Advice on cleaning editing marks on silver gelatin photos

[koufax1fan]

Hello:
I have used a cotton ball or swab, it works very nicely in removing most crop marks.
Phil

[Exhibitman]

Pec-12 and the company's wipes are made for it. If the white stuff is water based you could also try a Q-Tip (well, many, many of them) dipped in distilled water. I did this photo of Kid Kaplan (HOF):

Before:



After:

[thecatspajamas]

Distilled water and Q-tips. Most editor's paint is water soluble, and as long as you don't wet the gelatin base to the point that it gets "gummy" you should be okay. Better to remove some, let it dry, then remove some more than to push your luck with doing it all in one go. Q-tips work well for delivering the water, and you can kind of twirl them slowly to lift up the paint once it's wet. Don't skimp on the Q-tips, and don't be afraid to take your time doing it in multiple passes one small area at a time.

Also, if this is your first attempt, pick up a couple of crappy photos with similar paint on them and practice. There's no need to get your feet wet with a nice photo as your first attempt.

[T206Jim]

Thanks guys, that was just the kind of advice I was looking for.

[bgar3]

I agree on the Q tips etc, great advice. However, before you do, make a quick search to see if you can find what this particular cropping was used for. It seems unusual to have his name on his hat and the image may have been used for something pretty nice. Worse case is you find it, make a copy, then get rid of the paint if you still want to. Anyway, worth considering I think.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by bgar3

I agree on the Q tips etc, great advice. However, before you do, make a quick search to see if you can find what this particular cropping was used for. It seems unusual to have his name on his hat and the image may have been used for something pretty nice. Worse case is you find it, make a copy, then get rid of the paint if you still want to. Anyway, worth considering I think.

Reminds me of when I tried to erase, a later authenticated, Chief Myers autograph from this. (not mine any longer). The card is not light on the photo, where the signature is, as that is the scan doing that. It is a tiny bit lighter but not close to that much. In retrospect, I am glad I didn't keep trying to erase it....

[Bestdj777]

Originally Posted by Leon

Reminds me of when I tried to erase, a later authenticated, Chief Myers autograph from this. (not mine any longer). The card is not light on the photo, where the signature is, as that is the scan doing that. It is a tiny bit lighter but not close to that much. In retrospect, I am glad I didn't keep trying to erase it....

It would have looked better without, so I don't blame you Curious as to how someone came to the conclusion that was his signature if you know?