I used your processes to clean 3 low grade books to improve their color. It worked well and I got a blue label on all of them. Keep up the great videos!
Hi hobby hero, I just want to say thanks for the content. I like CGC unboxing and mystery box videos as much as the next guy, but your restoration and cpr videos are the best I’ve seen. Super entertaining stuff. The amount of work it takes to make this tedious process into a snappy and coherent narrative is no easy trick. I’ve tried to find similar videos and I find them nearly unwatchable. Also, I’ve read a million times about foxxing, tanning, staining being unfixable, and it’s delightful to watch that being proven wrong. Thanks again, can’t wait for the next one.
Thank you so much for the praise. I had done a lot with stain removal prior to these processes but it was hard to control and produce regular results. They were also very risky. These processes were much safer and produced great, repeatable results. Complete game changer for comic book collectors. Got me excited for all my old “well loved” books.
I always get kind of annoyed at the "kiss of death" reaction that people give to purple labels. the fact is the most important documents in the world are cleaned and restored on a regular basis. Because if they didnt they would not survive. And its the same with comics. They WEREN'T meant to last, and we are starting to get to that time when something is going to have to be done with some of them or they are going to be gone. Not right this second, but over the next hundred yrs or so, we are going to see a LOT more restoration on comics because its going to NEED to be done :)
Just found your channel. Going to have to check out your other videos because I’m extremely interested in learning about cleaning comics, removing stains and many other things
Congratulations on the grades. Purple labels happen. Please don’t send the Fantastic Four to the other grading company, send it back to CGC. Heck I soaked my issue in calcium hydroxide and methyl cellulose and received a blue label. I think because it was a low grade it snuck through. Spread the color loss with an eraser, dull it down before resubmitting. Also, to play devils advocate, what do you think hydrogen peroxide does to the covers and pages?
Thanks! You aren’t the only one telling me to resubmit to CGC either so maybe after cracking it open I’ll revisit that. As for the hydrogen peroxide there is no friction involved in the process which would keep it from causing color loss. If you left it in light too long could cause some color fade potentially.
I'm new to your channel and this is the second video that I've seen. This was a nice showing of books and I did see and comment on the video you did of the cleaning of Ghost Rider #1 and now I see it returned with a nice grade. Too bad about that popped staple though. I've had some of my books graded by CGC and they have all been from my collection without a C&P. Just 38 books so far. I've done a few books to start with that were a mess and I figured you gotta start somewhere. The book I'm a bit scared to deal with is my ASM #16. It has spine roll a good amount of stains on the cover and a lot of tiny bits of tape holding parts of the back cover together. I'm not sure if I want to try my hand on that and perhaps a pro would be better able to get a good result. Thanks for posting. Best to all.
My edge of Spider-Verse #2 notes say a loss of gloss bottom left side is there anything I can do for that it's a first print graded a 9.4 ugh so close ty for your content and advice as always.
Thank you! As for reglossing; not that I’m aware of but there could be a method out there I don’t know about. I’ve seen some just buff spots with cotton rounds or unscented tissue paper.
Was it immacuclean that you were using that got you the purple label? And how do they know you cleaned it? Because the book is old that could have happened over the years right
The type of surfactant isn't what caused the damage; it was user error. I wiped when I thought it was sufficiently dry and it was not. It may not be super evident on the video but it is pretty obvious when you see it that it was not worn off but lifted off.
@@hobbyhero6973 it really doesn't look that bad. I mean the color fading. I only asked about that specific product because I use it and I have definitely done worst to some of my early books that I cleaned wen I first started and I haven't got a purple label yet. I went back to that video were you cleaned it and it didn't look noticable
@@jonathanloera6830 I just don’t want anyone going after the seller of the product using my book as some sort of evidence. I could have done it with distilled water too if I wasn’t careful.
@@hobbyhero6973 I've had the same issue, but seemingly only with silver age books (haven't tried golden). Little flecks of color come off if used too aggressively. Haven't had this issue on any books bronze or newer, so perhaps it was the paper during that time. Be gentle with those silvers or just bypass the cleaning solution altogether. :)
@hobbyhero6973 thank you sir. I watched a lot of your videos and I have to say I admire your work. I wish I could pick your brain for like a hour on tricks and tips. One last question, when you need to lighten pages, do you just spray them with a bottle and then it's the blue light treatment, just turn page by page until you've finished the book? I just bought a few new bronze age and am going to start my journey of restoration on my collection after finding your channel. I think I can get them looking well enough to send in for cgc grading. Thank you in advance also, I appreciate you actually responding.
I am confused. At 5:33 you say you are using "natural" chemicals. But then at 10:45 you say you are not using chemicals. Which is it? Are you trying to pass off restored books as not restored to CGC? CGC clearly defines what restoration is on its website. In fact, they specifically point out under the cleaning section that using wet solvants or chemicals to try and whiten and remove stains IS considered restoration. Maybe you didnt know this. It all just comes off kind of dishonest, especially when you say you use chemicals and then later say you don't.
