The Doll Forum

Here's a video I created today showing what to do to get Realdoll eyes to move easily:
You only need a small syringe, I used a CPU cooling paste syringe (which I cleaned out of course), a container for some water, and some dish soap.

If the doll is new, the eyeball sticks to the silicone pretty well, so at first, it need some extra prodding to get the eye moving. Opening the eyelid and gently pushing the eye around in the socket helps to loosen it up, letting the dish soap water mixture do it's work.

It basically forms a barrier between the silicone and the eye, allowing it to move freely, as shown in the video.
IMO, regular lube tends to over-lubricate the socket, making the eye too slippery.

Thank you. I just need to pick-up a small syringe and hopefully I can fix Azures lazy eye without doing any more damage to her eyelashes.

0osik

Thanks for the vid, Alex, that's pretty much what I do (I use 'Monoject' syringes from the hobby shop). However I found plain water works fine also, with the added benefit thatvit doesn't leave a soapy build up when it dries. It can also leave a wet appearance to the eye which adds realism.

Cool, and well done! You will have to be more careful what you do not because she can follow you with her eyes.

Mark

Thanks everyone
Plain water may indeed also work, but I feel, with a little bit of dish soap it makes the water more slippery.
With the small amount of soap, the water doesn't foam up, so I can't say it leaves much behind.

The wet appearance of the eyes is indeed a bonus

Great thanks for creating and sharing the vid.

This might also work on other brands. I'm going to try this for a future photo shoot.

AlexKmight,

Worked great, eyes move really easy but hold the position when released. However I still have a hard time aligning both eyes to a natural looking position. I think Azures eye just mesmerize me when I look into them.

0osik

Thanks, AlexK. I might try this when I ever get Ocean out of his crate. I'm working on that.
Shimu

0osik wrote:However I still have a hard time aligning both eyes to a natural looking position.

That just takes practice to get right, you have to pick a point where both irises focus at. It's a little tricky, and with me, it takes several adjustments to get right.
But when the eyes can easily be moved, that helps a lot to make small adjustments.

Thanks for making and posting this video Alex!

I bought an Anatomical doll with 2 heads and tried everything to get the eyes moving, I tried lube on a cotton bud pushed behind the eyes. . . that didn't work and they were still too hard to move, doing this I buggered the delicate eye lashes up and had to glue them back on!

I'm glad you posted this because I found it and tried it (after I'd almost given up) and it works brilliantly! The eyes of both AD heads now move with great ease!

You should make this one a sticky, it should/will save a lot of doll owners lots of trouble and possible damage. Not just for RD's but for all dolls with poseable eyes.

Awww you're hurting her by touching her eyes :/ Lol, just joking.

But yeah, nice instructional video.

Finally! A method that works! I tried water, Astroglide, a combination, nothing seemed to work until now. When I first got Kwench, her left eye was off a bit, and I had to move it. I tried many methods, and did get it to match the other, but her right eye never moved - ever. I also damaged a lash in the process. It was extremely difficult, and I felt too risky to even try again. She would just look straight ahead forever. It was like she had the "fixed" eyes. It seemed they were bolted in place. Then I saw mention of this video in another thread. I knew you had the answer, and your dolls were full-head designs too. Both her eyes move now. A very helpful video. The music was also perfect for the mood. Thanks Alex!

That's what I call a perfect tutorial
Zoe's moves easier now and Guy likes simple and effective solutions. Thanks for sharing AlexKnight

Glad to hear my tutorial helped your ladies get rid of their lazy eye