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How to Restore a Shirley Temple Doll

The original Shirley Temple doll was made by the Ideal Toy Company. The company introduced the Shirley Temple doll in 1934 and formed the body out of composition. This type of material is made from glue and sawdust pressed into a mold to shape the doll. Composition dolls have a tendency to crack, and the paint begins to fade over time. However, this type of Shirley Temple doll is highly coveted by doll collectors. Expert doll restorers should do any restoration because you can do more harm than good if you try to repair the doll yourself. However, there are measures you can take to improve the condition and looks of your Shirley Temple doll.

Things You'll Need

  • Soft rag or towel
  • Vacuum cleaner
  • Rubber band
  • Panty hose
  • Plastic paint scraper
  • Water putty powder
  • Two bowls
  • Stir stick
  • Sandpaper
  • Flesh tone acrylic paint
  • 4-by-4-inch rags
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Instructions

    • 1

      Lay out the soft rag on a table. Remove all the clothes from your Shirley Temple doll. Lay the doll body on the soft rag.

    • 2

      Attach the vacuum hose to the vacuum cleaner. Slide the panty hose over the end of the vacuum hose and secure the material in place with a rubber band. Vacuum the wig of the Shirley Temple doll thoroughly. Run the vacuum over the entire body, paying particular attention to the face and joints.

    • 3

      Scrape any loose paint away from the damaged area of the doll. Use your finger nail to remove the paint from around the cracks. Do not attempt to repair any cracks in the composition material if the crack is larger than the thickness of a dime.

    • 4

      Pour the water putty powder into a bowl and mix in water. Keep stirring the powder and adding water until the putty turns into a dough-like substance.

    • 5

      Press the putty into any of the small cracks or any part of the composition doll that has begun to flake. Fill the crack completely with putty and mold it smooth with your finger. Allow the putty to dry for one hour or until it is solid. Sand down the rough surface of the putty with light grit sandpaper.

    • 6

      Pour some of the acrylic paint into the second bowl. Dip a 4-by-4-inch rag into the acrylic paint. Rub the paint-dipped rag over the body of the composition doll. Push paint into any grooves or curved surfaces of the doll, starting at the torso. Avoid the face and the eyes of the Shirley Temple doll. Do not allow any paint to puddle on the surface of the doll. Change dipped rags periodically to ensure the paint is being put on the doll with a clean rag. Let the paint dry and buff the composition doll with a soft rag.


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