Materials you'll be needing:
*Hot Glue Gun- I use high temp, but any temp is good. you can get them for two bucks at Michaels.
*Hot Glue Sticks- Dhur
*Short Popsicle Sticks
*A Doll!
Alrighty, here's Jabou' as our subject:
Ja: hey guys :3
Take this time to plug in your glue gun and pop in a stick. For those who have never used one they drip, so put it on something you won't miss XD Take off their clothes and their wig too so you don't drip glue on them by accident because it won't come off very well, if at all.
You don't have to unstring your doll to do this, but it makes it easier if you can. I don't know how to unstring a Hound yet so this will be done while strung.
Step 1:
Clean the socket thoroughly with some water or rubbing alcohol. If your dollie is still strung find a way you can pull the part out of the socket and sit it so it won't snap back in or find a comfortable position for your hand to hold it away. In this case the sting slit on the lower leg fits into the lip of the socket.
Step 2:
Squeeze on a nice glob onto the end of your popsicle stick. The smaller the doll the smaller the glob. A little bit goes a long way!
Step 3:
After squeezing it on immediately smear the glue against the side of the socket in circular motions until you start to feel a little bit of resistance and then take the stick away. Once it's cool to touch check to see if it feels bumpy or not. Bumpy is good, this adds more friction and makes it easier to hold poses.
WARNING!: If the joint snaps back in before the glue is dry take it out immediately! Hot glue dries pretty fast (ESPECIALLY the low temp). Make sure you have a good grip on those pieces if you're working with a still strung doll before you apply the glue.
Repeat these steps here:
You can also put some glue here too:
You don't have to, like if your doll is super tight it may not need it.
Now put the limb back into the socket and see if it fits. Don't worry if it doesn't fit right, just peel the glue out with your nails or something that won't gouge the resin (like a cuticle pusher... or your popsicle stick!) and re-apply the glue. If there's any glue peeking out, again, just pick it off with something.
Repeat these steps for all other sockets.
Notes:
*This form of sueding is easy, fast, and forgivable if you goof, but it doesn't last as long as the other forms of sueding. After a few months, especially if you play with your doll a lot, the glue will get dirty and will flatten out and you will have to re-apply.
*You don't have to apply glue to the entire socket, just enough to add resistance. For example, in the photos of the knee joint, glue can be applied in just the first two sides. The parts may not fit right if there's too much glue in there.
Have fun sueding!
If there's something I haven't addressed feel free to add or ask!
