Green Ear?
The cause, and treatment
Dateline: 05/2/99
| "Green Ear" is the plague of vintage Barbie® dolls; the greenish stain that begins at the original site of the dolls earring(s) and spreads outward. The worst cases are very dark green, and have spread well beyond the side of the head, onto the face of the doll. |
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The treatment options outlined below are for use on VINTAGE dolls only; "Mod" era dolls are much more difficult to treat, and should be typically handled by an expert. Undertake any of these treatments at your own risk!
There are three methods commonly used to treat green ear; if you are brave, (and feel certain you won't further damage the doll) pop off the head, as it does aid in the treatment. Be watchful; "neck splits" can occur in an instant. In using any of the treatments outlined below, don't allow the chemical to touch the face paint, or the hair. Minimally poke a bit of cotton, toothpick or dental floss soaked with the chemical you choose to use into the earring hole (where the green ear began; "ground zero") and if you remove the head, swab the inside of the head in the area of the green ear generously as well. Again, be careful of areas where there are face paint on the outside, and try not to get any on the hair on the inside of the head. (That can be very tricky!) Every day apply the product you are using fresh after wiping away the previous days chemical with a cotton ball dipped in distilled water.
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Tarnex |
Remove-zit |
Clearasil or Oxy10 and sunlight |
| You can typically find Tarnex at Wal-Mart and other discount stores, grocery stores, and even "super-drugstores". When using Tarnex, never seal the head; the fumes from the Tarnex in a closed environment will ruin/remove the face paint, and bleach out the hair, causing it to be brittle. Tarnex is preferred by many as it is easy to find. | Twin Pines Remove-zit. Never use Remove-zit on a doll that has been treated with Tarnex, and vice-versa. Many collectors apply the Remove-zit, and then seal the head in a small container, however, this in NOT recommended. Remove-zit is available from Twin Pines | This method is the most controversial. Clearasil or Oxy10 and sunlight does seem to work the fastest - some collectors have reported completely clearing green in less than six weeks by applying the Clearasil or Oxy10 daily and then placing the dolls head directly in the sun for (hopefully) at least 8 to 12 hours. (try a south-facing windowsill; they usually get the most sunlight.) Don't use Clearasil on a doll treated with Oxy10 and vice-versa. |
| When you complete the treatment, you need to remove as much of the chemical as possible. Preferably use more distilled
water - and after removing all the chemical you can *see*, soak the head in a small cup of water for at least 12
hours, changing the water every two hours or so. This (hopefully) helps stop the chemical reaction that you have
started. Last, a good rinse under running water in the sink. You will have to redo the hair (Time to shampoo and set Barbie®!) but just think how great your doll will look! |
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Remember - don't try to treat the green under the hair; even though it is very tempting, you many wind up with a BIG problem if you do. Also, depending on the severity of the green, and the condition of the vinyl sometimes the green will actually just turn brown (anywhere from light brown to dark brown) instead of lightening the green. Occasionally, it will also go too far, and leave the vinyl too light. Watch the treatment carefully every day, and you stand a good chance of making the doll quite "displayable" again!
Good Luck!
Additional reading & resources:
- Stacy's Vintage Specialties
- Must B Vintage
- Krista's Doll Restoration
- ModFreaks MOD World
- Blue Skies Spa
- Polar Bear Doll & Toy ER
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