Removing ink from vintage photo

[Duluth Eskimo]

Pec 12 is a professional product and should not damage the photo itself. Made for a glossy surface. The only worries for me would be if there was a crack in the gloss of the photo. Even then, I wouldn’t be that worried. Spray pec 12 on a non abrasive item like a soft cloth or q-tip and lightly wipe away. If the ink does not come off or start to break down, it’s probably not coming off.

[ephus]

I have been thinking about this type of thing for a while and wondering how to get a blue sharpie inscription (circa 1990's) off a 1912 photo. It really detracts from the image.
Do you think a product like PEC-12 would work ?
It was done with a sharpie so I don't anticipate the pressure point being left behind like that of a pen.

Also, if I cleaned other parts of the photo with the PEC-12, would some see that as a no-no (negative) and consider it defacing or restoration ?

Thanks in advance for the thoughts.

[Michael B]

Originally Posted by ephus

I have been thinking about this type of thing for a while and wondering how to get a blue sharpie inscription (circa 1990's) off a 1912 photo. It really detracts from the image.
Do you think a product like PEC-12 would work ?
It was done with a sharpie so I don't anticipate the pressure point being left behind like that of a pen.

Also, if I cleaned other parts of the photo with the PEC-12, would some see that as a no-no (negative) and consider it defacing or restoration ?

Thanks in advance for the thoughts.

If the photo is glossy it should not damage it. It was designed for photographers to clean their photos and negatives. Cleaning the surface of a glossy photo is not altering the photo any more than washing alters a car. I just ran out and have some on order or I would show examples, but have done it many times. As I mentioned, it works on glossy photos, I have never tried it on a matte photo nor would I. If you are going to use it you would spray it on a soft cloth or cotton swab. I only spray it on the photo if I am trying to remove a lot of dirt or all of the sharpie and I still do it very sparingly.

[Exhibitman]

There was a product called a PEC Pad that was made for use with the spray. Non abrasive.