The Best Online Reborn Help Forum!

Noantum · Senior Member

Propaganda or fact?

ronelhamaty · Senior Member

Hi Emily

I've never used air dry paints but only uses genesis heat set paint. I am quite happy with them and do not need to change or seek an alternative. I think it is a matter of what works best for you. I've been making dolls for awhile now and never had one complaint of paint rubbing off or paint bleeding thru the vinyl.
Good luck with yor choice

Hugs

-- Edited by ronelhamaty on Wednesday 29th of July 2009 09:17:58 PM

Dee · Guru

Hi Emily, I use air dry paints I am very satisfied with them I just started on my 7th one, I have not tried the heat set paints, afraid I will melt it I can't afford to take that chance, I get my paints from b-n-b. smile

Noantum · Senior Member

Hi Ronel your little girl is beautiful! She is the type of realism I hope I can achieve no matter which I choose. How are you with the odorless thinner? Any problems with fumes?
Dee your baby is adorable! Was she painted with air dry paints? Do you have any more pictures of babies that were air dry painted? I would love to see them. I'm wondering if I can achieve the realism I see done with heat set paints.
Thank you both ladies, have a good night.

-- Edited by Noantum on Wednesday 29th of July 2009 11:32:03 PM

ronelhamaty · Senior Member

Thanks Emily, I have no problem, the thinner is odourless. You will be able to achieve the same results! The GHSP will speed up the painting process, you don't have to wait to put on the second layer of paint.

With the air dry paint you don't need an oven and would be saver around children. But I have heard that the air dry paint flake with time. (Just that I heard, its not my opinion, I've never used it before). There is no difference at the end, both paints creates the most beautiful babies.

Tina W. · Guru

I have used both with no problem. I perfer GHS though, it's a bit more forgiving then the air dry paints even with the retarder you use for the air dry. If you need to correct something with the air dry it's much harder.

Noantum · Senior Member

Thanks ladies. I guess I have some thinking to do. I would like to get done with my baby in a timely matter. I also wouldn't like for my paint to chip later on. I was told by someone else that air dry paints do that and also fade and discolor. Hummmm.......I guess it all boils down to whether or not I want to bake the vinyl in my oven. I only have one so it will be the same I cook my family's meals in. Hummmm.....

Buffington · Guru

I can tell you from over 6 years experience reborning that I really like the GHSP. I like that it never dries until you bake it. I like that I can take my time with my babies (some have taken me 3 mos or more). I also like the fact that they do not flake and do not fade over time. I have babies that I have made that are in the sun in my room and have been for over 1 year as that is where their Moses basket is. They have never faded, discolored, flaked, or had any other issues. I also use the Real Eyes brand doll eyes from Secrist. They are also in those dolls and have had no issues.

I agree, it is a matter of personal taste as to which ones people choose (except for the occassional person who cannot bring themselves to use the heat set paints for whatever reason, no problems). I have used other methods of creating/coloring my babies and have chosen to stay with the GHSP as I do like them better.

I have some air-dry paints from DD but have not tried them yet as I don't like that even with retarder, they must be used faster than I care for.

As far as your comment about Secrist "Secrist's only interest is to sell their products (heat set paints and brushes)" that also has to be said about ANY other person or company that sells things, I mean to be fair to everyone! That is why people are in business in the first place isn't it? But you also have to look at the fact that Secrist does say that they test their products, and also, I don't know of ANY other company that says right on their website for everyone to see, that their kits made in the USA are non-toxic!

I'm not taking sides, I'm just telling facts (since your topic is "propaganda or fact?". But test the stuff for yourself, see which paints you like best.
PS... I also have it right from Genesis that their paints are non-toxic and safe.
The only other kits I would trust are the ones made in Germany. They have very high standards. All other kits I do are baked outside in a countertop oven. Personal preference.

Hope this helps :)

Noantum · Senior Member

Thank you ladies for participating in my short survey! I am pleased with the honesty that has been expressed and really appreciate the facts. I know all companies are looking for thier best interest and the final decision would be my own preference. However, I like facts in making that decision and you all helped me with that. Much of the information you all share with me would have taken me quite awhile to find out on my own.

