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I have an old doll from the 1950's or earlier...

and she has plastic arms and legs, a cloth body and some kind of other material for the face. Anyway, the plastic is sticky. How can I get it to not be sticky? Or is it sticky because it is breaking down? I've tried wiping her with soap and water and wipes and it helped a little, but she is still sticky. I don't know why. Any ideas?

Kristin Bell asked in Whatever 5 months ago | Report

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  • Qlandav2ex_small
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    Russ Campbell, NWEBS

    The stickiness comes from the migration of plasticizer and breakdown of the surface of the material she is made from. UV light is very detrimental to the stability of these older plastics so be sure to protect her from sunlight or artificial light sources that have a UV component during long term storage.

    You can clean and wipe the surface like you have attempted with some improvement but realize that you are removing the plasticizers that have become free at the surface and the process will continue. Various methods of cleaning, stabilizing, or sealing these plastics are being used by doll aficionados and a good search on the interwebs show the use of plastic cleaners, coating the area with vaseline and exposing to sunlight over a day or more (and then wiping and cleaning excess off), and another method of just simply dusting the plastic parts with talc powder (a mineral product) to reduce the sticky feel to the surface.

    Sometimes it is not the stickiness that is the worse effect of this degradation. These aging plastics can also develop a pretty offensive smell in the process also. You are battling the natural breakdown and aging of these vulnerable soft plastics so try different methods and see what works best in your situation.

    Unfortunately you probably have to move to 'preservation mode' and away from 'readily available for play mode'. Find a way to keep her available for a hug and a trip down memory lane, but otherwise protected for longevity.

    Russ Campbell, NWEBS answered in Whatever 5 months ago | Report
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  • Ava_small
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    You might try contacting a doll hospital ( yes they exist) and see if there is anything specific you should use. They will know the brand of the doll and probably the composition of the plastic since they have to restore that kind of stuff all day. There aren't any within the city limits but a bunch come up on the internet that you could call or email. They will probably also be able to talk to you of archival ways of storing her to keep it from getting worse.

    sublevelthree answered in Whatever 5 months ago | Report
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