Opinions on Soaking/Pressing

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Posted By: Tom Boblitt

about 600-700 baseball and non-sports cards from an album and I'd agree with basically everything above. I usually used about 10-20 sheets of white copy paper as a couple didn't soak up enough of the water. I'd pat them dry with a dish towel or something. The bottom line about soaking is it is entirely up to the type of glue that was used. If the flour type glue was used, it is relatively easy. If the dark-colored horse-type glue was used, you don't want to try it anyway cause they look like hell....

I pulled (10) N162's out of there, two of which were baseball, both of which now reside in someone else's collection in SGC70 EX+ holders. Also about 60-70 Old Judges that had been skinned but not trimmed and a S.F. Hess Newsboy. Definitely be careful of cards like OJ's if they have not been skinned as the upper albumen photo layer may soak away from the actual cardboard layer.

The advice about the back still having some glue on it is a good one. Be sure all the adhesive is worked off. You might use a q-tip to help this process. Also the advice about patience is a good one. I am not a patient person and the cards that turned out the worst from the ones I soaked were the ones I hurried on.

I understand that some of the same process have been used to remove wrinkles from a card. I have not tried that but I can see how softening the paper up and then pressing it could achieve those effects.