Cover and/or Page cleaning Question.

[gary_crites-migration]

I know that povertyrow said in a post a while back:

"Wet cleaning entails immersing the cover in a suitable bath."

- - - but I haven't read any specific chemicals.

 

My question is - What is used for the "wet cleaning"? Calcium Hydroxide? Chloramine-T?, or something else??

[THE_BEYONDER]

Go push your "chemicals" somewhere else.

 

I'll stick with Wonderbread if you don't mind.

[gary_crites-migration]

I'm really not "pushing" any chemicals. As a matter of fact, when I get an answer to my "wet cleaning" question, I will need to go purchase the chemical(s).

I just have a bunch of old Golds that look pretty bad, dirty covers that should be white, etc., etc.

 

I have read the virtues of Wonderbread, but I know the pros use a chemical bath when necessary. I just doubt it is "liquid" Wonderbread.

[PovertyRow]

All I will say about this is that chemical cleanings are geared towards various stain types, with different processes for different type stains. Some processes do not require chemicals.

[buttock]

Napthalene. You can buy it at Home Depot.

[PovertyRow]

Napthalene. You can buy it at Home Depot.

 

Are you confusing Napthalene with Naptha? As has been discussed, Naptha can be used (with great care to its flammable and toxic nature) to remove those yellow transfer stains. Napthalene is initially a solid used in manufacture of mothballs but it is soluble in acetone, alcohol, benzene and ether. It is nasty stuff.

[PovertyRow]

I'm really not "pushing" any chemicals. As a matter of fact, when I get an answer to my "wet cleaning" question, I will need to go purchase the chemical(s).

 

Please don't. Unless you have some background in restoration the best you should do is dry cleaning. And it is not just a matter of selecting the right chemicals. It is also a matter of REMOVING the chemicals still impregnating the paper once the cleaning is finished. And of having had experience enough to realize that some papers/inks from different genres/companies are going to react differently. Unfortunately there is no quick and easy way to do wet cleaning. There is only a quick and easy way to destroy your books.

[aardvark88]

Also after an aqueous wash & press, the outer dimensions of the covers may stretch. Then u have to pull out your exacto knife & play doctor to freshen up the edges or chipping. Not nice.

[PovertyRow]

Also after an aqueous wash & press, the outer dimensions of the covers may stretch. Then u have to pull out your exacto knife & play doctor to freshen up the edges or chipping. Not nice.

 

Not nice at all. A well and proper aqueous wash should NOT generate a stretch. Even with such a simple chemical as water, the proper procedures must be followed to avoid such a travesty!

 

Well said!

[OldGuy]

Also after an aqueous wash & press, the outer dimensions of the covers may stretch. Then u have to pull out your exacto knife & play doctor to freshen up the edges or chipping. Not nice.

 

Not nice at all. A well and proper aqueous wash should NOT generate a stretch. Even with such a simple chemical as water, the proper procedures must be followed to avoid such a travesty!

 

Well said!

 

Nice? Calling Dr. Nice. Nice? Is Dr. Nice in the house?

[buttock]

Napthalene. You can buy it at Home Depot.

 

Are you confusing Napthalene with Naptha? As has been discussed, Naptha can be used (with great care to its flammable and toxic nature) to remove those yellow transfer stains. Napthalene is initially a solid used in manufacture of mothballs but it is soluble in acetone, alcohol, benzene and ether. It is nasty stuff.

 

Oops, you're right.

[gary_crites-migration]

Thanks.

 

I'm just not having any luck dry cleaning a particular Silver Age book, as well as several Gold's. The Silver book (X-Men #1) has a white cover and is REALLY dirty. I have tried a couple of dry cleaning methods (cleaning pad) and even the Wonderbread method with no results.