Standing Foot Option Vs. Shower
Standing Foot Option Vs. Shower
Newbie user here. I've been doing my homework by doing a lot of reading and research (lurking) here over the past few days. THANK YOU to all my senpais and senseis here at TDF for sharing your knowledge! I have always been intrigued by the idea of owning a doll ever since discovering Realdoll as a high-schooler. As with many who are interested, the price and challenges of ownership prevented it from being anything more than a wet PIPE dream. After saving money and researching to overcome those challenges, I'm finally ready! "Cheaper" often means lower quality and lifespan, but from what I've read so far on current TPE tech, I feel that it may actually more economic than silicone in most cases...and feels nicer.
Anyway, I have not placed my order yet, but am really interested in the WM140A. I was pushed over the edge on this one thanks to dolllover84's Brianna. (HOLY CRAP! look her up!). Also as a first-time doll owner, I've read many pieces of advice to start small. I will be customizing her with the head #51 and some wigs I fell in love with. I've been impressed by the helpfulness of the staff at RLSD, and have been keeping an eye on them since 2015. With their attitude and a bonus of being US-based, I've decided I will be ordering thru them.
So to finally address the thread title, I'm interested in the idea of a free-standing doll, but know that it exposes the inner skeleton to water/debris intrusions at the bottoms of the feet. It seems regular showering/bathing is a must with dolls, and I've seen recommendations to place plastic bags over the heads and feet of dolls, secured with rubber bands, to prevent water intrusion. My issue here is that it seems the feet and neck areas would never be washed, unless you sponge-bathe them afterwards. Also, wouldn't water running down her legs seep past the rubber-band's grip, via wrinkles in the bag, and into the feet anyway? One idea I had was maybe to seal the bolt areas on the bottoms of the feet with Vaseline to help waterproof them, either in addition to, or possibly, -instead of- the plastic bags. Any thoughts? It would be so enjoyable to actually shower with my new girl standing there with me, with no bags on her head or feet, but that seems impossible, as the head's eye sockets and neck area are too vulnerable.
Of course, my number one priority would be to prevent moisture intrusion, AT ALL COSTS. I hear that moisture intrusion could spell the end of the doll's lifespan due to mold. Wouldn't even sponge bathing pose some intrusion hazard at the bottoms of the feet? You know, if in the end, the standing-foot option is just too much of a risk, I would rather do without it, than to let it jeopardize my doll. Standing would just be a "bonus" for me, not really a make-or-break desire on my list.
Finally, assuming top-notch, proper care, what kind of lifespan can I expect from a TPE doll? I've seen a member here showing a silicon doll who is still ok after TEN years! How long has anyone here gotten a good TPE doll to last? I think it would hurt my heart badly to have to dispose of her some day, like losing a loved one.
- SinsuaLuvr
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Re: Standing Foot Option Vs. Shower
Doll lifespan is completely based on the amount of TLC, use or abuse your synthetic companion is exposed to. She will be completely dependent on your every move. TPE dolls are still relatively newcomers, but we have had members maintain their TPE gurls for several years. Accidents happen and mechanical aspects will eventually fail. There is no set timeline. Your mileage may vary based on doll, manufacturer, and mainly you. You will need equal doses of imagination, creativity and mechanical skills for a successful long term relationship.
It is not wholly recommended to let any doll just "free stand" on their own. This is because the feet are not designed to hold their own weight like a real human foot is. Dolls have a small plate and ankle joint. The rest is just covered into the TPE material which while very soft, it is also fragile and easily damaged. Socks and shoes may help reinforce the area but usually just hides the damage until she is undressed. Knees, hands, and elbow all share the similar trait of being easily damaged when supporting doll positions incorrectly.
Most TPE dolls have an option called "standing foot". It adds 3 screws that extend from the foot plate through the sole of the feet. The screws are easily noticeable and are supposed act as hardpoint reinforcement so that standing weight doesn't Squish, cut or otherwise damage the delicate skin. However since the screws protrude from the skin, these areas are prone to severe localized skin tears.
In short never rely on your doll standing and supporting their own weight. Always use some kind of support to distribute weight and stabilize. Alternatively use a specialized doll/mannequin fixture or stand. I know it can take away from the fantasy you may have but it is the reality of the dolls currently (TPE or silicone). If you have the slightest foot fetish; by-pass standing foot option.
See this thread for more info and pictures:
http://dollforum.com/forum/viewtopic.ph ... ad4e5ae042
I do not mean to dissuade or scare you off, TPE and silicone dolls both have pros and cons and can be deeply satisfying or frustrating. Your first doll will have a steep learning curve. However I do want new potential owners to understand the conceptual realities they will face.
April - 80cm elfling (silicone-9lbs) ~ 2016 from JM Dolls
Tawney - 132cm {Lexi head} - (silicone-45lbs) ~ 2017 from Private Island Beauties
Sophie - Piper 100cm {Jessica head} - (silicone-28lbs) ~ 2024 from SexDollCanada
Olivia - AK6 157cm {#45 head} - (silicone-68lbs) ~ 2024 from RosemaryDoll
”My Better Half” - 90cm Legs & Hips (TPE - 24lbs) ~ 2024 Seiraku Toys from Onahole
Re: Standing Foot Option Vs. Shower
BTW, I recommend Velcro ties over rubber bands. Be sure to get longer ties than you think you need.ZZZZ wrote: Subject: Be cool about shower safety
The first time I showered with her her, the bolts in her feet scratched right through the plastic bags she was wearing. Then the bolts scratched the heck out of my tub. Here's what I did the second time:
Re: Standing Foot Option Vs. Shower
ZZZZ, I'm surprised you didn't get any water intrusion, even thru the most meticulous velcro wrapping. I would think it would be impossible to keep the water that will be running down her legs, from getting into the tiny imperfections in the contact between the bag and her ankle...just due to gravity.
