Redshade Posted July 22 Share Posted July 22 (edited) Does anyone know if the CGC cleaning processors can/will remove price stickers from covers? And how does this affect the grade? And would it be classed as restoration? Thanks. Edited July 22 by Redshade Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shadroch Posted July 23 Share Posted July 23 A capable person can remove stickers, and I don't think it would get a restored label. I don't know if CGC's in-house department can do it. Paul Kosnik and Redshade 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revat Posted July 23 Share Posted July 23 Consider contacting cgc customer service to ask about the specific services that cgc provides Redshade and Paul Kosnik 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirby_Fan Posted July 23 Share Posted July 23 (edited) On 7/22/2024 at 7:09 PM, Redshade said: Does anyone know if the CGC cleaning processors can/will remove price stickers from covers? And how does this affect the grade? And would it be classed as restoration? Thanks. Look at the inside cover directly behind where the sticker is. If the paper directly under the sticker has formed a translucent circle that makes the underlying paper look more like an onionskin, removing the sticker is not a great idea. Even if removed successfully, an ugly circular blemish will mar the cover where the sticker was, the degree of how badly it impacts the attractiveness of the cover relative to how light the affected area is. IMO, a sticker looks far more natural and tolerable than the ugly stain left behind on the paper damaged by the glue and aging if present. Edited July 23 by Kirby_Fan Yorick, Redshade, vheflin and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Kosnik Posted July 25 Share Posted July 25 I do not know if CGC offers sticker removal in-house, but would like to know if you follow up with them so please let us know what you find out. Stickers vary in terms of manufacture and their long-term effects on comics so your outcome may differ depending on the type of sticker and how long it's been on the comic, as well as storage conditions. Some stickers can be removed without any trace at all. I have a video on my youtube channel demonstrating the method i use to remove them: Some stickers will have already had the adhesive penetrate the paper and will leave behind a stain as @Kirby_Fan points out. For me personally i would rather have the stain than the sticker generally, and sticker removal prevents further degradation of the paper by continued migration of adhesive into the paper which ultimately results in yellowing, embrittlement, and destruction of the paper. Sticker removal should not ever result in a restored designation from CGC, unless the material or method used to remove the sticker was poorly applied and itself triggered the restored designation. Scraping, heat, cold, and solvents have all been used to successfully remove stickers and tape from comic book covers without triggering the restored designation from CGC. Good luck! Sauce Dog, Redshade and Yorick 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator CGC Mike Posted July 25 Administrator Share Posted July 25 On 7/22/2024 at 7:09 PM, Redshade said: Does anyone know if the CGC cleaning processors can/will remove price stickers from covers? And how does this affect the grade? And would it be classed as restoration? Thanks. Here is a screenshot from our website that mentions tape removal, I believe that a sticker may fall in this category as well. I recommend asking customer service before submitting. Redshade 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redshade Posted July 25 Author Share Posted July 25 On 7/25/2024 at 12:29 PM, Paul Kosnik said: I do not know if CGC offers sticker removal in-house, but would like to know if you follow up with them so please let us know what you find out. Stickers vary in terms of manufacture and their long-term effects on comics so your outcome may differ depending on the type of sticker and how long it's been on the comic, as well as storage conditions. Some stickers can be removed without any trace at all. I have a video on my youtube channel demonstrating the method i use to remove them: Some stickers will have already had the adhesive penetrate the paper and will leave behind a stain as @Kirby_Fan points out. For me personally i would rather have the stain than the sticker generally, and sticker removal prevents further degradation of the paper by continued migration of adhesive into the paper which ultimately results in yellowing, embrittlement, and destruction of the paper. Sticker removal should not ever result in a restored designation from CGC, unless the material or method used to remove the sticker was poorly applied and itself triggered the restored designation. Scraping, heat, cold, and solvents have all been used to successfully remove stickers and tape from comic book covers without triggering the restored designation from CGC. Good luck! Thank you for this detailed answer. I don't think that weighing up the costs I am going to go down this road. Paul Kosnik 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPark Posted July 25 Share Posted July 25 On 7/22/2024 at 7:09 PM, Redshade said: Does anyone know if the CGC cleaning processors can/will remove price stickers from covers? And how does this affect the grade? And would it be classed as restoration? Thanks. What is the issue you are considering? In rare cases, price stickers are actually desirable... Paul Kosnik 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redshade Posted July 26 Author Share Posted July 26 On 7/26/2024 at 12:20 AM, PeterPark said: What is the issue you are considering? In rare cases, price stickers are actually desirable... I've decide to leave the sticker alone. Thank you for your input. Yorick and Paul Kosnik 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...