Need Some Expert Advice - Results of Soaking

[Leon]

Soaking in water isn't what he was talking about. They are/were most likely using some kind of solvent. And I have a problem with that too.

Originally Posted by Snowman

Soaking cards to remove them from a scrapbook is allowed by every single grading company. You're free to dislike the practice, but that's a bit harsh to wish bad on others for doing something that is a widely accepted practice in this hobby.

[Seven]

I find it interesting how on their site, they say that they don't remove ink. Is that new? Because I swore that Towle and his family offered that practice before. Not that I ever used them.

[Buythatcard]

I started this post to get some opinions on how to remove the backing from the cards. Never was it mentioned that I was looking to enhance or alter the cards.

I appreciate the suggestions on how to safely remove the backing using distilled water. I don't see anything wrong with doing that. If the grading companies still grade the card then great.

I will find out tomorrow what the owners want to do with the cards. Some of the options discussed was: Sell the whole sheet as is or cut out each card and soak them individually. I am just hoping they hire me to sell the cards.

I will not send in the sheet to a company that is known to doctor the cards.

As for the person who hoped that the cards would disintegrate if I used this company. Get a life.

[benge610]

Originally Posted by Buythatcard

I started this post to get some opinions on how to remove the backing from the cards. Never was it mentioned that I was looking to enhance or alter the cards.

I appreciate the suggestions on how to safely remove the backing using distilled water. I don't see anything wrong with doing that. If the grading companies still grade the card then great.

I will find out tomorrow what the owners want to do with the cards. Some of the options discussed was: Sell the whole sheet as is or cut out each card and soak them individually. I am just hoping they hire me to sell the cards.

I will not send in the sheet to a company that is known to doctor the cards.

As for the person who hoped that the cards would disintegrate if I used this company. Get a life.

Thank you Howard.
Nicely done.

Ben

"I love baseball history backstory; especially when it involves cards."

[bigfanNY]

Originally Posted by Leon

Soaking in water isn't what he was talking about. They are/were most likely using some kind of solvent. And I have a problem with that too.

I think most here had some chemistry in high school and remember that water is a chemical solution H2O. Why would your opinion change if someone used another chemical solution to remove cards glued to a piece of cardboard?

[swarmee]

As the old saying goes, "Sometimes you've got to break some eggs, when you throw them at people." Is that it? ;-)

Good to see some of my humor went over people's heads. Maybe it will cause them to read more threads about the alteration scandals, despite them already knowing everything.

The difference is that soaking in water is a verified method of PRESERVATION, while using chemicals is not.

[steve B]

Originally Posted by bigfanNY

I think most here had some chemistry in high school and remember that water is a chemical solution H2O. Why would your opinion change if someone used another chemical solution to remove cards glued to a piece of cardboard?

For a few reasons

The inks used are not water soluble, so the water won't affect them, while other solvents might.

Water is part of the process of making the paper itself, and while it can affect the paper, it's fine for many cardstocks if done right. (More based on the sizing used to holf the fibers together and what fibers are used.)

So in general, water won't do damage if used carefully. There isn't enough info to tell if a solvent will, so using them is to be discouraged.

[bigfanNY]

Originally Posted by steve B

For a few reasons

The inks used are not water soluble, so the water won't affect them, while other solvents might.

Water is part of the process of making the paper itself, and while it can affect the paper, it's fine for many cardstocks if done right. (More based on the sizing used to holf the fibers together and what fibers are used.)

So in general, water won't do damage if used carefully. There isn't enough info to tell if a solvent will, so using them is to be discouraged.

Steve people have used a variety of solvents on paper items for centuries there is clearly massive amounts of evidence on how different solvents react with paper and inks paits etc. 3M produced a mountain of research on Toluene and its use in removing tape. ( it is an organic water soluble solution). It is out there if you have a need to read. Paper is often produced with water but there are card stocks that either swell or deteriorate in water. And some that look fine but show effects years later.
My point was there are many glues and papers that over time destory Baseball Cards and Memorabilia. Professionals that use solutions that are more than H2O to preserve and protect cards seem to me a good thing.
When you soak a card and remov it from a scrapbook most would say that is fine. Same card same scrapbook and you smooth out some wrinkles while drying them under presure. Either on purpose or just what happens as part of the process. Is that fine?
For me If I soak a card I will not submit it for grading. And if and when I sell it I tell buyer it was soaked. And I know many other collectors have different views but to me soaking a card is something that should always be disclosed. But a blanket statment that anything other than water to protect and preserve cards is not something I would agree with.
Water has been used to improve the appearance of paper items way more often than other solutions simply because more folks have access to it feel safe using it and have youtube vids on how.

[Buythatcard]

I finally completed this project a few weeks ago.

I ended up saving all 154 cards. I decided to send in 17 cards to SGC and just received them back n the mail today.
I was hoping to get atleast a grade of Authentic due to the glue residue that was left behind. I was pleasantly surprised to receive 14 cards that received a grade of 1 and 3 cards received an Authentic grade.
I sent in 3 Cobbs. Two of the Cobbs were Portrait, Red Backgrounds. One received an Authentic grade due to evidence of trimming and the other one received a 1. In addition, I sent in a T205 Cobb which also received a grade of Authentic due to evidence of coloring.

I have already sold more than half of the Raws on eBay with the rest to be listed over the next week. I will be listing the graded cards starting tonight after 10 PM EST (1 card every other night). The first one will be the Authentic T206 Cobb. Will be listing the one which received a grade of 1 on 1/9/23. All listings will start at 99 cents.
Please do not ask me to sell these cards directly. I will only be selling these via eBay.

[bnorth]

Nice Cobbs, I will be watching for the 2 Red ones.