[#ZELEX Tip] Ultimate Nipple Hardening Guide: Keep ZELEX Nipples Firm

These last few months I've been doing some remedial work on my Zelex dolls. In brief, I'm rather happy with the results. I also decided that instead of being lazy, I'd write some of this up for the Zelex factory - because hey! - wouldn't it be great to show them some of what I've been up to? And for other "hobby crafters" like myself who might find the following useful, maybe you'd like to have a go yourself? And then there's the photos, for people who just love great tits.

Alright! Here we go.

Doll Analysis: Inspiration 170C v1

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Inspiration 170C v1 - Masterpiece in Texturing

First let me preface everything I'm about to write by saying that this doll is an absolute masterpiece in skin texturing. The skin is exquisite in look and feel. This alone was worth the purchase.

Actual Height 165cm (5'5") barefoot

With Shoes 167cm (5'6")

Bra Size (EU) 70E (E-cup)

Weight Dressed ~41.2kg (~91lbs)

Thus, she is quite comparable to the Zelex SLE 165D, which I also own in both v1 and v2, but she is far higher detail and more realistically proportioned and sculped. To me, the SLE dolls have the style of "stylized realism", drawing upon the imaginary characters from comics and video games; whereas Inspiration dolls are more "hyperrealistic", "more real than real", like high-resolution photography. I'm a big fan of both lines.

The SLE 171C (which is a real C) and 172E (which is a real E) dolls are noticably taller and their skin is more "leathery" to the touch. I think this makes them better as "fun" dolls for actually playing with most of the time, and the Inspiration might be better for "special occasions" as she needs more care.

Common Injuries & Remedies

⚠️ Nipple Fraying & Detachment

She suffered her nipples falling off. Kind of. I'd asked the factory (after receiving the initial factory photos) to change her nipple colour, and I sent some high resolution photo references for the artist to work from. Unfortunately, this work came off with wear-and-tear as a layer that clearly hadn't bonded properly with the skin beneath.

✅ Successful Repair Method

Using a similar process that I used on the nipples, which I shall detail below, I also repaired and reinforced all of these vaginal injuries, including restoring and permanently setting the colour. In short - all damage fixed, area restored, reinforced, looking like new. All except for the thigh scar, which maybe I'll keep. It's actually kind of cool. (As an aside, the number of photo models I've seen with significant scars on their legs, presumably from accidents, makes my doll's scar that much more fascinating.)

The Repair Process

Understanding "Nipple Fray"

"Nipple fray" is a common feature of Zelex dolls. My SLE 165D v1 and 172E v1 both suffered "nipple fraying". Eye shadow, which is a powder first applied by brush, then smudged and winnowed with tissue, q-tips or fingers, is easy to manipulate on doll skin. Typically you will apply too much and winnow it back to the effect you want, and if you need a complete reset, some baby oil and tissue will completely remove all traces of the powder. (winnow: "to get rid of something unwanted or surplus")

Permanent Setting with Silicone Glue

Once you have the effect you want, which should be inspected under harsh light to double and triple-check, the powder can be permanently set using the silicone glue, which takes the form of a clear gel. This can be applied in small beads of ~2mm, and smeared over the surface to be cured using a fine spatula and/or your little finger.

Tool Tip: I use a stainless steel ear-cleaning scraper that I have repurposed for 3D modelling work. While you can use your little finger, with the advantage there in that you have a tactile sense of what is going on, you will need to clean the glue off your skin immediately and you will waste more of the glue this way.

Edge Treatment & Finishing

While applying the glue to seal the area, it is particularly important to pay attention to the edge. The edge should be carefully brushed from the outside of the edge inward to ensure a smooth gradient from skin to nipple. If this is not done, you may leave a ridge, which spells disaster.

It is also not necessary to use your finger to achieve a perfectly smooth surface finish, as it's possible (and recommended) to apply pressure with a piece of tissue paper to the entire area being sealed after ~10 minutes of initial drying.

Final Curing & Multi-Layering

After a full day of drying, this layer will be tightly bound to the skin and permanent, resisting even extreme twisting and rubbing. The surface should be carefully rubbed with some tissue, and separately, by fingers: first to matt the surface texture and reduce/eliminate gloss, and second to ensure proper skin pliability and gauge the current level of "hardness".

It is possible - and recommended - to repeat this layering process at least once more, with corrective pigment if necessary, to build up a really durable and attractive nipple. By adding only very fine layers in this way, the nipple will not become unrealistically hard, and indeed it will become even more realistic to the touch by taking on a "cold nipple" feeling.

Materials & Tools

Nyx eye shadow palettes (other brands available, I'm sure)
Eye shadow brushes
(French) Cleopatre Sili-Glue, 3D silicone glue (other brands available, I'm sure)
Stainless steel spatula (actually an ear scraper from a set of 6)
Tub of q-tips, used for makeup

A cute pack of tissues. Multi-purpose.

(Italian) Borotalco, talc powder. It smells like lemon and flowers. A pleasantly-scented talc for powdering once you're done.
Powder dispenser. It blows the powder on with puffs of air.
Missing: a bottle of baby oil, mostly used for cleaning up excess eye shadow. It looks rather boring anyway.

Before & After Results

"Rachael", Inspiration 170C v1 - Repaired Nipples

Rebuilt nipple - front view

Rebuilt nipple - side view

Close-up detail

Texture under light

Overall breast appearance

"Sofia", SLE 165D v1 - Unrepaired Fraying

Typical nipple fraying

Close-up of damage

Edge deterioration

"Lara Croft", SLE 172E - After Repair

Post-repair appearance

Restored coloration

Smooth edge transition

Durability Demonstration

I made a couple of short videos stretching and pulling the nipples about, to show you guys how that looks and works out.

Inspiration 170C v1: ~4-5 layers for color correction, maintaining translucency when stretched

SLE 172E v1: Just 2 layers - repair + sealing, still soft and supple after weeks of use

Final Assessment: Having given them quite a bit of abuse since treatment, I can confidently say that they're virtually bullet-proof and the colour is permanent... clothes rub on them no problem, they can be pulled, twisted and sucked... and if somehow I DO manage to damage them (not likely it seems...), I can do this again.

[#ZELEX Tip] Ultimate Nipple Hardening Guide: Keep ZELEX Nipples Firm and New

Ultimate Nipple Hardening Guide: Keep ZELEX Nipples Firm and New