Can I lighten TPE with bleach? (Fade tan to lighter skin)

DexterQuest · Post by **DexterQuest** » Mon May 14, 2018 8:28 am

So I have 3 WM dolls that are a "medium" skin tone, and they are exactly what I want in all my dolls.
I ordered a twin for my WM-168/A and I even thought the Factory pics were okay, but in person she was dark tan. This is the 3rd time that the skin tone was out of my personal range. One time it was too light.

When I search for bleach and fading, I don't find any topics about this. I get bleach for treating mold and fading for makeup.

You can see the side by sides of my Previous Factory, Previous doll + New doll, and New Factory photos.

: previous_vs_new_vs_factory.jpg (262.6 KiB) Viewed 3142 times

: day_and_night.jpg (141.29 KiB) Viewed 3142 times

viktorsx · Post by **viktorsx** » Mon May 14, 2018 9:09 am

you could try

TPE color is flesh deep not skin deep and blech of TPE could/would change the qualites perhaps ...

maybe try airbrush diluted (pure mineral oil) oil pastel to tone ...

dont know but when you find out please share ...

/V

Mr Miyagi · Post by **Mr Miyagi** » Mon May 14, 2018 9:22 am

Have you tried sulfuric acid?

30pointbuck · Post by **30pointbuck** » Mon May 14, 2018 9:24 am

I've read that bleach is not good for TPE. Only way I would use it is for mold. I would think it will not change the color but you get get a sample chunk of TPE to test.

Post by **Sange Doll** » Mon May 14, 2018 9:43 am

dolljunction · Post by **dolljunction** » Mon May 14, 2018 9:47 am

Wow Great....

Urdor Izajar · Post by **Urdor Izajar** » Mon May 14, 2018 9:55 am

I'd stick with powder to lighten the skin. Bleach just sounds bad to me. I'm not sure how you'd get an even lightening without blotches.

RGC_0767 · Post by **RGC_0767** » Mon May 14, 2018 10:24 am

Urdor Izajar wrote:I'd stick with powder to lighten the skin. Bleach just sounds bad to me. I'm not sure how you'd get an even lightening without blotches.

safer!! not permanent.

DexterQuest · Post by **DexterQuest** » Thu May 17, 2018 8:15 am

I tested a hair non-ammonia bleach kit on a tpe piece. It did nothing to lighten, it only warped the tpe shape.

Using powder really doesn't do anything.

I'm thinking if there is something powerful enough to actually lighten the skin, it will probably distort the shape.

dave7311 · Post by **dave7311** » Thu May 17, 2018 11:12 am

DexterQuest, ( 'Question' : Can I lighten TPE with bleach? ( Fade tan to lighter skin )

" CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER BEFORE YOU REGRET IT! "

NOTE: We are all entitled to an opinion & all have one, but realistically speaking;
" Would you not agree that the people that do this for a living are best suited for advise /advice ? "

just my 2 cents,

DexterQuest · Post by **DexterQuest** » Fri May 25, 2018 6:07 pm

dave7311, I've talked with the TDF vendor immediately about this problem and he basically just says sorry. Nothing is going to happen with that.

I have been experimenting with paint. Water based paints don't work (they just crack and don't bind to TPE), but oil base is working. The oil doesn't evaporate to dry, it oxidizes to dry so the full test could take a month. But my first week of testing was enough for me to custom order the right color paint. I tested over 50 color samples (cards) and finally found a match to my good dolls. It's Sherwin-Williams SW 0034 "Roycroft Rose". (The website color is weird, but the physical card is amazing.) (My skin tone desire is a nice medium which I feel is like 45% natural, 15% pink, 40% light tan.)

The first doll I paint will be my first WM158/A as she is the worst offender. She needs a full bodysuit with a different head otherwise. If that goes well, I'll consider fixing my other dolls. The big test is to see how well it holds up with use. I've confirmed with a pro that he lets oil cure for a month before doing anything like distressing or other use. So the final tests will be a long ways off.

I will probably make this recommendation for long term areola coloring if you can keep you hands off for a month. (Meaning you need to have at least a second doll to keep you busy.) For my doll, I'll be taking this "flesh tint" artist tube and mixing it with the SW paint for the areolas.

samara78 · Post by **samara78** » Fri May 25, 2018 7:54 pm

Not recommended to use bleach or acid. It will destroy the tpe.

Gordonis · Post by **Gordonis** » Sat May 26, 2018 12:32 am

What about fake tan spray? Like when people go get a spray on tan? Would that work?

Anung Un Rama · Post by **Anung Un Rama** » Sat May 26, 2018 12:42 am

Gordonis wrote:What about fake tan spray? Like when people go get a spray on tan? Would that work?

I do not think that she will weigh any less if you bleach her mate

Aussie humour at the title, but for your quoted question, have a look at what DL2 has done here with his tpe gal Olinka

https://www.dollforum.com/forum/viewtop ... 4#p1314054

Send him a PM, and he will gladly walk you through the how to.

Anung

DexterQuest · Post by **DexterQuest** » Sat May 26, 2018 4:46 am

You guys are going the wrong direction. It's easier to go darker. I wanted to go lighter. My above post talks about how I'm going ahead with oil paint. The color will be ready for pick up in the morning.