A nice long soaking

[mdschulze]

I've got a t206 with old tape residue on the top and bottom. The card is stained but not sticky at all. Will soaking this card help remove the tape stain? Thanks for everyone's input... interesting thread!

[milkit1]

lets see more before and after photos!!!

[FrankWakefield]

Mike, can you post a "before" scan of the T206 with the tape ? Then I'll offer an answer.

[brob28]

Guys, thanks for the warnings on the 61 Topps card. You caught me in time, I'll "play" with something else. BTW - just curious if most on the forum would be upset if they bought a card and later found out it had been soaked? It seems most are not overly concerned with soaking, but we all might be just thinking from the perspective that we are soaking our own cards for our personal use.

[FrankWakefield]

Some folks would be outraged if they knowingly bought a soaked card, they perceive it to be altering the card. Many of the nice slabbed old cards have been soaked. Some of the righteous folks are in denial about that. They refuse to believe it, or just don't want to... To most, soaking (in water) isn't a problem. I think it's ok, I think a potential buyer who asks should be told the truth... In my view it is no big deal.

[mdschulze]

Originally Posted by FrankWakefield

Mike, can you post a "before" scan of the T206 with the tape ? Then I'll offer an answer.

Thanks Frank for reviewing!

[FrankWakefield]

I think if you soak that in water the discoloring will diminish very slightly. It won't hurt anything, give it an overnight try...


What would cause some of that old tape adhesive to dissolve and release a bit would be a non-polar solvent. Back up there 105 degrees is mentioned as the angle on the hydrogen atoms. I think 107 to 107.5 is closer to correct. 107 is what I'd recalled from years ago... Anyway, that angle puts water in as a polar solvent. Lighter fluid would be non-polar. It would dissolve that tape residue a bit, but not completely. It would also leave its own residue, and a smell. I don't advocate its use. Carbon tet, which was available when I was a kid, was a good non-polar solvent, too good... it isn't readily available now.

[mdschulze]

A year or so ago I would never imagine soaking a 100 yr old card... after reading various threads on this forum, seeing actual results and getting first hand advice from you guys, I think I'll give this one a shot. Besides, it's not in the best of shape anyway. Thanks again Frank for sharing your knowledge and expertise.... top-notch! Best regards, Mike Schulze

[deken]

Thanks for all of the info. I tried soaking an old T206 that was pasted in a scrapbook and it had a Hindu back. The soaking worked pretty good, but I noticed on one card I did the white borders came out a little darker/"dirty". Not much, but they were definitely not as white as when I put the card in. Any suggestions?

Also, is soaking ok on Gold Border cards?