Patricia I didn't mean to come off as accusational. I was only voicing what I've been told in other forums. Since you ladies here are more familiar with the products I wanted to ask.
I am happy to say that I have purchased my kit and a few other things today. Tomorrow I plan to buy my paints (Authentic Reborn brand), and a couple of other things I need (training DVD, test limbs, texture tools). I chose the Authentic Reborn because I get the heat set benefit of Genesis but the transparency bonus so I don't have to use a thinner.

I thank you all again. I am happy I'm on my way to starting soon.
Happy Monday Everyone! smile

Buffington · Guru

OMG! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to sound grouchy or anything (especially defensive), I was just going along the lines of fact not fiction lol.
I wasn't defending anyone and sometimes I do get a little wordy when I should just not, so I hope you weren't offended. I was trying to state things a little too business oriented I guess. Again, sorry if I offended or put anyone off, didn't mean to. :)
That's also why I said I wasn't taking sides.

I have also tried the Jo Sonja paints and found them to be good, but again, they dry too fast for me. I have also used artist pastel chalks but found that you do not get any real detail with those (but have had my original doll for 5-6 years with no fading and she still looks like the day I finished her). I know that sounds really weird to use chalks on the dolls but I worked with ceramics for many years, I just thought I'd give it a go. This was also when I was using Rit dye to do the internal wash :o

I think you will like the AR paints even if you were leaning more toward the air dry paints. I have yet to try my air dry but should be able to give them a go before the summer is over on one of my kits I purchased from DD. She is made in the German vinyl. So I'll keep you posted on how that went.

Let us know how you get along with the AR paints and if YOU like them. :)

Noantum · Senior Member

Will do

Don't worry about the wordiness or sounding defensive. This is a relaxed and informative place. I know what you meant so I'm not offended

Not at all....lol
Chalks? Wow that is nice that you have tried many different mediums, you know what works. I will be looking forward to seeing how you like the air dry paints and will definately keep you posted on my progress. I hope all goes well.

Buffington · Guru

Yes, it is nice and relaxed in here isn't it? We have lots of really nice talented artists in here.
I have tried most of the methods out there, some having detrimental effects on my babies in the long run. I also was the one (or one of them) that called the alert on using the Goof Off and the babyfat. Pretty nasty stuff. But now, like you said, it's nice that I tried stuff so I can give an expert opinion and don't have to rely on hearsay.

I'm sure you'll do just fine with painting. Be sure to get the rooting dvd, Stephanie is really great at rooting.

Noantum · Senior Member

I'll check out the dvd. I'm also going to check the forum posts for the info on the babyfat....I was planning to use them in the future.

Buffington · Guru

I'm not sure it's on this forum. This is our second forum as the first one somehow got wiped out with the touch of a button! We had to start allllll over :( It was an accident and we lost a lot of great posts. And of course not everyone came back and when some did they (we) didn't remember what questions had been asked and what answers were given before. Oh my, it was such a loss. But we have a lot of really great posts on this one now.

In essence, what we call "baby fat" was squishy little rounds of some stuff that was never meant to be used in our babies, and was never meant to be sealed in or come in contact with vinyl, vinyl/silicone, etc. It was manufactured for making it "into" something by machines and molds. So when put into the limbs it would eventually (sometime between 3-9 mos or longer) start a chemical reaction and the limbs would get oily and some started dripping an oil-like substance and would eventually deteriorate the doll parts! Who know's if it was toxic or not in that state of existance. I went on the manufacturer's website and found out the information and also got word from them that it was not made for that purpose and to stop using it for that. Some say there is "safe" baby fat but I personally have not seen anything on where they got their information on it being safe! I need to see it in writing! The company I did get info from said there is no such thing in the little pellets/rounds.

