How I Removed Eye Black from My Super Bowl Barbie Doll

As much as I loved the spirit of the Kansas City Chiefs Barbie Super Bowl Champion doll, I really wanted to showcase her gorgeous Karl face sculpt without the eye black. Since this is one of my favorite modern face molds, I decided to gently remove the paint and share the process with other collectors who might want to do the same.

This limited edition doll is a celebration of football fandom, complete with a sporty jersey, denim capris, and black eye paint—known as eye black—under her eyes, just like real athletes and fans wear on game day. But as much as I loved the doll’s team spirit, I couldn’t help but imagine her in a whole new look. The Karl face sculpt is one of my favorites among recent Barbie molds—soft, expressive, and so photogenic! I wanted to restyle her in different outfits and settings, and the eye black limited her versatility. Someone even told me not to change her, saying the eye black is what gives the doll its value and that no one would want her later. But I didn’t buy her to resell—I bought her because I truly wanted to enjoy her beautiful face, play with her, and restyle her in ways that inspire me. So, I made the decision to carefully remove it. In this post, I’ll walk you through the exact process I used to take off the black paint safely, and share tips based on what I learned along the way.

This wasn’t about cleaning or fixing a flaw. The doll arrived in perfect condition. But for collectors like me who love restyling and photographing their dolls, a little customization goes a long way. I knew that without the painted black smudges, she would look even more elegant and adaptable—perfect for posing in everything from glam dresses to casual looks. And with the Karl face mold, she truly has the potential to be a standout star in any collection.

What I used

To remove the black paint, I used only a few tools:

• 100% pure acetone (no added oils or moisturizers)
• Pointed cotton swabs (precision Q-tips work great)
• A steady hand and a lot of patience
• Optional: a soft cloth and warm water to wipe the area afterward

A Word of Caution Before You Start

Acetone is a powerful solvent. It removes paint quickly, which is helpful—but it also means there’s real risk of damaging your doll if you’re not extremely careful. If acetone touches factory paint, like the eyebrows, lips, or eyelashes, it will remove those too—and there’s no way to get them back without repainting.

So, here’s what I strongly recommend:

• Work slowly and only on the area you want to clean.
• Use minimal acetone—just dampen the tip of the swab, don’t soak it.
• Keep a safe distance from the eyes, brows, and lips.
• Do a small test patch first (I started near the outer corner of the eye black).

Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: I dipped a pointed cotton swab lightly into pure acetone. I made sure it wasn’t dripping.

Step 2: I started by gently rubbing the cotton swab over the edge of the eye black. At first, nothing seemed to happen. But I resisted the urge to scrub or press harder.

Step 3: I kept at it, slowly working in small circles. The black paint didn’t come off easily at all—especially on the first eye. I took my time and stayed extremely cautious to avoid getting too close to her painted features. It took me around 30 minutes or even a little more just to remove the paint from that one side. I was going very slowly, and the eye black was surprisingly stubborn. The second eye, however, came off much more easily and took less time. I’m not sure if it was because I was more confident by then or if the paint on that side was thinner, but it made the second half of the process a lot smoother.

Step 4: Once the black paint was gone, I used a slightly damp cloth with warm water to wipe away any residue.

Note: I ended up using several cotton swabs during the process. The black paint tends to stick to the tip, so I had to switch to fresh ones multiple times to keep the removal precise and avoid accidentally spreading the paint or rubbing too hard. Having extra swabs ready definitely helped me stay in control.

Final Result

The difference was subtle but so satisfying. With the eye black removed, her face looks softer and more neutral, making her perfect for a variety of restyles. I took some photos of her in different outfits, and she now blends beautifully with my other dolls. The Karl face mold really shines without the bold black paint, and I’m so glad I made the effort.

Removing the eye black from my Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl Barbie wasn’t quick or easy. It took more time than I anticipated, and I had to stay focused the entire time to avoid damaging her features. But in the end, the results were worth every minute. She now fits seamlessly into my collection as a restyled beauty, ready for fashion shoots and display changes.

If you’re thinking about customizing your Barbie dolls—whether it’s removing eye black, tattoos, or other painted features—take it slow, use the right tools, and most importantly, be patient. Personalizing them is just one more way to enjoy the hobby.