Soaking 101

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Pics?

[philliesfan]

When placing the damp card in a book, how about using waxed paper on both sides of the card to prevent the card from sticking to the book pages. Just a thought.
Robert

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by philliesfan

When placing the damp card in a book, how about using waxed paper on both sides of the card to prevent the card from sticking to the book pages. Just a thought.
Robert

As soon as I take the card out of the water I place the wet card between paper towels to get the majority of water off the card.

Then I put down 2 layers of paper towel then the card(s) then 2 more paper towels and then put a book on top of that. I use 2 sets of paper towels and change them out twice a day till cards are totally dry.

I have never had any problems drying cards this way.

EDIT: I use Kleenex Viva paper towels because they are thick and smooth.

[Kzoo]

Originally Posted by bnorth

I use Kleenex Viva paper towels because they are thick and smooth.

Me, too. They work great. I fold them twice, slide the card inside and put it between two wooden cutting boards with a 5 lb. weight on top. I change the paper towel after 15 minutes, then half an hour, then a couple hours, etc. I've had great luck.
Matt

[icollectDCsports]

I've never soaked cards, but some years back I restored a program whose pages had stuck together because of moisture exposure. Before attempting to soak the program, I got advice from a document preservation / restoration expert, who suggested using Pellon fabric to put in between the pages after soaking and while drying. Pellon is a white fabric that is fairly rigid and has a bit of a slick feel to it. It's often used to provide structure to portions of garments, such as in a shirt collar. I had mediocre results, mainly because the thin paper stock was difficult to keep intact when pulling apart the pages. However, I mention the Pellon for folks who engage in card soaking as a suggestion. Whether it would be any better than the paper towels, I don't know, but the main advantage I think is that the Pellon would not tend to stick to the card as it was drying. Anyway, hope this is helpful to someone.

[Runscott]

When I pull the card out of the water, after rubbing off residue, I always dry it with typing paper. I use typing paper because it is flatter than a paper towel or anything else. Place the card on a piece of typing paper, then place another piece on top of the card, hold it in place and rub your fingers over the top of the paper - nothing moves except your finger. Keep changing the paper until the last piece is not absorbing noticeable water. Then take a clean sheet and place the card on one side and fold the other side over the card, then place the paper and card in a book that you don't care much about, because water will seep through the paper as it dries, and warp the pages of the book. Then pile on more books - lots of them.

Anyway, that's what I do.

[1880nonsports]

a few times in the past - I tamped them dry on paper towels - placed them between a few sheets of typing paper - and pressed them with heavy weights. I changed the paper fequently in the begining - first time after about 20 minutes and less frequently after that until the paper shows as dry. YOU MUST CONTINUE TO PRESS THE CARDS FOR A NUMBER OF DAYS - as much as TWO weeks - as moisture you may not see or feel embedded in the card board will eventually cause the card to warp or curl as it dries if you don't do so. BE CAREFUL when handling wet paper - creases and tears easily - invisible wrinkles will dry as visible ones.
If using a moistening technique rather than soaking - the bond between the card and the object adhered to it can be tenuous or tightly bound depending on the advhesive and/or storage. An excess of caution should be excercised when the surfaces are wet - as abraisions especially on card surfaces that aren't of the glossy nature - will easily occur.

[Runscott]

If you dry them sufficiently prior to pressing, you don't need to press them for more than a couple of days. I've been doing this for over ten years and never left cards under the books for more than two days.