How do you use a black light to detect card alterations?

BaltimoreYankee · July 13, 2012 9:23AM

I am considering sending in some 1971 Topps (regular and Greatest Moments) to PSA for encapsulation. I have heard that you can use a black light to detect if the cards have been recolored.

A couple of questions: Where can I get a black light? What is the approximate cost? and....will it be obvoius upon using it if a card is altered?

Thanks!

bking · July 13, 2012 10:04AM

<< I am considering sending in some 1971 Topps (regular and Greatest Moments) to PSA for encapsulation. I have heard that you can use a black light to detect if the cards have been recolored.

A couple of questions: Where can I get a black light? What is the approximate cost? and....will it be obvoius upon using it if a card is altered?

Thanks! >>

You can get a handheld one at any pet store. they sell them for urine detection. ANy 71's that have been recolored should be easy to spot - the black will show an entirely different shade than the card under black light

jmmiller777 · July 13, 2012 10:21AM

And I would think that any part of the card that has recently been trimmed will give off a brighter hue. The whiter the card; the more brillant the reflection of light. This is my guess.

MiniDuff · July 13, 2012 11:20AM

it is hard to miss and actually pretty cool. the spots jump out at you

Nathaniel1960 · July 13, 2012 11:53AM

<< You can get a handheld one at any pet store. they sell them for urine detection. >>

If I had a dime for everytime someone brought up pet urine detectors on this forum.....

BaltimoreYankee · July 14, 2012 1:09AM

Thanks guys. Looks like I can grab one at PetsMart for like $20.

yanyak5 · July 14, 2012 1:47AM

Go to Walmart.. You can buy a single black light bulb for $10 and place it in a lamp u already have. Cheap and easy. GL

Dboneesq · July 14, 2012 2:03AM

<< Thanks guys. Looks like I can grab one at PetsMart for like $20. >>

Check these out on eBay first!

otwcards · July 14, 2012 2:25AM

<< You can get a handheld one at any pet store. they sell them for urine detection. >>

Just remember, if someone has relieved themselves on the stack of '71s, you may get a false positive and you'll be pizzed, too.

cuse · July 14, 2012 3:48AM

You can also look at the cards profile ( i.e. flat). If someone colors the top of the card with a marker , you will see bleeding from the top down. There should be no color on the sides of the card when looking at the card's flat profile.

BaltimoreYankee · July 14, 2012 3:56AM

Doug - Thanks for the heads up. Looks like I can get one through eBay for $10 or less with free S/H.

Dboneesq · July 14, 2012 6:26AM

Daniel ... I'm sure if you do other Blacklight searches you will find many others at cheap prices.

jeff8877 · July 14, 2012 8:19AM

Daniel...PM sent.

Jeff

BaltimoreYankee · July 28, 2012 4:47AM

OK, so I bought a black light through eBay for like 10 bucks. I am using it on a '71 card that I know is recolored and cant really see any noticable difference with the blacklight (I'm using it in a dark room). Is there a certain trick/technique to this?

llafoe · July 28, 2012 4:55AM

<< OK, so I bought a black light through eBay for like 10 bucks. I am using it on a '71 card that I know is recolored and cant really see any noticable difference with the blacklight (I'm using it in a dark room). Is there a certain trick/technique to this? >>

Take a black marker to a junk '71 and observe...

How do you use a black light to detect card alterations?

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