the new eyes in.
Just take your time.
Reheat the vinyl as necessary when removing or replacing eyes.
They will pop right back in using your fingers and a bit of liquid soap on the eye.
Once they are in place, you'll have to re-adjust them into proper alignment.
Make sure no whites show under the eye.
Eye Setting Tools
Various Replacement Eyes
Inside Method A Must For Hand Blown Glass Eyes
& Dolls with small eye openings
Using this method, the eyes will be removed and re-inserted through the inside of the head only.
Begin by cutting a ‘U’ shape in the vinyl plug at the back of each eye socket, or you may have to cut it off completely.
This will depend on the type of eyes you will be re-inserting.
If they have a stem on the back like many high quality eyes & Glass Eyes have, you will have to cut the back of the socket completely off.
Once you have that section cut out, heat the head and you can push on the eyes from the front and it will fall into place.
If it is too difficult you can use an eye tool and insert it through the inside of the head.
Inserting The New Eyes
It's best if you have an eyesetter to get the eyes into place, and make adjustments.
If you use any eyes with a tube on the back, you will need an eye setter or you may break them.
Place the eye on the tool and hold it in whatever way is comfortable for you and hold the head so you can see what you are doing.
Carefully move the eye to the inside of the head and into the socket area.
Move the head so you can put pressure on the eye as it slides into the socket.
Use a gentle but firm pressure on the eye as you push in, it will be a snug fit.
Once they are both in place, you can move the eye around with the eye setter and get them properly aligned.
Make sure you have the pupils lined up straight across from each other.
Makes sure there are no whites showing under the eyes.
Cover all around the outside of the eye area with E6000 glue where it meets the vinyl inside the head, not from the front.
A skewer or an old paintbrush handle, works great as a tool to assist you in applying the glue.
Be careful that no glue gets inside of the eye through the little tube opening on some eyes.
The eye will be ruined if glue gets in there.
Let the glue dry overnight, before you do anything else to the head.
Always buy the highest quality
replacement eyes you can afford.
Hold up your eye gauge or a ruler to see if the eyes are straight. There will be a bit of light reflected into the eyes and that bit of light should be in the same place on both eyes. This will help guide your eyes into the right position.
Cut-a-way-view
so you see the inside of the eye socket where you'll place the eye.
Half Dome Silicone Eyes
Samples of Commonly Used Types Of Eyes
Paper Weight Hand Blown Glass Eyes range in price from $25 to $100 per pair.