Think I was probably just not very clear in what I was trying to say. I do not use any chemicals not already present in the paper already. I’m pretty open with what I do process wise as several of the books I’ve worked on have pretty thorough walkthroughs on them.
the level of restoration that you do is not good... you are essentially destroying the books... I know I'm going to get a lot of hate for saying that, but long-term effects of those peroxide soakings is damaging.... 20 years from now those pages are going to just fall apart if someone ever takes that book out of the encapsulation
No hate. Always appreciate a different perspective. I am curious why you believe that to be the case though. Hydrogen Peroxide is used throughout the paper production process so it should not be something that would cause degradation over time. While this process has not been used on comics from 20 years ago to test; hydrogen peroxide is used to clean historical texts as well and there is not any evidence showing that when used on those that the paper deteriorates over time. The process is definitely not risk free but the risk should not be from the use of hydrogen peroxide.
@@hobbyhero6973 all paper that is conserved in this manner is rinsed after treatment. This neutralizes the peroxide solution, peroxide changes the pH in paper.
@@waltg1349 the hydrogen peroxide is fairly fragile compound and the light should break the bond just leaving the H2O which the heat should evaporate. There shouldn’t be any remaining H2O2 at all
So which was your favorite project book?
I used your processes to clean 3 low grade books to improve their color. It worked well and I got a blue label on all of them. Keep up the great videos!
Awesome! Glad you’re able to put it to good use.
Hi hobby hero, I just want to say thanks for the content. I like CGC unboxing and mystery box videos as much as the next guy, but your restoration and cpr videos are the best I’ve seen. Super entertaining stuff. The amount of work it takes to make this tedious process into a snappy and coherent narrative is no easy trick. I’ve tried to find similar videos and I find them nearly unwatchable. Also, I’ve read a million times about foxxing, tanning, staining being unfixable, and it’s delightful to watch that being proven wrong. Thanks again, can’t wait for the next one.
Thank you so much for the praise. I had done a lot with stain removal prior to these processes but it was hard to control and produce regular results. They were also very risky. These processes were much safer and produced great, repeatable results. Complete game changer for comic book collectors. Got me excited for all my old “well loved” books.
Those turned out really well. Great video.
Thanks! Yeah I was really happy with the results
As always brotha love your content, thank you for taking out the time to educate us.
Thanks for the kind words
Is there someone you can recommend for cleaning & pressing? Thank you in advance
@@sidneyshaw75 absolutely, hit me up on FB messenger or Instagram
I always get kind of annoyed at the "kiss of death" reaction that people give to purple labels. the fact is the most important documents in the world are cleaned and restored on a regular basis. Because if they didnt they would not survive. And its the same with comics. They WEREN'T meant to last, and we are starting to get to that time when something is going to have to be done with some of them or they are going to be gone. Not right this second, but over the next hundred yrs or so, we are going to see a LOT more restoration on comics because its going to NEED to be done :)
Yeah but the label looks awful lol.
Agreed
Just found your channel.
Going to have to check out your other videos because I’m extremely interested in learning about cleaning comics, removing stains and many other things
Awesome! Glad you found me. It’s a really rewarding pursuit
That Ghost rider looks amazing!
It’s even prettier in person
Congratulations on the grades. Purple labels happen. Please don’t send the Fantastic Four to the other grading company, send it back to CGC. Heck I soaked my issue in calcium hydroxide and methyl cellulose and received a blue label. I think because it was a low grade it snuck through. Spread the color loss with an eraser, dull it down before resubmitting. Also, to play devils advocate, what do you think hydrogen peroxide does to the covers and pages?
Thanks! You aren’t the only one telling me to resubmit to CGC either so maybe after cracking it open I’ll revisit that. As for the hydrogen peroxide there is no friction involved in the process which would keep it from causing color loss. If you left it in light too long could cause some color fade potentially.
Great job on the books! My favorite is Giant-Size Chillers 👍
Those horror books in high grade are pretty cool
I'm new to your channel and this is the second video that I've seen. This was a nice showing of books and I did see and comment on the video you did of the cleaning of Ghost Rider #1 and now I see it returned with a nice grade. Too bad about that popped staple though.
I've had some of my books graded by CGC and they have all been from my collection without a C&P. Just 38 books so far. I've done a few books to start with that were a mess and I figured you gotta start somewhere. The book I'm a bit scared to deal with is my ASM #16. It has spine roll a good amount of stains on the cover and a lot of tiny bits of tape holding parts of the back cover together. I'm not sure if I want to try my hand on that and perhaps a pro would be better able to get a good result. Thanks for posting. Best to all.
Appreciate you checking out the channel! If you have questions on your book feel free to send me some pics on IG or messenger.
@@hobbyhero6973 Thank you for the option. I just might take you up on that.
Love this channel!
Thanks! I love it too! 😆
Great learning video. Thank you
You are very welcome. Thanks for checking it out
Was the surfactant that you used on the FF 67 immacuclean? Great channel BTW...
Thank you. Yes it was more user error than anything. Anytime you are adding moisture to paper you are adding risk
Did you get the book from CBCS? Curious if they flagged the book as well. Please update. Thank you.
I have not sent it yet but another individual who has had some flagged from CGC resubmitted to CBCS and has had them all come back universal
Great Video! 😊- Subbed!
