Running a few experiments.

Tyr · Post by **Tyr** » Wed Jun 01, 2016 2:02 pm

Ok, Heard about the use of xylol with regard to repairs of TPE. To date I haven't seen any photos of said repairs (possibly due to my still finding my way about). So here we have 500ml of xylene,

: xylene; P1010109.JPG (788.75 KiB) Viewed 4979 times

which, according the the glorious internet, is the same stuff.

2:30 this afternoon

: test mix; P1010110.JPG (775.36 KiB) Viewed 4979 times

Roughly 50/50 mix of xylene and donor TPE.

6:30 this afternoon

: test mix + 4 hours; P1010120.JPG (753.56 KiB) Viewed 4979 times

Test sample:

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Test sample: test mix applied:

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: Test sample: test mix applied; P1010123.JPG (782.45 KiB) Viewed 4979 times

Now to see what happens...

Tyr.

DarkOne · Post by **DarkOne** » Wed Jun 01, 2016 2:18 pm

What I would really like to see is you put a cut into that insert, then try and seal it with the glue. Then slowly stretch and measure the insert and see how much stretch before the repair fails.

Tyr · Post by **Tyr** » Wed Jun 01, 2016 3:15 pm

DarkOne wrote:What I would really like to see is you put a cut into that insert, then try and seal it with the glue. Then slowly stretch and measure the insert and see how much stretch before the repair fails.

Ok, I have cut a slice into the side of the insert, sorry the photo is blurred but it is a clean cut.

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I have lined the inside of the cut with the test mix.

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So we now need to wait for the volatiles to evaporate out. Not sure how long that will take. It may be a while. Lets see what happens overnight.

The other test sites are still tacky 1.5 hours in.

I would guess that the mix could be adjusted in favour of the TPE. This mix is quite runny but clings to the TPE sample. It can be wiped off but leaves a witness/changes the surface texture of the material. I'll try to get a close up picture tomorrow.

DollAfficionado · Post by **DollAfficionado** » Wed Jun 01, 2016 5:22 pm

Very interesting. I have used a lot of TPE dolls, so I am very interested in these experiments.

Tyr · Post by **Tyr** » Thu Jun 02, 2016 6:31 am

10:30 am.
16 hours after application.
After allowing the test to set overnight, the test specimen areas are no longer tacky, any more than TPE is normally. the finish of the mix is shiny.

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the remaining test mix has become viscous and blobs on the end of the toothpick.

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this area I tried to fill a hole in the TPE, It was marginally successful, but overall, a failure. I believe that the test mix was too runny. I an going to fill the void with what remains of the test mix and see what happens.

Moving on to the cut repair:

: P1010130.JPG (759.86 KiB) Viewed 4927 times

I tried to shoot some video of the joint as I pulled it but I've never used the vid on my camera, It looked fine in the view window

In the interests if science, I will include them here if only to give a time scale to how long I tried to break the bond.

P1010131.MP4: (10.94 MiB) Downloaded 4491 times

P1010132.MP4: (6.48 MiB) Downloaded 4492 times

P1010133.MP4: (10.83 MiB) Downloaded 4490 times

P1010134.MP4: (5.88 MiB) Downloaded 4491 times

The joint did give way but I was actually impressed with the effort that it took. I was actually pulling the TPE apart, little bits were coming off on my hands.

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The break is clean and could probably be resealed. I will give it a go.

Important!
I think that it's time for a friendly disclaimer.
I am not a plastics expert.
I do this purely for curiosity's sake and the repair and maintenance of my own doll, Who, bless her, seems very fragile.
I would strongly recommend that anyone who would consider following this course of action as a means of doll repair conduct their own experiments and trials before going anywhere near their doll with this substance.
Anyone who does so, should be aware that they do so entirely at their own risk.
I will not be held accountable.
With that understood, I will be continuing my experiments and posting the results (hopefully better) in the future.

Regards,

Tyr

justintime · Post by **justintime** » Thu Jun 02, 2016 6:55 am

Really good experiment. The clean cut really looks promising. The filler, not so sure.
Many of the problem areas are in the vagina area and anal areas.

Thank you for taking the time.
Wish the makers would do something like this. ( pile dream)

Does anyone really know what that TPE "glue" is? The one makers sell for crazy money.

