A Cautionary Tale - Water and removing gunk.

[todeen]

I have read in another thread some people use mineral spirits. What is that used for?

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[conor912]

Originally Posted by todeen

I have read in another thread some people use mineral spirits. What is that used for?

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Mineral spirits, as well as acetone, paint thinner, gasoline, etc, will all break down adhesives that aren’t water soluble. They’re used for cleaning oil based paints, glues, etc.

[steve B]

Originally Posted by todeen

I have read in another thread some people use mineral spirits. What is that used for?

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I wouldn't use mineral spirits. The inks used in lithography are oil based, and mineral spirits (Or any other oil based solvent) may dissolve them.
There will always be exceptions, some inks may have a hardening oil as the base, but unless you know for sure it's a coin toss on losing some of the ink.

To me that also crosses the line into altering.

[steve B]

The cards that soak well, like T206s are almost always on coated stock.
The paper is a group of assorted fibers, with some sizing, which could be as simple as starch, or could be some other more adhesive like substance.

If having the colors come out brighter an a bit shiny is desirable, the paper is coated with a claylike substance on one or both sides.

If you've got water soluble stuff on the coated side, it will generally come off easily with water, as the hardened surface is sort of like pottery but thin enough to be flexible. If like many have it's developed microscopic cracks, fine gunk will soak into the fibers in the cracks and probably won't come out. (And to me it's both questionable AND way too much work to try.)

T206 backs are not coated, and it's much harder to remove gunk from the backs. *

As others have said, Goudeys are a sandwich of some pretty rough cardstock for the back and most of the card, with a layer of regular uncoated paper on the front. Gunk will be difficult to get off, and damage is almost guaranteed.

*The even better news is that I believe T206s are on a high rag content stock that's nearly acid free. Unlike many strip cards they'll probably be with us for a very long time.

[Leon]

Good info in this thread. I have soaked a few cards with good results. Patting them with wet paper tissue can get some scrapbook crud off. I still think that soaking discolors white areas a tiny bit on most cards. Makes them a shade darker...not a lot but a little. That's my experience anyway and most times it still beats the alternative.

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