Thank you very much!
First book is nice
Thanks! I’m partial to each of them 😉
New to the channel, do you provide press and clean services or just do it for your collection?
Glad you found me! I do work on books other than my own. You can message me on FB or Instagram if you have additional questions.
My edge of Spider-Verse #2 notes say a loss of gloss bottom left side is there anything I can do for that it's a first print graded a 9.4 ugh so close ty for your content and advice as always.
Thank you! As for reglossing; not that I’m aware of but there could be a method out there I don’t know about. I’ve seen some just buff spots with cotton rounds or unscented tissue paper.
Awesome ty
@@clelandwarrenjr850 no problem. Looked into before and didn’t really find anything that worked for the book I had but every book is different
Was it immacuclean that you were using that got you the purple label? And how do they know you cleaned it? Because the book is old that could have happened over the years right
The type of surfactant isn't what caused the damage; it was user error. I wiped when I thought it was sufficiently dry and it was not. It may not be super evident on the video but it is pretty obvious when you see it that it was not worn off but lifted off.
@@hobbyhero6973 it really doesn't look that bad. I mean the color fading. I only asked about that specific product because I use it and I have definitely done worst to some of my early books that I cleaned wen I first started and I haven't got a purple label yet. I went back to that video were you cleaned it and it didn't look noticable
@@jonathanloera6830 I just don’t want anyone going after the seller of the product using my book as some sort of evidence. I could have done it with distilled water too if I wasn’t careful.
@@hobbyhero6973 I've had the same issue, but seemingly only with silver age books (haven't tried golden). Little flecks of color come off if used too aggressively. Haven't had this issue on any books bronze or newer, so perhaps it was the paper during that time. Be gentle with those silvers or just bypass the cleaning solution altogether. :)
@@michaelcooper9725 yeah I’ve all but stopped using it
Interested to see what cbcs does with the FF
Have several people telling me I should just resubmit to CGC a second time. 🤔
Interested in how cbcs grades the CPR in #66
Will def make another video with the update
I'm sending my comments to you to be cleaned. Right on! Are you on the west coast by chance?
Heh, nope. Southern Indiana.
The more expensive the book, the higher quality of the grader. So they will catch a lot more restorations.
I’ve done much more to higher end books. This particular book I messed up on and was just enough of a tell for them to catch.
Where do you get those wet hydrogen pads from though?
What wet hydrogen pads? The pages?
@hobbyhero6973 correct, or you literally just soak a piece in hydrogen peroxide?... you got me motivated and I'm just trying to be great like you 😁
@@naclteeballz8569 yeah it’s regular copy paper sprayed with Hydrogen Peroxide
@hobbyhero6973 thank you sir. I watched a lot of your videos and I have to say I admire your work. I wish I could pick your brain for like a hour on tricks and tips. One last question, when you need to lighten pages, do you just spray them with a bottle and then it's the blue light treatment, just turn page by page until you've finished the book? I just bought a few new bronze age and am going to start my journey of restoration on my collection after finding your channel. I think I can get them looking well enough to send in for cgc grading. Thank you in advance also, I appreciate you actually responding.
Would you be willing to clean and press a book for someone????
Hobbyherocomics.com 🤫
Purple labels should only be given to books with modern added pieces. Not cleaning
There is quite a bit that could still fall in that purple range but I would agree that removing tide lines and tanning should not
I am confused. At 5:33 you say you are using "natural" chemicals. But then at 10:45 you say you are not using chemicals. Which is it? Are you trying to pass off restored books as not restored to CGC? CGC clearly defines what restoration is on its website. In fact, they specifically point out under the cleaning section that using wet solvants or chemicals to try and whiten and remove stains IS considered restoration. Maybe you didnt know this. It all just comes off kind of dishonest, especially when you say you use chemicals and then later say you don't.
Think I was probably just not very clear in what I was trying to say. I do not use any chemicals not already present in the paper already. I’m pretty open with what I do process wise as several of the books I’ve worked on have pretty thorough walkthroughs on them.
@@hobbyhero6973 Hydrogen Peroxide?
@@Qwiegybow04 yes hydrogen peroxide is what I use in most of my processes
the level of restoration that you do is not good... you are essentially destroying the books... I know I'm going to get a lot of hate for saying that, but long-term effects of those peroxide soakings is damaging.... 20 years from now those pages are going to just fall apart if someone ever takes that book out of the encapsulation
No hate. Always appreciate a different perspective. I am curious why you believe that to be the case though. Hydrogen Peroxide is used throughout the paper production process so it should not be something that would cause degradation over time. While this process has not been used on comics from 20 years ago to test; hydrogen peroxide is used to clean historical texts as well and there is not any evidence showing that when used on those that the paper deteriorates over time. The process is definitely not risk free but the risk should not be from the use of hydrogen peroxide.
@@hobbyhero6973 all paper that is conserved in this manner is rinsed after treatment. This neutralizes the peroxide solution, peroxide changes the pH in paper.
@@waltg1349 the hydrogen peroxide is fairly fragile compound and the light should break the bond just leaving the H2O which the heat should evaporate. There shouldn’t be any remaining H2O2 at all