Keyman · Post by **Keyman** » Thu Jun 02, 2016 10:50 am

Good effort. I was thinking of trying this, but imagined getting the dissolved TPE into a sculpt paste consistency (kind of like a smooth peanut butter) type material. Maybe then try to set it after filling area with a TPE glue saturation.

Tyr · Post by **Tyr** » Thu Jun 02, 2016 11:24 am

before using TPE glue (solvent!), watch all the (Manufacturer's) videos you can find on how to do it correctly. My own personal experience of TPE glue has not been good so far. It's ok for clean cuts if not too deep. the problem is in the application, too much is disaster. Be careful.
I would be careful of using TPE glue and this method in the same place at the same time.
If in doubt, test it out!
My own investigations here are with a focus on filling holes, and a cure for surface tearing which seems to happen at the tops of legs and under arms. I am hopeful that the xylene will provide a solution in the right mix.
When the current experiment is concluded, a re run of the above with the more viscous mix, (not a fresh mix just left overnight). I will try another stickier mix/paste and will also try to prime the work area with a thin brushing of xylene applied with a cotton bud. but that will have to wait a day or so.

As an aside, the difference in the TPE between test sample and my girl is quite noticeable, the test sample is softer and seems more delicate.

Tyr

Dez · Post by **Dez** » Thu Jun 02, 2016 1:23 pm

AWESOME Information! thank you for sharing. cant wait to see how it turns out:)

justintime · Post by **justintime** » Thu Jun 02, 2016 1:58 pm

I do believe this is one of the more important topics here on TDF.
Many members now have TPE or are ordering them at record rates.

It would show such good faith, if a maker would put together a detailed set of videos on repairing small cuts to large damage.

How about it.....

DollAfficionado · Post by **DollAfficionado** » Thu Jun 02, 2016 5:48 pm

I would like to see that.

Tyr · Post by **Tyr** » Fri Jun 03, 2016 5:35 am

09:30.
43 hours after the original mix. The test mix has virtually set.

The second test using the leftover mix from the first test. This mix is 16 hours old, the mixture has become viscous.
the test sites are the same as the first test. one to examine the filling qualities of the mix, one to bond a split together.

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: P1010155.JPG (776.76 KiB) Viewed 4808 times

this is beginning to show signs of filling, it may require several applications. I also note that this area appeared swollen at the beginning of the experiment, it has virtually returned to normal. Some of the mix ran out even in this viscous state.

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So I gave this a tug too...

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Remember, this is entirely the test mix as it is a runoff from the test site above.

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The small blob did not recover.

Moving on to the split:

P1010159.MP4: (6.95 MiB) Downloaded 4374 times

P1010160.MP4: (11.08 MiB) Downloaded 4368 times

P1010161.MP4: (5.78 MiB) Downloaded 4370 times

P1010162.MP4: (7.19 MiB) Downloaded 4370 times

I don't know if you can see the videos ok but I've uploaded them anyway.
My impression is that the semi cured (16hour) mix was vastly more successful in repairing the cut. I was pulling the TPE apart. There was evidence of failure of the repair beginning but the damage elsewhere was considerable. The failure is progressive and not sudden.

: P1010163.JPG (780.73 KiB) Viewed 4808 times

I will be continuing these tests presently.

Tyr.

Tyr · Post by **Tyr** » Fri Jun 03, 2016 5:38 am

I wanted to show this too but ran out of room...

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I will add some xylene and see if it re dissolves.

Tyr.

Tyr · Post by **Tyr** » Tue Jun 07, 2016 5:01 am

Hi everyone,

New experiment today, testing my homemade hot knife.

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to repair this split in the test sample,

: P1010179.JPG (764.65 KiB) Viewed 4724 times

Here we go.

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: P1010181.JPG (703.62 KiB) Viewed 4724 times

I'll let the repair age a bit before stretching.
the blade was made out of an old cake slice that I found in a charity shop. takes a while to warm up but retains the heat. it seems to work well. Forgot to mention, the blade is not sharp and will not cut the TPE when cold.
I also have a 'snuff' spoon on order (arriving Thursday) which I will modify to fit the soldering iron and hopefully be able to make a smoothing tool for the TPE.

That's all folks.

Tyr