Yellowing: Is it "Natural" or does it constitute "Damage"?

I really don't mind yellowed dolls, I think it adds character. But then, if it did bother me, I'd just end up crying because Tobi's already yellow T_T I think it's inevitable with white-skin dolls, and should be expected when you buy one, moreso than skin-tone resin. I wouldn't want to try to 'fix' Tobi, his skin-colour has become part of his character, so unless it gets REALLY bad I'll leave him as he is.

 

I think that yellowing is a natural part of the aging process of resin, so I don't consider it to be damage unless the yellowing has been accelerated by leaving the BJD in glaring sunlight for hours at a time or the yellowing is uneven and patchy. In any case, I believe that when you sell a doll you should disclose everything about it, so if your doll has yellowed, you have a duty to tell all potential buyers this.

 

- Do you feel that yellowing is just a natural feature of resin, or does it constitute a damaged doll? Is yellowing a sign of a well-loved doll, or is it a defect that signifies improper care?
I think it depends. If you go outside a lot with your dolls in the sunlight then technically it would be damaged by the sun. But... you also have to remember that like humans, dolls get old... and somtimes they yellow naturally but luckily it can be fixed.

- When does yellowing cross the line between "acceptable" and "unacceptable"?
I think it crosses the lines with a doll is popcorn yellow ( which I have seen ) anything thats before that is fine to me.

- Would you buy a very yellowed doll? If so, would you try to "fix" it? Why or why not?
I don't think a yellowed doll would be my first option but I would buy one as long as I knew I was capable with fixing it, if I wasn't I wouldn't bother buying it.

To be fair, I don't mind yellowed dolls but if a doll is extremely popcorn colored yellow... it kinda ticks me off to see the neglegence.

 

I am relatively new to the BJD world and have always heard of the yellowing issue. So far my dolls have retained their original color. One of the reasons I fell in love with BJDs was the super white skintones which is so different than your traditional dolls. I would be upset if they yellowed, but understand now that this can happen naturally. I have recently noticed that the white part of one set of Eyeco eyes I had in a Planetdoll had yellowed. Didn't notice it until I changed them for another pair, but have learned that these eyes are partly made of resin.

 

- Do you feel that yellowing is just a natural feature of resin, or does it constitute a damaged doll? Is yellowing a sign of a well-loved doll, or is it a defect that signifies improper care?

At the end of the day, it's a well loved and well played with doll. In severe cases, I would say improper care (like, is the yellowing much worse than it should be for the doll of its age). While I like to be informed when buying a second hand doll if it's yellowed, I also don't consider that to be "damage". I play with my dolls outside. Zero tends to sit in the bay window since that's where I have room for him. They're yellowed. And if anything, with their original resin colours, it's just mellowed them out and made them look more "natural".

- When does yellowing cross the line between "acceptable" and "unacceptable"?

When, as I said before, it's much worse than it should be for the dolls age and original resin colour. Like, as if the doll was left outside for days on end. My guideline? I have bad eyes, so if I can tell it's been yellowed when I'm not in contact with it every day, it's probably too much.
- Would you buy a very yellowed doll? If so, would you try to "fix" it? Why or why not?

Depends on how much I wanted the doll. I don't exactly know how to "fix" yellowing, so more than likely I'd sit and wait for said mold to come up again instead of opening a can of worms like that for myself.

 

- Do you feel that yellowing is just a natural feature of resin, or does it constitute a damaged doll? Is yellowing a sign of a well-loved doll, or is it a defect that signifies improper care?
It is indeed natural, as any other material deteriorates with age, and is not a sign of a well-loved doll. Nevertheless, there's always a yellowing level that constitutes aging, and everything avobe means an improper care for the doll. This limit, however, is something very personal.

- When does yellowing cross the line between "acceptable" and "unacceptable"?
This line exists, but it is very different and varies from person to person. To me acceptable is yellowing that to my eyes means age and not improper care, but it depends on the company and actual age wether this is one shade or another.

- Would you buy a very yellowed doll? If so, would you try to "fix" it? Why or why not?
Yes, it is a very interesting project. Although, if given the choice, I would buy a non-yellowed one (or a less yellowed one).

 

- Do you feel that yellowing is just a natural feature of resin, or does it constitute a damaged doll? Is yellowing a sign of a well-loved doll, or is it a defect that signifies improper care?

I don't think anyone can deny that it happens naturally. It doesn't indicate how well 'loved' a doll is, merely how old it is. A very yellow doll may have been played with a lot and carried around with it's owner, or it might just have been stored in bad conditions. I've only just realised how much my 2005 WS doll has yellowed, because I bought a new doll in the same skin type. I don't love my old doll any less for it, and indeed her colour is a pretty ivory and quite natural looking, but I do wish my old and new dolls matched better.

