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Why aren’t slabs more resistant to scratching/cracking/breaking?
The title says it all. Grading companies have improved visuals, apps, etc, but the slab material hasn’t improved. I have seen stories of slabs being damaged over the years, while I cracked a slab once by accidentally dropping it on a table :o
The only exception is Beckett. You could survived Armageddon by building a bunker of Beckett slabs :D |
...to increase their odds of your wanting to resubmit for more profit because of some scratches that won't buff out? They don't see it as a problem that needs fixing.
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Do some people use those grading bag sleeves those plastic Mylar bags that go around their slabs to protect them still? I always thought that was a good idea. Some people are just careless with the way they handle their slabs.
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because that would cost them $$$$$$$...and they only want to make $$$$$.
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That is why we need a slab to protect the slab we are using to protect the slab that is protecting the slab that is protecting the original slab that contains our precious card.
Or you could just order your own higher grade PSA slabs made to exact specifications from one of many suppliers in China.;) |
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I use them still for the few slabs I do have. I’ve seen some slabs scratched to hell. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
There are sleeves for slabs. Most AHs send the slabs in those sleeves. I used to discard the sleeves but now I keep the slabs in the sleeves but it makes for sloppy storage.
now say this 5x quickly - slabbers sleeving slabs sloppily |
There are only a few materials that are clear, inexpensive, easily formed, and light.
All of them are somewhat easily scratched. |
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I have all my graded cards in sleeves. And I'm going to tell you the best sleeve company available (I have no relationship with them) is called "Superior Fit Innovations", based out of British Columbia. Check out their website in the link, I can firmly attest that they are great!
"Superior Fit Innovations" https://www.superiorfitsleeves.com |
I feel like this same argument could be made for modern vehicle headlights. [emoji16]
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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PSA and SGC use Crystal Polystyrene, it's inexpensive and not very durable.
Beckett uses (or at least used to)Poly Carbonate, more expensive but its super durable in comparison. |
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It's pretty easy to remove scratches from a slab using some polish. Although I don't know how the purists would feel about that? Probably a big no-no! Might get your name and pics posted somewhere with the word "FRAUDSTER" plastered next to it!
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I would love to know how you found that out? I've made some brief attempts at it, but figured it would be closely held as a trade secret so I didn't put much effort into it. |
Kinda off topic but how close are we to being able to easily 3D print our own PSA slabs at home? I know nothing about 3D printing so curious.
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If the slab is simply scratched (or needs cleaning) and isn't a complete disaster the Novus 3 Step process will improve the aesthetics considerably. https://novuspolish.com/products/2-o...tic-polish-kit |
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Beat me to it.
It's not simple, and 3d printing at the hobby/homeowner level isn't fast, but it does do some amazing things. |
This stuff is fantastic for cleaning light scratches and sometimes worse out of slabs:
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...b8c3620e16.jpg As to the question on the whole, I don't think it's so much that the graders don't use durable materials, it's just that people are careless as hell with their slabs. Easily one of my hobby pet peeves, when I buy something that looks good in the pic on eBay, but then a week later the slab arrives looking like someone used it as a cutting board in their kitchen. Invest in some Superior Fit sleeves, people. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
I was in plastics...
And this statement is partially correct
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Are you guys talking about applying chemicals to a slab? Is that altering the slab? Isn't that a bad thing? That's a chemical being applied to the plastic that houses the card - NOOOOOO!!!! :mad: Hey, I'm just kidding!!!:p:p:p:p:p:p:p |
Novus
This is what I use.
As for why the plastics aren't more scratch-proof? The answer to these type questions is usually "money". Quote:
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So you have access to an FTIR machine? Lots of questions out there that could be answered. The stamp guys are using xrf and sometimes one other, But the sample area isn't usually big enough to get info without having to wreck an already damaged stamp as a reference (Like to have the data for the paper so it can be backed out of the overall stamp leaving the spectrum for the ink.) |
1. Crack card out of slab.
2. Throw away slab. 3. No more scratches on slab. 4. Enjoy card. That's my method, though I acknowledge it's not for everyone. Otherwise, I agree Meguiars is good on slabs, I also use that for refinishing guitars. |
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Like "the plates wore out too fast because the pigment was rust" Xref says..... no iron present. And by the way brown, red brown and dark brown are chemically identical..... I wouldn't mind seeing that sort of thing applied to maybe brown/black Lenox, or Blue Old mill. I can make some guesses about the paper composition, but things were weird back around 1910. Lots of technology changes both in papers and inks. |
I don't care that they scratch or break.
I just want them to be made with a UV blocker.... |
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Many of the magnetic cases (UltraPro, ProMold) do have UV protection and that is good, but you can always see at least a light film on the cases and junk sometimes from that if you hold them in a certain light. Again my guess is that PSA, et al. haven't found a way yet to make that suit their budget. The plastic that UltraPro uses is slightly thicker and would seem to be of better quality. |
Polycarbonate blocks essentially all UV we would be concerned with.
Polystyrene blocks about 98% So both are effective UV blocking materials. Even toploaders block some UV, although the older ones are readily damaged by it they do protect the contents. |
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