finger prints and baseball cards: Anything we should do about them?

DeutscherGeist

As a coin collector too, fingerprints on coins are a real problem. If the print is recent, an acetone bath fixes the problem without damage to the coin. It is discourage to wipe the coin with cloth, even eye glass cloth cause some collectors to cringe. Older finger prints cannot be removed with an acetone bath, therefore value get lower.

What a problem to worry about. Baseball cards have smooth surfaces, so they are prone to prints as well. Eventually, fingerprints burn through the card (its a slow process mind you, but not to ignore). How about using the same material that one would use to clean eye glass lens with to wipe the card a bit before submitting to PSA or even putting them in our sleeves and card protectors? I think this method is safe for topps cards, but using them on Fleer Ultra or Topps Stadium club type glossy surfaces, I would be a little hesitant. This is what commons are for--to practice on.

PSA does deduct for surface scratches, so has anyone cleaned their cards without any problems getting it graded?

I hate worrying about this topic as it is anal retentive in many ways, but we must address it nonetheless. Whenever I have some cards to put into sleeves, I get out my surgical gloves. I use them when I am doing car repairs (to avoid oil, brake fluid, anti-freeze and other toxic chemicals), so why not in this hobby too.

Billa

I have had scores of cards that in simple terms were dirty. I was very hesitant of using any type cleaner on them. However, I did find that if you take a soft paper towel, and with a few drops of water to make the paper towel a "little" damp, and a few gentle strokes, the dirt comes right off clean as a whistle without leaving any effect whatsover on the card. I've never used it on cards with coatings but have used it on old Topps and Bowman cards. I was shocked as to how well it took the dirt off the cards.

dontippet

Pantyhose does a great job on gum stains, and may work for fingerprints too.

Don

Billa

Hey, remember when Mr. Mint was selling his stain remover through full page ads in SCD and then everyone jumped on him that his cards were not really Mr. Mint anymore and he quit. Can you still buy the stuff?

Fuzz

Eventually, fingerprints burn through the card (its a slow process mind you, but not to ignore). "Text

OK I'll bite on this one. I also collect coins and am well aware of the mark/damage that a could print can cause over time. But cardboard ?? How come of the 1800's cards that I have seen and on those that I own/owned, I have never seen this as an issue at any level at all?
If it takes more than 100 years to show up, which it might I guess, I don't care.
I think you are worring to much. Get PSA to slab them and let them assume the "grade liability" in the future.
Fuzz