Is it possible to remove a crease?

jskirwin · August 6, 2005 11:28PM

I'm just curious, but is it possible to remove a crease from a card?

I'm thinking of the surface creases - ones that don' t break through the back.

What is a crease anyway (from the engineering perspective)?

jrdolan · August 7, 2005 12:19AM

I've heard tales of surface wrinkles being removed or reduced through steam pressing, on the same principle as removing wrinkles from your shirt. This would qualify as doctoring in the eyes of many, since it attempts to change the card from the state in which it came out of the pack, or to repair damage it suffered subsequently, so I wouldn't recommend it.

On the other hand, wax on a card's face is also a factory-issued flaw, and most folks don't seem to mind using pantyhose to rub it off. (If you have a wife or girlfriend who enjoys having a baseball card rubbed on her thigh, you're a lucky man and count your blessings!)

As I understand it, a wrinkle is a factory defect in the surface of the card while a crease is actual damage where the card was bent.

WinPitcher · August 7, 2005 12:37AM

If you are succesful and submit the card to PSA and they spot it they will deduct 2 grades in most instances.

The Robby rookie below, bought off ebay from Yorktown sportscards (raw) described as EX/EX/MNT is a perfect example of that. It is also a perfect example of not buying a raw card from dealers that specialize in graded cards too.

Stone193 · August 7, 2005 1:33AM

<< <i>I'm just curious, but is it possible to remove a crease from a card? >>

IMO, no. A crease damages the integrity of the cardboard and is irreversible whereas a surface wrinkle has been removed, as was said, by a combination of applying surface tension and hydration - and as was said - not recommended - unless the card is worth a lot!

mike

CDsNuts · August 7, 2005 2:31AM

I knew a guy back in the 90s who used to take a hexagonal pencil and quickly roll it back and forth over the crease until it "rubbed out". Of course most of the gloss got rubbed off too, but gloss wasn't a big deal in the early 90s. Then he would put the card in a screwdown and lightly scuff the plastic where the crease had been just in case it was detectable. Then he would go to a cardshow and sell it to a dealer. Seemed like too much work to me.

Lee

Onlypsahockey · August 7, 2005 3:14AM

I knew a guy (also in the 90's) who used a drop of warm water and the back of a spoon. First applying the water, letting it sit a few seconds then applying firm pressure to the wrinkle with the back of the spoon. Using the spoon ensured no surface indentations or loss of gloss. I don't know if the process would pass PSA but it did remove minor surface wrinkles. I wouldn't have believed it unless I had seen it with my own eyes.

Note: I've never tried this myself as I personally feel it's doctoring the card. Just as trimming, recoloring or rebuilding corners. They are all fixing imperfections to make the card appear better.

JMO, Bob

Edited: 'Cuz I can't type!

iamthegreatcornholio · August 7, 2005 6:36AM

I've also heard stories of surface wrinkles removed by card doctors and then graded highly by PSA. And a while later, the wrinkle comes back, as if the cardboard has "memory".

Brian

BigtimeBowmanfan · August 7, 2005 7:17AM

Steve,

How do you know that the Jackie had a crease removed ? Is that the spot on the upper right where it appears lighter ?

WinPitcher · August 7, 2005 11:20AM

Yes. the right hand corner has the crease that was 'rolled out".

Steve

softparade · August 7, 2005 12:23PM

<< <i>I knew a guy (also in the 90's) who used a drop of warm water and the back of a spoon. First applying the water, letting it sit a few seconds then applying firm pressure to the wrinkle with the back of the spoon. Using the spoon ensured no surface indentations or loss of gloss. I don't know if the process would pass PSA but it did remove minor surface wrinkles. I wouldn't have believed it unless I had seen it with my own eyes.

Edited: 'Cuz I can't type! >>

I was under the impression that "spooning" had a different meaning

Is it possible to remove a crease?

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