Barbie Heads & Necks

Oldest style of neck knob







newer styles

When I was a kid, people switched Barbie
heads around all the time.

It was easy.  You just pulled her head off
and popped another on.  You will find
some heads are cracked in the area that goes
on the neck.  It probably wasn't the best method.

If you try to pop the head off a newer Barbie,
the little post may break, leaving you with a naked
doll rattle and a head.  Whoopie!

Somewhere, when I googled it, I found the instructions for changing the heads on these newer bodies.  When I had removed their heads, the instructions became obvious.

Heat the head.  Sometimes your own hand is warm
enough.  I also used my heat gun from my crafting stuff.  A hair dryer would work.  Some suggest the oven or hot water.  If using a hair dryer or heat gun
PROTECT THE HAIR!
I fried the hair, fortunately it was on the body donor.
Leaving the bottom part sticking out, wrap the head & hair in something like a small towel.

When the head is softer, the trick is to stretch the plastic over the different stages of the gizmo.

Tilting the head forward, stretch the neck up over the
first part of the neck knob.  It will not be completely free.

If the head is soft, you may be able to feel or see
the 'spur' of the gizmo through her 'skin.'

The first side will come out a little hard.

then the head will slide right off


UNLESS

it has the extra piece on top.

That will require a bit more 
manipulation.

OK?

Oh, yes, the spur thingies may be
cut off to accommodate heads.
This was necessary when I used
a liv body for a Mattel head,
as in yesterday's post.