Need advice on sanding the Dream Dollfie eyelids...

I am currently in the middle of modifying my DDH-06 head, which originally was a closed-eye head. While I have the cut just how I want it, I am running in a problem with sanding the original eyelid area down to look smoother.

It is a similar eye shape to the DDH-01, but I wanted a more mature overall face shape, so I chose this...

 

This is a thread which I had seen earlier, and is basically what I am trying to do:

http://www.dollfiedreams.com/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=3229

 

The main problem is, my thumb really really hurts from all the sanding, which is progressing very slowly. I can't afford a dremel, and don't think it would be worth it since I only have this one doll(can't afford more).

 

Are there any kind of techniques or tips for sanding the fine delicate areas of a Dream Dollfie's face?

In particular, I'm finding it difficult to sand the upper portion of the original eyelid without constantly hitting the closed part of the lid.

Hours of sanding seems to make little to no difference for the hard-to-reach areas on the sides.

 

This is how it looked before sanding, and after cutting with the exacto knife:

http://sadpanda.us/images/1220179-DT9APZH.jpg

 

This is how it currently looks. It's been mostly smoothed down, but I can't seem to get rid of those scratch marks/wrinkles on the sides of the eyelid, where the skin has gotten thin/soft. I can't dig too deep since the head is hollow and I do not want to break it:

http://sadpanda.us/images/1220162-RM5Q9A5.jpg

 

I have been using varying sizes of sand, from a course sandpaper (but poor quality, the sand keeps falling out!), to a better quality sanding pad(a finer 200-400 grit).

After writing this, I realize I've already gotten blisters from rubbing the sandpaper...

 

Any help is appreciated.

Hi

 

I am the OP of the post you linked to.

 

When sanding, I do rough stuff with 120 grit (and water if I am avoiding dust) and then smooth with 800 grit and then 1200 grit. If the plastic on the side of the eyes is now too thin to sand, you may want to reinforce it with some epoxy putty on the inside of the head, but use a large bead or similar to make sure you have room for the eyes afterwards.

 

For hard to reach places, I do the the roughest sanding (shaping) using needle files. These are long, thin files tthat come in different profiles (semicircle, triangle etc). I do the smoothing for these areas by folding 800-1200 grit sandpaper very thinly to form a stick, or taping it to a thin knitting needle.

 

Hope this helps!

Hi

 

I am the OP of the post you linked to.

 

When sanding, I do rough stuff with 120 grit (and water if I am avoiding dust) and then smooth with 800 grit and then 1200 grit. If the plastic on the side of the eyes is now too thin to sand, you may want to reinforce it with some epoxy putty on the inside of the head, but use a large bead or similar to make sure you have room for the eyes afterwards.

 

For hard to reach places, I do the the roughest sanding (shaping) using needle files. These are long, thin files tthat come in different profiles (semicircle, triangle etc). I do the smoothing for these areas by folding 800-1200 grit sandpaper very thinly to form a stick, or taping it to a thin knitting needle.

 

Hope this helps!

 

Ah I see. Thanks a lot! I will try the needle method for now.

 

PS: Here is my current progress on the head:

http://i.imgur.com/Ge7HM.jpg

Looking good so far. I look forward to seeing her finished.

Thanks so much, I've gotten the wig(still need to trim it), and though I'm still waiting for the eyes, I made some temporary eyes by penciling/markering on paper which I taped inside the head. XD

 

This is the current look now, but I still am waiting for proper eyes:

http://sadpanda.us/images/1223361-G8L2WDR.jpg

Amazing. She looks fantastic!!!

Amazing. She looks fantastic!!!

 

Thanks a lot.

To be honest, I was worried before I painted it, that I would mess up or cut off the whole thing on accident. Luckily it turned out good, especially considering I've never worked with a real doll face before, only digital 3D ones...

 

Although, I guess I made it a bit too feminine.

I wanted it to be a boy, but then I added blush and lip color because I felt no color made him seem lifeless... XD

 

I am considering buying a female body for this head, and getting a Parabox Ryu head for the boy, if I ever get enough money again.