gum on cards question.

BackwardsMan

Hey guys,
I got this little problem. I recently bought a box of 1989-90 opc hockey and noticed that the gum attached to the first card wouldn't come off. The sticks are all in one piece. I thought i would ask you fellas if there was any way to remove the gum without hurting the cards?

Thanks

TMc

Basically you are screwed. Gum stains are a biggy when grading. Happens all the time. I did hear of one guy licking the back repeatedly until the ink came off on his tongue. Or you might try gasoline. Or bloody mary mix. Or just straight vodka.

WinPitcher

Try a hair dryer

ctsoxfan

If you carefully pry the gum away, it might break into pieces cleanly...but it will still probably leave a mark on the cards. There are threads here which have described how to remove those gum stains, but in my experience, it is tough to completely remove them on a card you might want to grade.

Stone193

BMan
Here's an idea - do you have a card with gum that is a common? The gum is fused but you are not sure how well - different materials expand and contract at different rates - how about putting the card on a plate and sticking it in the freezer for a while - then bring it out into the warm air - the rate of contraction may "separate" the two things apart - perhaps at this point you can stick a knife under the gum and pop it loose? Just an idea.
Mike

hojodojonono

A microwave might work if you put the card gum side down in between two cups. Then heat it up and the gum might fall off by itself as it softens up. Try a common first or just a plain piece of gum first to make sure its not going to burn.

DirtyHarry

Per Stone, and if you were to ask Martha Stewart when she gets a second, the best way to remove a glob or stick of gum from something is to freeze it. Do not get into the freezer with it though, as you may then replace the gum and the card will be stuck to you

koby

Try the company called Gone with the Stains. I understand that they are very good undetectable improvements.

Gone with the Stains

Vargha

I have hear that a high-powered rifle will remove most traces of the gum.

Putty

Interesting thread, I collect 51 Bowman and I have several examples of PSA 6 and 7 that have gum stains on the back. Initially it does not appear to have hurt the grade of the card, or did it? My question is how much does PSA mark off for gum stains and is it the same for vintage and modern?

cardboardjungle

I had the same problem with a box of 1979 OPC baseball. Of course the Ryan and the Ozzie RC had gum stuck to their fronts.

No joke, a microwave worked for me. I just used a low power (600 watt) oven, 4 seconds at a time, until the gum was soft enough that it came right off. I did practice on a common first. They came out looking great, I got an 8 on the Ozzie, no qualifiers.

Allen

Cut a piece of pantyhose and take a piece and fold it over a few times and rub it over the gum stain. It will come right off with out any paper loss.