- When does yellowing cross the line between "acceptable" and "unacceptable"?

Uneven yellowing is unacceptable, whether it is due to the company's resin or poor care by the owner. I like buying dolls from companies that have been around long enough that we know how their resin ages.

- Would you buy a very yellowed doll? If so, would you try to "fix" it? Why or why not?

Only if I wanted a rescue project, and it would have to be a work of love for that particular sculpt.

 

Yellowing is just a part of the ageing process of resin and as such, it is not a defect. Since I like to leave my dolls out, most of the paler ones have yellowed and it doesn't bother me. It is really only noticeable if they are wearing white or are next to a newer doll.

If I were selling a doll, I would definitely indicate if she has yellowed as that is something that I think some buyers may want to know. I've found that most sellers will indicate the degree of yellowing, if any, in their sales threads. If there is no mention of it, I usually won't ask about it.

 

- Do you feel that yellowing is just a natural feature of resin, or does it constitute a damaged doll? Is yellowing a sign of a well-loved doll, or is it a defect that signifies improper care?

For me it's not a defect if it's good distributed on the doll (every part excepted joints), and for me it's just the sign that the dolls are an integral part of the house, not sleeping in the box.

- When does yellowing cross the line between "acceptable" and "unacceptable"?

It's acceptable when every part are yellowing for me. I would'nt to have a doll with yellow hands but not the arms because of his clothes.

- Would you buy a very yellowed doll? If so, would you try to "fix" it? Why or why not?

Depending the price...

 

I absolutely love yellowing. the whole going green scares me, but I love Yellowing! I can't wait for my RS Mei, Kane to yellow up into a more natural color

 

I would love my bjds yellow or not nd would gladly buy a yellowed doll.

 

Yellowing is totally natural.
I only see it as a negative thing if a seller doesn't tell the condition of the yellowing to the buyer.
Uneven yellowing makes me sad though.

 

- Do you feel that yellowing is just a natural feature of resin, or does it constitute a damaged doll? Is yellowing a sign of a well-loved doll, or is it a defect that signifies improper care?
Yellowing does seem to be natural and inevitable, and I don't necessarily consider it to be a sign of neglect unless a doll has been deliberately or accidentally left in the sun or in a hot area for too long. My oldest Volks doll from 2005 is significantly yellower than a brand new 2011 one, but I certainly don't consider him to be neglected. He is well-loved, and I am not afraid to play with him and take him out. But he does not sit in the sun for hours.

- When does yellowing cross the line between "acceptable" and "unacceptable"?
That's up to the potential owner. I would consider it to be acceptable as long as it is fairly even. If a doll is partially yellowed, I wouldn't mind as long as the contrast wasn't too great between the yellowed areas and the non-yellowed areas. I'm happier if the head is on the correct company's body, even if one part is a little more yellowed than the other.

- Would you buy a very yellowed doll? If so, would you try to "fix" it? Why or why not?
I did, and I have tried to fix it. I purchased a DollZone Wing Elf who was patchily yellowed, because he was an excellent buy and I needed his body. (The seller disclosed his yellowing in the sale.) When he arrived, I could only see the yellow under certain types of light. I took him apart, cleaned him, and lightly wet-sanded the yellow areas, and it helped immensely to even out the resin tone. I was so happy with how he turned out that I didn't use him as a body donor after all, but got him a faceup instead, and now he is his own man. His color is not objectionable at all. He actually used to be normal-pink, but overall he is so mellowed that he's not a bad match for DZ normal-yellow now. I would totally buy another yellowed doll, if I wanted it bad enough. I enjoyed rescuing a doll that no one wanted, making him into a great new guy that I really like.

Linda S.
galatia9

 

Do you feel that yellowing is just a natural feature of resin, or does it constitute a damaged doll?
Different resin ages differently, so you can have this "damage" on a doll after half a year or just after two years. It's a damage for me, if it's showing in spots and not regulary over the body. Also when it's changing the colour to something really ugly in that case (f.e green on a natural skin body).
Is yellowing a sign of a well-loved doll, or is it a defect that signifies improper care?
Since different resin yellows differently, I can only make out improper care by looking at possible areas where the doll wore clothes. If those areas show signs of pale and yellowed resin, I can guess it's because of too much light or heat and that's improper care for me.
When does yellowing cross the line between "acceptable" and "unacceptable"?
When the doll's colour changed to something really ugly and can't be repaired.
Would you buy a very yellowed doll? If so, would you try to "fix" it? Why or why not?
I'm not quite sure. That would depend on the yellowing and also on the price. I've seen some yellowed dolls where the owner still wanted a lot of money for. I wouldn't buy that doll then, since I really don't know if I could repair it myself.