Some people put it in the cloth doll body where there would be less of a chance of it having a reaction but I have heard (don't quote me on this) that even if it sits together in a bunch it can have problems. So therefore I won't try it or risk something happening to my babies once they leave the nursery. Some do use the silicone breast-type sealed sections that are used in woman's bra's but they put them in the diaper and in the tummy area only. I haven't researched any issues those yet. But as far as the fat pellets, no way for me!

Dee · Guru

Hi Emily I had a hard time getting my pics on I'm so goofy at times, they are in the artist showcase under show pics of your finished babies, I hope you see them.

Noantum · Senior Member

Thanks so much for the information on the babyfat! I did find something on it and it said just what you said about that. Ewww yuck! I surely would not want that in my baby. I thought of using the breast pads too but wasn't sure if it would have the same reaction. I'm thinking of leaving it out for now.
I am very pleased to say that my kit arrived!

I also bought the fine glass beads to put in the baby. I didn't even know it was here confuse

Silly letter carrier left at my mailbox, good thing I have wonderful neighbors. However, I'm still waiting for my oven (I bought the Hamilton Beach countertop convection oven). I found out that Secrist does not take PayPal which meant I had to transfer the funds to my bank account and order the supplies today.
Do you know how long it takes for Secrist to ship?

So, I'm excited yet frustrated that I still have to wait to get started. Do you know that when I opened the box and saw the kit I was immediately scared! I saw how tiny she was and for a moment thought there was no way I could paint her without making a mess! lol I then thought about it some more and realized I can do it. biggrin

lol
Dee I'm going to check out the showcase today. Thanks.
Happy Saturday ladies, I hope you have a good day.

Buffington · Guru

Until it gets closer to Thanksgiving, they used to say 7-10 days, but you have to remember... they are off on Fri-Sun. So that's pretty good if the factory/office is only open 4 days a week!

Oh, I'm sure you'll do just fine :)

Noantum · Senior Member

Thaks xo

Buffington · Guru

You are welcome :)

Sugardu · Member

Does the Hamilton-Beach oven have just a bake dial?
Will it only heat when timer is on?
Lastly, do they warn you not to use outside?
I have a GE, and am going to call on Monday.

Noantum · Senior Member

Hi there and welcome to the forum! The oven has several dials. I bought it because it has the convection cycle. You may have to play with the temperature dial to find the right temp as I had to. Now it have it set at 210 degrees F and it keeps the right temp that I need.
It has another dial which is the timer but you can set it to "Stay On" and it will do just that, that is what I do.
The oven does not come with any warnings about cooking outside as it is meant to cook food. However, to be on the safe side, I put mine right on the counter at my kitchen window. Then when I am using it I turn my industrial fan on and point it to the oven so the fumes go right out the window. So far this has worked wonderfully! I know because at one cycle I didn't turn on the fan and we could smell the slight smell of the vinyl. I must say though that I use only the non-toxic kits! I won't use any other as I've done alot of research and gotten much advice from the wonderful ladies here about the warnings of using the toxic kits.
I hope this helps you and HAPPY REBORNING!

Buffington · Guru

Most of the ovens have more than one dial. If it only has one dial it might be a toaster oven instead and this is not the one used for the kits. I have a hamilton Beach and it has 3 dials... temp, function, time. It also has 2 adjustable racks.

I like that it will shut off when the timer goes off. That way it cools down and I don't have to worry about my kits if I forget. It's great if you're baking clay too! But if you turn it all the way to the left it has a position for stay on, that's what Emily said she does. I do too sometimes if I know I won't be distracted.

I'm sure all those little appliances warn not to use outdoors so no one gets a shock in the rain but I put mine on our covered patio so no problem. So if you're putting yours under a covered patio or something like that, it's ok as long as it doesn't rain or drip on it or the plug in cord for it.
I'm not sure if the manufacturer will understand that we bake our baby parts in them so it might void your warranty if you call them and tell them what you are baking in it. :o A lot of companies and people just don't have a clue as to what a lifelike reborn is nor what we do to make them. As Emily said, the ovens are used for baking food, not other things.