How do You Safely Clean the PSA Holders?

PACOLE99

I'm a newbie to these boards so if this question has been answered many times before, be patient with me.

Is there a foolproof method / product to safely clean the PSA holders, particularly that nasty glue residue left by non-pealable stickers?

In my opinion the condition and cleanliness of the holder contributes to the eye appeal of a PSA graded card. I'm a vintage Topps set collector, meaning I hang onto the cards! Scratches I can't do anything about, but I would very much like to remove the price stickers and glue residue off the cards in my set registry collections. Any wisdom on this topic would be appreciated.

I'd also like to voice a plea to all regular sellers of vintage PSA graded cards. Buy pealable stickers, put the card in a bag first, or best of all don't put any stickers on the holders!

Thanks.

PACOLE99

coachh

Goo Gone has worked well for me.

GATOR5

Googone is great for adhesive and to get them scratches out old fashion turtle wax.

Cheers

ctsoxfan

I agree w/ Goo Gone. Works well, no after effects on the slab, removes any sticker or tape residue easily. I agree with you though - my biggest pet peeve when buying slabs on Ebay is the seller who puts a price sticker right on the slab. Don't do this, please! Use a card sleeve if you must sticker the holder seperately...

N162Collector

A bench grinder usually does the trick for me.

N162

MorrellMan

Here are the trained and certified slab cleaners at work:

jerster

Plastic cleaner will get the scratches out. It was talked about on the boards before. I think its the same stuff that they use on pinball machines. I can't remember the name right now but I bought it on ebay and it does work. Came in a three pack with towels.

yawie99

I use Novus #2 Fine Scratch Remover. Since I'm totally anal about my slabs, the $9.95 bottle's probably saved me $147,500 in reholdering costs.

PACOLE99

Thanks everyone.

Goo gone has a number of votes, I'll look into that. Right now the glue residue is what's driving me nuts. However once all the glue is gone the scratches may be next.

I wish reholdering were less expensive than $5.00 a pop (plus shipping x 2 of course). I'm still trying to reconcile paying to have my 1952 Topps Black Backs reholdered for the Master Set (I missed the meager 3 month window when it was "only" $3.00). I'm finding myself wanting to add a small premium in eBay bidding to Black Backs which are correctly labeled, and that's just not right.

I think I'll avoid the bench grinder for the moment.

jimtb

I think it was virtualized that posted a picture that had slabs floating in his pool. They're waterproof, so they can be cleaned with anything.
Jim

jrdolan

I just use plain old 91% isopropyl alcohol to wipe off that gooey gunk. It works great on most sticker residue. Doesn't help with scratch restoration, though.

jerster

Yep - Novus is the stuff. Get yourself some, son!

Knuckles

I get these little wetnap type things from my dad who works in construction.. They're for cleaning plastic protective eyewear so they work well.. no scratching.

gmoneystyles

Put 'em in the washing machine.

Check out Bruce Morelands site on this

Brunn8505

@gmoneystyles said:
Put 'em in the washing machine.

Check out Bruce Morelands site on this

lol

MCMLVTopps

I've used WD-40 for many years to clean holders. Spray a little on a paper towel, rub where needed, wipe with clean paper towel. I have found this to also restore scratches. DO NOT SPRAY DIRECTLY ON HOLDER
Be careful with old holders, it will take the white right off.

jay0791

Make sure its goo gone.
There is a product called goo b gone I think.
It looks similar but will melt the plastic.

mariner

Goo Gone (the only product that I trust) is good for removing sticky residue and price stickers. I use Novus Fine Scratch Remover for any minor scratches on the holder.

PaulMaul

Meguiar’s Plast-X works very well also….