How 2 tell the difference between a Silicone and TPE doll?

KrinoUFD · Post by **KrinoUFD** » Sat Jun 12, 2021 3:24 pm

I have a friend (photographer) who bought a doll cheap and it came in with red skin. I have a TPE doll of my own and am pretty good with repairs and had an idea how to deal with the red skin... however I'm not sure if his doll is Silicone or TPE? Is there an easy way to test?

Are there differences in care between the two substances? I'm assuming that if you oil silicone it doesn't get all sticky like TPE? Sounds like both need powdering though?

justintime · Post by **justintime** » Sat Jun 12, 2021 3:27 pm

If you take a magnet and hold it on the skin it will glow if is TPE. :haha4:

Just kidding
who made the doll ask your friend, of better yet take a photo?

KrinoUFD · Post by **KrinoUFD** » Sat Jun 12, 2021 4:05 pm

[quote="Who made the doll ask your friend, of better yet take a photo?[/quote]

I can certainly ask him but honestly with the condition it was left in after manufacturing I wouldn't trust the source either as to what it's made of. I can get a photo for sure but don't think I have one handy, I'll check.

TBH honestly the main question for me is how/whether the care for the two types of dolls is different. I know mineral oil is a no-no for silicone, and silicone is a no-no for TPE... As long as the cleaning/dusting process is the same (I guess you don't oil silicone after washing)

Post by **Nescio50** » Sat Jun 12, 2021 4:15 pm

For those who have touched silicone and tpe it will be easy, you know it when you touch it.

But an easy non-destructive test ...

As silicone is more expensive, a cheap doll is probably tpe.

Mr Franz · Post by **Mr Franz** » Sat Jun 12, 2021 4:50 pm

Silicone is usually quite shiny, has pronounced seam lines, is not as resilient and a tad harder than TPE. Ok to powder, but don't oil silicone! I doubt what you have is silicone though. As Nes says, typically they don't come cheap unless damaged or worn out.

Gaijin · Post by **Gaijin** » Sat Jun 12, 2021 5:13 pm

justintime wrote:If you take a magnet and hold it on the skin it will glow if is TPE.

That's only if the doll has been vaccinated!

BunnywolfDoll · Post by **BunnywolfDoll** » Thu Jun 17, 2021 8:24 am

TPE absorbs oil Silicone doesn't. Easy.

KrinoUFD · Post by **KrinoUFD** » Fri Jun 25, 2021 6:24 pm

Mr Franz wrote:Silicone is usually quite shiny, has pronounced seam lines, is not as resilient and a tad harder than TPE. Ok to powder, but don't oil silicone! I doubt what you have is silicone though. As Nes says, typically they don't come cheap unless damaged or worn out.

Thanks @Mr Franz and @Nescio50, that makes sense and is super helpful to know... I guess I could also just check the instructions (since the doll is supposedly new)

esquisseallure · Post by **esquisseallure** » Sat Jun 26, 2021 12:50 am

Imo at least from my own personal perspective. It's probably these two aspect without being destructive on the doll.

TPE is almost always softer and with just mild pressure you're finger will sink in quite far, probably a good 2-3 inches easily. Even for soft silicone doll you'll be lucky to get an inch deep due to the firmness.

Second, tpe has much more elasticity. Just pull the fingers or toes and you can easily pull it like 3-5 inches. With silicone, you may get 1 inch.

Hope my silly experience assist your friend.