OK, Newb here so pardon me if the question seems stupid. I am looking at starting my first reborn and was wondering if it is possible to heat set paint properly with a heat gun instead of an oven. I have seen guns for sale just for this purpose but I am unsure if they are really up to the job. I have also read that you should use a dedicated oven for heat setting which is the only reason I would even be considering a heat gun since it is significantly less expensive. Thoughts/advice greatly appreciated

Heat guns are great for spot curing small areas but I definitely don't recommend it for curing the entire baby. I use my regular home oven to cure my paints but I clean my oven before I use it for food.

Turkey roasters could be used carefully to heat set paint, also. The rage right now is the halogen oven(which I'm getting one for Christmas). Lots of options. I definitely do NOT recommend a convection oven. I melted a kit in one and felt horrible since it wasn't my kit.

Hmmm like a Nuwave oven? Which one are you looking at getting?

I am getting the NuWave!!

I only use my heat gun for spot curing......I use a large convection oven with a thermometer. But I am getting a halogen oven soon.

Well, Becky, some ovens may be better for one person over another. I believe once you calibrate the halogen oven to what works, don't mess with it and it will be just fine. I used a convection oven once, and won't ever use another one. I do know that besides melting the vinyl, using the heat gun can leave the vinyl very shiny as there is no control to degree used. I"ll add a poll.

I have to say that I would not recommend the heat gun for curing the entire doll , I tried the heat gun and DID NOT like it! So I won't even use it for spot curing. I have recently purchased a nuwave halogen oven and I LOVE IT! I bought this particular brand because a lot of the ladies reviews on them here were very good. When I first got the oven I was VERY NERVOUS about using it but once I figured out what setting was best for mine I have had NO PROBLEMS at all. My nuwave is set at level 6 for 9 minutes and it cures the paint perfectly on the doll kit (I always test to make sure it's cure though after each layer) It's wonderful knowing I won't melt a kit although I do still watch my kit while in the oven just because I am cautious like that.

Thanks so much for the advice, I really appreciate it. You guys are great!

I have been using a heat gun for over a decade and I would not consider even using an oven. The guns when used correctly dry the bubs and drying one part at a time allows you to correct any mistakes as you are working very closely with each piece.

Heat guns are also highly recommended by Genesis and I think the reasons people don't like to use the guns is the fact you really have to work each piece of the doll and their is a skill to using a heat gun. Shine is common on any doll if it is over heated even in an oven or the drying process is started before the paint has at least air dried (still has flash) Ovens are great for drying the entire doll at once but many of the kits are still made so they are toxic when they are heated and the drying should be done in an well ventilated area.

Most artists today use ovens because they are easier and they take less time than a heat gun but yes heat guns do dry the paint and they are okay to use instead of an oven.

cheers Andama