Not sure what to do...

So, I bought a Kirika head second hand and today I was playing around with her and she fell. I tried to catch her but I couldn't. One of her ears got the tip chipped off and to make this even worse I can't find the part that came off. I have no idea what to do about this... Considering she's secondhand and all I severely doubt volks would send a replacement ear if I asked. I can't find the piece that chipped off so there's no way to repair it either... I even vacuumed the area and checked what came out of it. Nothing. Idk what to do short of trying to buy new ones and I really doubt I'd find someone selling just the ears anywhere since they only fit her head.

If you know the buyer, and they can confirm they are the first owner I would totally recommend contacting them and asking if they would ask Volks for replacement options for her ears. (Though they-the seller, or volks--may be unwilling)

 

It may cost you a pretty penny, but you never know. I've known people who have done this before (though mostly with very specific hands, like SD17). Volks sometimes helps, sometimes doesn't.

 

Only thing is I think her warranty may be long past too, so that may stop them from offering even if you are willing to pay. Second hand, or maybe seeing if you can find a trustworthy modder to fix may be your only options.

 

Hope you find a solution, cause that majorly sucks. ><;; I'm sorry you're stuck in the situation in the first place.

I can think of a few things.

 

You can post a WTB here on the forum markets.

 

You could search Yahoo Japan Auctions. I've seen all kinds of DD bits there, but shipping will be painful.

 

You could contact someone on the forum who does elf ear mods and see if they can repair it. I think Freya of Freya's face-ups does those, but I can't recall for sure.

So, I did find the other piece, and I talked to a friend who's pretty good with handy stuff and he said he could take a shot at it. If that doesn't work I'll try some of the things suggested here. Thanks guys.

One trick used in figure modeling is to use metal pins to secure two pieces. Similar in concept to pinning a broken bone. Basically you use a micro drill called a pin vice to make a hole in each piece then use a thin metal rod plus glue to secure the two halves.

 

In the case a resin it's not porous enough for glue alone, but this may be unecessary with vinyl. I can tell you from experience pinning small parts is a pain because it's tough to get them perfectly lined up. It is the best way to secure model parts to each other. With some strong epoxy and a pin it should never fall off again.

 

There may be better options if the ears are hard vinyl like the heads. Vinyl might be porous enough to use super glue.

If I remember correctly they're resin. But the broken piece is small enough that I wonder if it would really work and if it would be safe to do.

If I remember correctly they're resin. But the broken piece is small enough that I wonder if it would really work and if it would be safe to do.

 

If it's too small probably no. I think the smallest I have done is fingers on a 1/8 polystone figure model.

 

If they are resin super glue won't be a good option. You probably need strong epoxy that can be applied in a thin coat to each half. Then you'll need to remove any that overflows as the halves are pressed together. There are a lot of epoxies out there, but a good hobby shop should be able to help you select the right one.

If I remember correctly they're resin. But the broken piece is small enough that I wonder if it would really work and if it would be safe to do.

 

If it's too small probably no. I think the smallest I have done is fingers on a 1/8 polystone figure model.

 

If they are resin super glue won't be a good option. You probably need strong epoxy that can be applied in a thin coat to each half. Then you'll need to remove any that overflows as the halves are pressed together. There are a lot of epoxies out there, but a good hobby shop should be able to help you select the right one.

 

On that note, I've used E6000 to get magnets back in to resin hands before. The hand itself broke before that magnet even thought of coming out again. Though I'm not sure if it's technically classed as a super glue or an epoxy. It's got a bit of give when it's fully cured, so even if you dropped the head again, you shouldn't break the ears in the same place unless you drop it *hard*.

 

Disclaimer though, E6000 smells awful and is stringy like hot glue. But it is a great "general purpose" adhesive to have around. So many applications, haha.

From the description it sounds like it would work with resin. If it can bond smooth glass it can probably bond anything.

 

Epoxy doesn't exactly smell like a bed of roses.

I am SO GLAD you found the missing piece! That's half the battle right there.

 

I have used Loctite brand Super Glue Gel to repair broken resin fingers with great success. It's nice because it has a pinpoint applicator and isn't runny at all. I have even squeezed the fingers together afterward and the repairs held up. If you apply it sparingly, it doesn't squirt out between the two broken pieces. The breaks were almost undetectable.

 

Linda S.

galatia9

From the description it sounds like it would work with resin. If it can bond smooth glass it can probably bond anything.

 

Epoxy doesn't exactly smell like a bed of roses.

 

This is true, haha. The smell is partially why I'm not entirely sure if it's technically super glue or epoxy. It's wizard glue.

My friend who I asked about it mentioned something called a liquid plastic welder after I showed him pictures and explained my concern over there being a visible seam if it was glued back. I'm... I'm honestly not sure at all what that is. I just asked him if he thought it would be safe considering this is resin. I've heard resin can be heat sensitive but idk for sure. I haven't gotten a response yet. But he said that that thing would make a smooth seal and whatever seam was still visible would just be clear stuff showing and that could be painted over if it really needed to be done.I'll also mention the epoxy stuff to him though. I'm very, very dumb when it comes to this stuff and honestly I don't trust myself not to screw it up. My dad may have some epoxy lying around I can borrow if we go that route.

This may be a dumb question, but are you sure that it's chipped? I have had doll parts seemingly chip before, and in some cases they just turned out to be rough dents that I could boil out (in the case of resin). Of course you would know better than me, as you know what the damage looks like, but since you mentioned not being able to find the piece that chipped off, I thought that it may be worth mentioning.

 

Either way, I hope that it will all work out for you in the end! It's horrible when something bad happens to a beloved doll...

 

This is true, haha. The smell is partially why I'm not entirely sure if it's technically super glue or epoxy. It's wizard glue.

 

All the epoxies I know of come in two parts. One is the epoxy resin itself in a liquid state, and the other is a hardening agent that gets mixed with the epoxy.

 

My friend who I asked about it mentioned something called a liquid plastic welder after I showed him pictures and explained my concern over there being a visible seam if it was glued back. I'm... I'm honestly not sure at all what that is.

 

If he's talking about Bondic it uses UV light, and not heat. I believe that's probably another kind of epoxy. I don't know for sure that's what the liquid they use is, but there are epoxy resins that cure with UV light. They use those in making fiber optic cables. If that is what it is then it should be very strong.

 

It sounds like he knows what he is doing, so I think your ear is in good hands.

Yeah I asked him about it more and he did say it used UV light. He knows enough to where I'm completely lost 100% of the time so yeah. I do trust him.