Re: Standing Foot Option Vs. Shower
The TPE is soft, so the imperfections in contact are tinier than you're thinking. I fold the top of the bag down over the Velcro, so the water runs off instead of being held against her leg. If you were building a submarine hull that had to withstand complete immersion, at high pressure, for long periods of time, I wouldn't suggest plastic bags and Velcro ties. Keeping doll feet from getting wet in the shower is much less demanding.Falcohol wrote: ZZZZ, I'm surprised you didn't get any water intrusion, even thru the most meticulous velcro wrapping. I would think it would be impossible to keep the water that will be running down her legs, from getting into the tiny imperfections in the contact between the bag and her ankle...just due to gravity.
Re: Standing Foot Option Vs. Shower
From what I've seen, most people wanting to do the shower, whether water running or just sitting in there to be wiped with a cloth, use a small chair. You do have to be careful about damage or tile or porcelain, and to fiberglass as well if the chair focuses too much weight into too small of a surface area for its feet (the more surface area, the better.) To me, having a doll standing in a shower is too many risks piled on top of each other to be a good idea.
Re: Standing Foot Option Vs. Shower
Re: Standing Foot Option Vs. Shower
Stand her up with good shoes (I have never had a doll stand barefoot or only with socks, it is like begging for trouble IMO), and cover the neck (or keep head on). I also jam tampons up her openings.
When done I pat the doll dry and store it horizontally to air dry, making sure the feet and screws are nicely ventilated. No problem so far, oldest doll is 2+ years old.
- AddictedToSexDolls
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Re: Standing Foot Option Vs. Shower
If I get the standing option for a 6YE 166 cm A cup doll I plan on purchasing.. can I keep her in the standing position at all times, instead of storing her in the box in he laying position ?Falcohol wrote:Greetings, fellow TDFers
Newbie user here. I've been doing my homework by doing a lot of reading and research (lurking) here over the past few days. THANK YOU to all my senpais and senseis here at TDF for sharing your knowledge! I have always been intrigued by the idea of owning a doll ever since discovering Realdoll as a high-schooler. As with many who are interested, the price and challenges of ownership prevented it from being anything more than a wet PIPE dream. After saving money and researching to overcome those challenges, I'm finally ready! "Cheaper" often means lower quality and lifespan, but from what I've read so far on current TPE tech, I feel that it may actually more economic than silicone in most cases...and feels nicer.
Anyway, I have not placed my order yet, but am really interested in the WM140A. I was pushed over the edge on this one thanks to dolllover84's Brianna. (HOLY CRAP! look her up!). Also as a first-time doll owner, I've read many pieces of advice to start small. I will be customizing her with the head #51 and some wigs I fell in love with. I've been impressed by the helpfulness of the staff at RLSD, and have been keeping an eye on them since 2015. With their attitude and a bonus of being US-based, I've decided I will be ordering thru them.
So to finally address the thread title, I'm interested in the idea of a free-standing doll, but know that it exposes the inner skeleton to water/debris intrusions at the bottoms of the feet. It seems regular showering/bathing is a must with dolls, and I've seen recommendations to place plastic bags over the heads and feet of dolls, secured with rubber bands, to prevent water intrusion. My issue here is that it seems the feet and neck areas would never be washed, unless you sponge-bathe them afterwards. Also, wouldn't water running down her legs seep past the rubber-band's grip, via wrinkles in the bag, and into the feet anyway? One idea I had was maybe to seal the bolt areas on the bottoms of the feet with Vaseline to help waterproof them, either in addition to, or possibly, -instead of- the plastic bags. Any thoughts? It would be so enjoyable to actually shower with my new girl standing there with me, with no bags on her head or feet, but that seems impossible, as the head's eye sockets and neck area are too vulnerable.
Of course, my number one priority would be to prevent moisture intrusion, AT ALL COSTS. I hear that moisture intrusion could spell the end of the doll's lifespan due to mold. Wouldn't even sponge bathing pose some intrusion hazard at the bottoms of the feet? You know, if in the end, the standing-foot option is just too much of a risk, I would rather do without it, than to let it jeopardize my doll. Standing would just be a "bonus" for me, not really a make-or-break desire on my list.
Finally, assuming top-notch, proper care, what kind of lifespan can I expect from a TPE doll? I've seen a member here showing a silicon doll who is still ok after TEN years! How long has anyone here gotten a good TPE doll to last? I think it would hurt my heart badly to have to dispose of her some day, like losing a loved one.
Re: Standing Foot Option Vs. Shower
Re: Standing Foot Option Vs. Shower
Lean her against the wall, like she's being frisked, with a towel between her hands and the wall.
Give her a sponge bath from behind then turn her around so she leans back against the towel/wall.
The towel will keep the walls clean from smudges and water, as long as you don't go overboard with the cleaning the water stays in the pool, and you're completely safe from water getting places it shouldn't go. As an added bonus you can very easily clean her out with the bulb right into the pool while you're at it. Once the cleaning is done either dump the pool outside, or into the tub depending what's easier.
Re: Standing Foot Option Vs. Shower
I know you'd have to rig it for with supports rather then just a friction hold like a regular shower curtain because of the weight. But it would be an option like a shower stool.
Chastity Ode Knight (YL170 D-cup, WM#33 head), Chastity's Album and Old eye candy page.
Chastity Knight 2.0 (JY170 H-cup, GU02 head) 2.0 Eye Candy page
Nina D'Hule (retired), Nina's Album
Re: Standing Foot Option Vs. Shower
That said, I still recommend sponge baths. Too many things can go wrong in a shower, to either your doll or your shower (or both.)