A nice long soaking

[FrankWakefield]

My recollection is different. I think they soak just fine.

That card looks good to me. But I suspect the slabbers will reconsider those top corners, and their wrinkles; so that even if the dirt detaches after a soak, the grade might stay the same, or even go down. Possibly.

[autograf]

I've soaked TONS of cards.........but primarily to remove foreign objects. I've never seen a noticeable change in the coloring or dirtiness (is that a word?) of the card. I guess if you use something other than water or distilled water, you could see a difference and have some dirt removed buy my primary success has been in removing cards from albums. If they're nice when they went in, they'll usually come out nice. If they were crappy or dirty, they generally look like that after they come off the page. I've heard of people soaking in the Bestine solution but I've never tried that.............

[53Browns]

Thanks very much for the input fellas, I think I will leave the card as is.

[glchen]

How about this card here? Can I clean the dirt off if I crack and soak for a couple of days?

[Tcards-Please]

But dirt appears to be the least of the concern

In my opinion, I would leave it as is.

r/
Frank

Originally Posted by glchen

How about this card here? Can I clean the dirt off if I crack and soak for a couple of days?

[Jaybird]

Originally Posted by glchen

How about this card here? Can I clean the dirt off if I crack and soak for a couple of days?

looks like an accident waiting to happen. Leave it in the holder or it will fall apart with a stiff breeze!

I'd be afraid to soak that card for fear of doing more damage.

[71buc]

I decided to take a leap of faith with this soaking process. I have owned this rather dirty/stained Diamond Star for a couple of decades. I never had the courage to try this before yesterday. I submerged the card in luke warm water for 30 minutes and pressed it for 24 hours as suggested. The image on the left is the cleaned version and the one on the right is pre-drowning. Although the cleaned version looks brighter I'n not sure it is necessarily an improvement. There appears to be some color loss on the bottom left of the card. I'n not sure if that is a result of the soaking or was revealed by the soaking. Nonetheless, this is my last attempt at this.

[iggyman]

I prefer the post-soaked Lombardi card (the one on the left). Despite the tiny specks of paper loss, it comes across as having better eye appeal. It would easily add $5 to $10 dollars to my bid!

Lovely Day...

[DICKTOWLE]

I have enjoyed reading the stories about soaking, since this is my business "GONE WITH THE STAIN" FOR 17 YEARS, I Would like to comment, soaking can be a accident waiting to happen, you can soak and get card crap off, but can you remove the heavy glue without ripping the card or creating a even bigger stain. This fine gentleman who worked of the " Ernie" card, pressing will not work, the card looks like a pancake, to help him if he needs this- put the card in luke warm water- for about 5 minutes,let the card swell, paper will raise, and leave it alone. If anybody wants to work on paper, at least call me so I can help them with water,my solvents- not water- remove dirt, it relaxes even paper wrinkles and removes heavy glue. I have done many albums for collectors,dealers with great results-- and even clean the dirt also. Let me know if I can help any chat 54 member-- and yes many chat 54 members have used my service, but again,this is free advice to help--- 315 375 8542 I am waiting on the Edwards auction to help the winner on the jackson glued in--that is my wish. Thank you all very much.