 

- Do you feel that yellowing is just a natural feature of resin, or does it constitute a damaged doll? Is yellowing a sign of a well-loved doll, or is it a defect that signifies improper care?

Yes it is a natural feature of resin, though the degree of yellowing is arguable. Even yellowing i'd say is well loved. If you can tell exactly what kind of outfit it had on by the tan lines, i think thats a bit more of a defect.

- When does yellowing cross the line between "acceptable" and "unacceptable"?

A nice creamy even yellowing is fine. For me, if it looks like it's been rolling around in dandelions it's unacceptable. And as mentioned above, a "tan line" effect is not acceptable for me.

- Would you buy a very yellowed doll? If so, would you try to "fix" it? Why or why not?

No. Simply put I don't buy dolls with the intention of doing a massive restore job to them (though i have admired and been amazed at some restores people have done). That's why I prefer ordering brand new dolls. Also reversing an extremely yellowed doll can be difficult and results can vary.
So if the doll was yellowed beyond making a significant difference i'd have wasted my money.

 

- Do you feel that yellowing is just a natural feature of resin, or does it constitute a damaged doll? Is yellowing a sign of a well-loved doll, or is it a defect that signifies improper care?

I think it's natural. Even dolls that never see the light of day will yellow. Its sad but part of the hobby.

- When does yellowing cross the line between "acceptable" and "unacceptable"?

Evenly and as long as it's yellow and not green LOL

- Would you buy a very yellowed doll? If so, would you try to "fix" it? Why or why not?
I don't think yellowed resin can be fix. It can be covered up with paint and blush but never really "fixed".

 

I don't see yellowing as a negative thing. I personally don't care for white dolls but I do like the way a white skin doll looks once they have yellowed a bit. In my opinion it gives them a nice cream color. My resinsoul Ai/Dan hybrid has yellowed over time and I find that I much prefer her slightly yellowed skin tone over the ghostly white she had arrived as.
so all in all I don't view yellowing as damage to a doll. Like many have already stated it's a natural thing that happens to resin over time.

 

- Do you feel that yellowing is just a natural feature of resin, or does it constitute a damaged doll? Is yellowing a sign of a well-loved doll, or is it a defect that signifies improper care?
I see it as more of a natural feature of resin. There isn't much you can do to completely prevent yellowing. Although, someone could be careless and give the doll improper care...(leaving the doll in plain sunlight, having the doll in a smoking environment, ect.)
But also, yellowing can show sign of a well-loved doll. They could yellow evenly, and with some UV cut MSC, yellow a little less. Yellowing just happens over time.c:

- When does yellowing cross the line between "acceptable" and "unacceptable"?
For me, I guess it would be living a horror story of having a tan doll that turns green.O____o Otherwise, I have no problem with a little color change.

- Would you buy a very yellowed doll? If so, would you try to "fix" it? Why or why not?
So long as the doll was not sickly Spongebob yellow or really unevenly yellow. It really depends on the color of the overall yellowing and how /bad/ the yellowing really was. (And if the doll was a mold I really loved). But, I would prefer a doll without /drastic/ or extremely severe yellowing.
If the color wasn't quite what I desired and I was sure I could "fix" it, then sure. Why not spruce the doll up and make them look a little more new?

 

My Opinions.
Do you feel that yellowing is just a natural feature of resin, or does it constitute a damaged doll? Is yellowing a sign of a well-loved doll, or is it a defect that signifies improper care?
Its natural to me, but I'm still going to ask for a cheaper price.
When does yellowing cross the line between "acceptable" and "unacceptable"?
If its an unnatural banana or lemon yellow, anything that hurts my eyes.
Would you buy a very yellowed doll? If so, would you try to "fix" it? Why or why not?
If its a mold I like I'd buy it, I don't think I'd try and fix it if it was a manageable yellow. If it was a banana or lemon yellow I'd probably not buy it to begin with, or dye/paint it.

 

With some white dolls I think it looks nice, but I don't have white dolls...

I have some natural resins that are mellowed, I have some that I've fixed but some I like how they yellowed since it's even or matches a head better (I have hybrids)

If they're BRIGHT yellow or uneven then it's valued less, but I would buy a yellowed mold (if it was priced right) and fix it. Fixing yellowing isn't that hard if you use a mixture of chemicals in a bath