Here's the process for permanent TPE tanning.
Overview: if you've ever stained woodwork, you'll see this works kind of the same. You'll be spraying a liberal coat of stain, letting it penetrate for a specified time, then wiping away the excess. Then repeating for *likely* 3-4 coats. But unlike working with wood, you'll be spraying a leg makeup product onto a sexy soft TPE product wearing a bikini or clothing of choice. Much more enjoyable.
Note: If you're nervous about using this process on an expensive doll, try an inexpensive TPE product 1st (like that little bouncing betty ass toy. They’re cheap and all TPE seems to tan the same). And by the way, no guarantees offered here!!! This is experiemental work that appears to generate the desired results. But I'm not liable for anybody screwing something up.
Materials Needed:
4 spray cans of Sally Hansen Airbrush Tan Leg Makeup – Deep Glow.
Cloth rags, Wash Bucket, Dawn dish soap, Clorox bleach.
Mineral Spirits, cotton swabs & pads.
Disposable Clothing: like a tight bikini top & bottom, or panties & bra, etc.
Hints on clothing--how to choose:
* Look for anything that, if worn at the beach all the time, would leave HOT tanlines.
* Mismatched pieces are fine -- only look at the shapes of the straps, cups & parts. Get the tanlines you want.
* You’ll throw away the set when done, so buy a 2nd if you really like.
* You’ll be spray-painting the clothing while it’s on the doll.
* Clothing with 2 layers of material works better than really thin.
* Thicker strap lines are easier to work with than thin/spaghetti straps.
* A classic V-shape at the crotch works well.
* To snug up loose straps & bands, fold excess material over itself and staple, stitch or hem-tape together.
* Clothing should fit the doll snugly.
Procedure:
Clean doll thoroughly. Soap/Water, Mineral spirits, whatever, and clean painter’s rags help too.
Dress the doll in its bikini.
Either stand up or lay doll face-up on a protected surface (newspapers, red construction paper, etc.)
Spray an even coat of Deep Glow on all surfaces of the doll. If the doll must be rotated/rolled to reach all surfaces, and if you can do so without disturbing the previous coat, do so now. Otherwise skip to next step.
Allow spray to penetrate for approx 48 hours. Note: The coating will NOT be dry even after 48 hours! You must remove the excess as follows.
After 48 hrs, carefully remove the clothing. Wash it ASAP in a bucket of soapy water and 10% bleach (DON'T stain a white washing machine!).
Hang the clothing to air-dry, if possible (avoid the dryer too).
Move on to the doll. Carefully wipe away the excess spray coating with rags and warm soapy water. Wipe AWAY from any NOT-tanned areas.
Go Slow - CAREFUL is the word. Don't even THINK of grazing skin that is NOT to be tanned. (Mistakes happen, fixing them just takes time.)
Rinse out the rag after EVERY wipe. Change to new rags frequently.
The bucket water will start turning brown. Change it before it gets too gross. Change it again when it seems like the end is near.
Once you can wipe and rinse, and the bucket water stays clean? You're done.
Only your permanent ‘tanlines’ will remain on the doll.
Wait a day, then repeat the process: dress doll in that same clean-and-dry bikini, re-spray in same manner.
The TPE will darken with each additional coat. Expect to do 3-4 coats total.
Oopsies:
It's gonna happen: some tan coating will stray into NOT-tanned skin areas. Luckily you can easily fix the prob with mineral spirits.
Just remember - mineral spirits are safe and effective at removing errant tanning product, but it can look ugly if not used right. ie: don't wipe mineral spirits right up tight to a tanline! It'll create a hard-edged line that doesn't match the feathered-spray edge. And those feathered spray edges are what make the tanlines very realistic. You'll figure it out. I used Q-tips, cotton pads, rags and even a paintbrush once to remove errant marks. Then I got better at avoiding them in the 1st place.
Friends, if you use this technique plz post your results! I want it to work and available to all, not just some company that'll start selling pre-tanlined dolls.
Have Fun and good luck.
THE END 
