Soaking E Series

[marcdelpercio]

Jimmy,
I would consider spooning out a crease to be physically altering the card itself, though I wouldn't put it on the same level as trimming, rebuilding or recoloring where something is actually added to or removed from the card. In other words, I'd say it is a "minor" alteration.

Soaking in water does not physically change or manipulate the card but instead only removes foreign substances that were never a part of the card so I don't see this as an alteration to the card at all. I hope that clarifies what I was trying to say.

[chaddurbin]

if you soak then press it, card will be thinner but longer...that's changing the appearance of the card.

it's a slippery road. many people are for soaking, but getting distilled water, the unnatural act of soaking paper into water, then carefully putting card onto wax paper wedged between 18 war and peaces waiting for card to dry out...doesn't sound like a fun or relaxing saturday afternoon for me (when it was a hobby).

but to answer OP, e93/e95 soak well...moreso than e94/e98.

[thekingofclout]

Originally Posted by marcdelpercio

Jimmy,
I would consider spooning out a crease to be physically altering the card itself, though I wouldn't put it on the same level as trimming, rebuilding or recoloring where something is actually added to or removed from the card. In other words, I'd say it is a "minor" alteration.

Soaking in water does not physically change or manipulate the card but instead only removes foreign substances that were never a part of the card so I don't see this as an alteration to the card at all. I hope that clarifies what I was trying to say.

Let me ask you this Marc; What happens to the card once you soak it, if you let it dry without pressing it? Just straight out of the water and lay it on a paper towel. How does the card look after that?

It seems to me that the book pressing is absolutely the same thing as using a spoon to press the card.

Best, Jimmy

[marcdelpercio]

Originally Posted by thekingofclout

Let me ask you this Marc; What happens to the card once you soak it, if you let it dry without pressing it? Just straight out of the water and lay it on a paper towel. How does the card look after that?

It seems to me that the book pressing is absolutely the same thing as using a spoon to press the card.

Best, Jimmy

Jimmy,
I understand what you are saying but I think there is a big difference between pressing a card to the extent that it is widened and/or creases are removed and simply placing it between two books so it dries flat. I have soaked hundreds of cards and dried them between two books. I can honestly say that this has never removed even the lightest wrinkles or creases. If anything, it can sometimes reveal even more surface flaws that may have been somewhat hidden by the other substances on the card. In my experience, all soaking has accomplished was to remove dirt, glue or paste residue, and other foreign debris from the card...which was exactly my goal.

I'm sure there are ways to remove creases from cards. I do not know how to do this, nor would I attempt to if I did. To me, this crosses the line into physically altering the card.

[FrankWakefield]

Seems to me that many of the really nice T206s that folks collect, the really good ones that are slabbed, those cards survived as they did because they went straight into a scrapbook 100 years ago. The cards that the kids played with, that were carried in pockets and grimy hands, those cards are the ones we see today that are well worn. Those really nice slabbed cards were most likely soaked off of a scrapbook page 20 to 30 years ago. That's the reality of it. Even for the sacrosanct who abhor soaking... those guys most likely have soaked cards in those high number slabs.

Wonderfully well, Ed. That's how they'll soak.

[Vol]

My curiosity is peaked. Have never thought about trying it before. When you soak the cards, is it just a mix of water and a little soap?

[Rob D.]

A simple search of the archive using either the word soak or soaking produced, among others, links to these three informative threads:

http://www.net54baseball.com/showthr...highlight=soak

http://www.net54baseball.com/showthr...hlight=soaking

http://www.net54baseball.com/showthr...hlight=soaking

[Vol]

^^ Thanks.