How to remove sticky-tabs from photo

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Posted By: Rob

Hi guys,
Any idea how to safely remove the sticky tabs from this Supplement? Thanks for any advice!


Thanks,
Rob

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Posted By: Steve

I bought one from that same collection. If I recall, these had two chemicals, old glue and the adhesive tabs making it more challenging. The black tabs softened and degraded easily.

This worked; One tab at a time and using distilled water (from the dehumidifier in the cellar or $1 @ Walgreens). With a q-tip lightly wet the black tab for a minute or two, NOT the paper (if the newspaper gets too wet it'll tear easily -let it dry then restart). Sand down (emery board) a sharp edge of a credit card and while continually damping the tab and without applying pressure to the print, gently nudge -not scrape, the black tab from the center towards the corner (using the smoothed edge against the print). There will likely be a little adhesive left on the print. I just dabbed a little talc on those spots to keep the paper from sticking to the matte before framing.

Wifee scrapbooks and has some chemicals that won't leave stains or residue on old pictures but will remove most old adhesives. You may want to try some first, UN-DU (both types) which didn't work for this 'restoration' but worked on other old cards. AC Moore carries them.

Rweply with the results and good luck, Steve F

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Posted By: Rob

cool, thanks Steve! I'll give it a try probably next weekend and will let you know how I make out.

Rob

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Posted By: Rob

For anyone that was interested, here is what the Supplement looks like after removal of the tabs. I actually asked my wife to do them, since she's got more patience than I. It was a success IMO. The bottom left corner was the first she worked on, and it shows as some of the paper was lost. She got better as she went on and the top left was the last she worked on and almost looks like there was never anything there. Just the adhesive left behind, like you said Steve. So UN-DO might do the trick? How do I apply and remove?

Thanks again!

Rob

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Posted By: Paul Carek

Oh, sure, she can remove sticky tabs from M101s. But how's her cooking?

(Seriously, interesting piece, Rob. I remember when you first posted it, and enjoyed seeing the results. Thanks.)

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Posted By: JK

Rob,

Glad it worked out for you. Had I had known it would look that good when you finished, I would have put a higher price tag on it