Why aren’t slabs more resistant to scratching/cracking/breaking?

[parkplace33]

The title says it all. Grading companies have improved visuals, apps, etc, but the slab material hasn’t improved. I have seen stories of slabs being damaged over the years, while I cracked a slab once by accidentally dropping it on a table

The only exception is Beckett. You could survived Armageddon by building a bunker of Beckett slabs

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

...to increase their odds of your wanting to resubmit for more profit because of some scratches that won't buff out? They don't see it as a problem that needs fixing.

[Johnny630]

Do some people use those grading bag sleeves those plastic Mylar bags that go around their slabs to protect them still? I always thought that was a good idea. Some people are just careless with the way they handle their slabs.

[ullmandds]

because that would cost them $$$$$$$...and they only want to make $$$$$.

[bnorth]

That is why we need a slab to protect the slab we are using to protect the slab that is protecting the slab that is protecting the original slab that contains our precious card.

Or you could just order your own higher grade PSA slabs made to exact specifications from one of many suppliers in China.

[Bcwcardz]

Originally Posted by Johnny630

Do some people use those grading bag sleeves those plastic Mylar bags that go around their slabs to protect them still? I always thought that was a good idea. Some people are just careless with the way they handle their slabs.

I use them still for the few slabs I do have. I’ve seen some slabs scratched to hell.


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[Fred]

There are sleeves for slabs. Most AHs send the slabs in those sleeves. I used to discard the sleeves but now I keep the slabs in the sleeves but it makes for sloppy storage.

now say this 5x quickly - slabbers sleeving slabs sloppily

[steve B]

There are only a few materials that are clear, inexpensive, easily formed, and light.

All of them are somewhat easily scratched.

[dealme]

I feel like this same argument could be made for modern vehicle headlights.


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[bnorth]

Originally Posted by dealme

I feel like this same argument could be made for modern vehicle headlights.


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LOL, and why is it almost always just the drivers side headlight?

[GRock]

PSA and SGC use Crystal Polystyrene, it's inexpensive and not very durable.
Beckett uses (or at least used to)Poly Carbonate, more expensive but its super durable in comparison.

[steve B]

Originally Posted by GRock

PSA and SGC use Crystal Polystyrene, it's inexpensive and not very durable.
Beckett uses (or at least used to)Poly Carbonate, more expensive but its super durable in comparison.

I would love to know how you found that out?
I've made some brief attempts at it, but figured it would be closely held as a trade secret so I didn't put much effort into it.

[bnorth]

Kinda off topic but how close are we to being able to easily 3D print our own PSA slabs at home? I know nothing about 3D printing so curious.

[NonSportDaniel]

Originally Posted by steve B

I would love to know how you found that out?
I've made some brief attempts at it, but figured it would be closely held as a trade secret so I didn't put much effort into it.

About two minutes with an FTIR and you would know. Easy peasy.

[jchcollins]

This stuff is fantastic for cleaning light scratches and sometimes worse out of slabs:



As to the question on the whole, I don't think it's so much that the graders don't use durable materials, it's just that people are careless as hell with their slabs. Easily one of my hobby pet peeves, when I buy something that looks good in the pic on eBay, but then a week later the slab arrives looking like someone used it as a cutting board in their kitchen. Invest in some Superior Fit sleeves, people.


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[55koufax]

And this statement is partially correct

PSA and SGC use Crystal Polystyrene, it's inexpensive and not very durable.
Beckett uses (or at least used to)Poly Carbonate, more expensive but its super durable in comparison.

The solution to the original poster's question on how to improve a slab's durability, etc., would be to utilize polycarbonate but with a scratch resistant coating. This is truly an expensive solution, but really the only solution in the manufacturing process to create the most durable clear slab.

[Fred]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Novus Plastic Polish No. 2 works well in my experience. PSA generally easier to clean up than SGC.

Originally Posted by jchcollins

This stuff is fantastic for cleaning light scratches and sometimes worse out of slabs:



As to the question on the whole, I don't think it's so much that the graders don't use durable materials, it's just that people are careless as hell with their slabs. Easily one of my hobby pet peeves, when I buy something that looks good in the pic on eBay, but then a week later the slab arrives looking like someone used it as a cutting board in their kitchen. Invest in some Superior Fit sleeves, people.

Are you guys talking about applying chemicals to a slab? Is that altering the slab? Isn't that a bad thing? That's a chemical being applied to the plastic that houses the card - NOOOOOO!!!!

Hey, I'm just kidding!!!