A Cautionary Tale - Water and removing gunk.

[bobbyw8469]

I have read with great interest the various threads of people removing "gunk" on their cards with distilled water. I don't have many cards with "gunk" on them, but let me say my horror stories with them. I have tried to remove gunk on cards with simple water and nylon rubbing with disastrous results. Ironically, both are these cards are from 1933. Maybe I should have left well enough alone. If I had allowed the gunk to stay, would these cards have been no better than 1's??

[conor912]

Yes, its noticeable, but i wouldn’t say they’re ruined. I have only ever heard of the nylon trick solely for dry removal of wax buildup. I would Personally never ever rub the surface of a card with anything with water introduced.

[thatkidfromjerrymaguire]

I think maybe it’s a skill you have to practice with. I tried soaking a couple of commons (a 1933 Goudey and a 1952 Bowman) to try and remove some gunk and brighten their appearance. They both definitely looked worse after I soaked them (I think I was too aggressive on the gunk removal process).

I know there are people on here that swear by that process, but I think I’ll just leave it to the experts

[bobbyw8469]

Originally Posted by thatkidfromjerrymaguire

I think maybe it’s a skill you have to practice with. I tried soaking a couple of commons (a 1933 Goudey and a 1952 Bowman) to try and remove some gunk and brighten their appearance. They both definitely looked worse after I soaked them (I think I was too aggressive on the gunk removal process).

I know there are people on here that swear by that process, but I think I’ll just leave it to the experts

I'm with you John. I guess I still have a lot to learn about the hobby.

[x2drich2000]

Originally Posted by conor912

Yes, its noticeable, but i wouldn’t say they’re ruined. I have only ever heard of the nylon trick solely for dry removal of wax buildup. I would Personally never ever rub the surface of a card with anything with water introduced.

Ditto, I would think water would raise the paper fibers and the nylon would then act like sand paper removing those fibers (along with the ink). Water can be good if you just need to get something loose like paper that is glued on.

[toppcat]

Originally Posted by conor912

Yes, its noticeable, but i wouldn’t say they’re ruined. I have only ever heard of the nylon trick solely for dry removal of wax buildup. I would Personally never ever rub the surface of a card with anything with water introduced.

I find plain white paper towels will remove wax from a card front with ease.

[bobbyw8469]

Originally Posted by toppcat

I find plain white paper towels will remove wax from a card front with ease.

That's not really wax. That's gunk. An unknown substance.

[Shoeless Moe]

Tony Gunk?

[brob28]

I have found that Goudey's don't soak as well as other cards such as T-206's. I've had good results removing paper and glue from past scrapbook adhesion, but not much else.

[todeen]

I have read in another thread some people use mineral spirits. What is that used for?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

[conor912]

Originally Posted by todeen

I have read in another thread some people use mineral spirits. What is that used for?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

Mineral spirits, as well as acetone, paint thinner, gasoline, etc, will all break down adhesives that aren’t water soluble. They’re used for cleaning oil based paints, glues, etc.

[steve B]

Originally Posted by todeen

I have read in another thread some people use mineral spirits. What is that used for?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

I wouldn't use mineral spirits. The inks used in lithography are oil based, and mineral spirits (Or any other oil based solvent) may dissolve them.
There will always be exceptions, some inks may have a hardening oil as the base, but unless you know for sure it's a coin toss on losing some of the ink.

To me that also crosses the line into altering.

[steve B]

The cards that soak well, like T206s are almost always on coated stock.
The paper is a group of assorted fibers, with some sizing, which could be as simple as starch, or could be some other more adhesive like substance.

If having the colors come out brighter an a bit shiny is desirable, the paper is coated with a claylike substance on one or both sides.

If you've got water soluble stuff on the coated side, it will generally come off easily with water, as the hardened surface is sort of like pottery but thin enough to be flexible. If like many have it's developed microscopic cracks, fine gunk will soak into the fibers in the cracks and probably won't come out. (And to me it's both questionable AND way too much work to try.)

T206 backs are not coated, and it's much harder to remove gunk from the backs. *

As others have said, Goudeys are a sandwich of some pretty rough cardstock for the back and most of the card, with a layer of regular uncoated paper on the front. Gunk will be difficult to get off, and damage is almost guaranteed.

*The even better news is that I believe T206s are on a high rag content stock that's nearly acid free. Unlike many strip cards they'll probably be with us for a very long time.

[Leon]

Good info in this thread. I have soaked a few cards with good results. Patting them with wet paper tissue can get some scrapbook crud off. I still think that soaking discolors white areas a tiny bit on most cards. Makes them a shade darker...not a lot but a little. That's my experience anyway and most times it still beats the alternative.

.