I will say your videos going over this process are the best. It’s one thing reading a book on what to do, completely different to see it put in motion. Thanks!
Love you're videos! They are a big help as I'm getting into the pressing. One question. Will a grading company like cgc consider this restoration or conservation when you use a light box?
Charles, I really enjoy these comic cleaning & pressing videos. They are always informative, and I learn something new each time. I definitely vote for more of these. Great work on the comic by the way. If it were me, I probably wouldn't have the book graded, though. There are some color breaking spine ticks on the back that will bring the grade down. Still, a very nice looking book.
Thanks for the feedback! Always glad to know that people find them interesting and/or helpful. I definitely would lean towards raw as well. Would estimate it around an 8.5-9 at best which does not add much value
Came here to say this exact thing. Corners are a bit soft too. I'd keep it raw - still a lot of demand for this whole run in loved but read high grade.
Your welcome! I wish it made more sense to go into a deeper dive but the one thing I can definitively say about it is that every book is a little different.
Thank you! The refinement of these processes completely changed my stain removal approach and opened up so many more possibilities. I never could have treated a book like this before without large amounts of color loss and risk of paper damage.
Great stuff Charles! I wanted to post that I've been running some BLED tests on both books encased in the CGC holder or in a Mylar storage. BLED will give you the same positive results! I tested a CGC'ed FF #73 F & B and there was a huge whitening difference after 4 BLEDs. I had always been disappointed with the slight tan color of both and now they are sparkling. Another example was a DD #9 back that looks amazing. Thought I'd pass on this good news!
I collect Sports Illustrateds. I have a '56 Mickey Mantle which is the holy grail SI and it has a lot of foxing. Do you do SIs and what would you have charged for exactly what you did to this X Men? Thanks.
Amazing how clean they ended up. I'm new to all this, thinking in rise the grades on my Lobo collection to sell it and maybe do a side job cleaning comics. (Question) What is the difference between the sheet of paper with hydrogen peroxide and the mist with UV light?
Thanks if you are going to start doing it yourself I'd recommend picking up the books in the description. They are where I started and offer a lot of troubleshooting.
First, to answer your pinned question, I've seen much worse foxing on Silver age books. I do like this approach and I've seen your video on the work you did for Ghost Rider #1, of which I own a copy that can use this treatment. After watching this video, I have more confidence to try it though I've not yet done so because I'm missing some crucial hardware, like a heat press! That will be taken care of shortly and I wanted to know what brand do you use. Thank you for posting this tutorial. I am impressed (no pun intended) with the results. Best to all.
Great video! How long you pressing. What temperature? As for another question, my magazine boards tend to get sticky on the top cover( thats when iam doing the regular pressing) . My sandwich looks like (top to bottom) teflon sheet, 2 magazine boards, one under front cover, one in the middle, one at the back cover and then 2 magazines plus last the teflon sheet. 155 degrees , 6 mins, off the press and then leave it to cool down for like 2 hrs. Am I missing something?(ASM 240) Thanks in advance🙂
Thanks! As for time and temp they vary depending on process. As for your stack avoid Teflon as it can cause canvassing in your books. I’d recommend three magazine backers/copy paper/front cover/60lb paper/backer at staples/60 lb paper/back cover/copy paper/three backer boards. If you are using plates the three backer boards can just be one.
How long do you wait between pressing? A full 24 hours? A few hours until it's cool? Remove immediately? I'm trying this method for the first time and your videos have been very helpful!
Hydrogen peroxide soaked paper, does this work on glossy and none glossy old print manuals like user manuals on for sewing machines user manuals that have brown foxing, or would this attack the drawings and writing?
I never knew there was a method to remove foxing. I wish I had known this years ago, but I have many books with foxing that need to be fixed. THANK YOU! Just a few questions: What weight and brightness of printer paper works best for the hydrogen peroxide soaking? How long do you let the paper soak? Do you just hold the paper up and let it quit dripping before putting it on the comic, or do you pat it dry? Thank you again!
Excuse me sir. What happens if you don't use the UV light and just wipe the pages with peroxide? Will it damage the paper or fade the ink? If so, what if I dilute the peroxide even more? Thanks!
The older the paper the more cautious you need to be. Any amount of water will cause paper to expand and if the pages are old and brittle it can cause spine splits and staples to split
Used 3m tape and some wall mounts I found in etsy. Have them all and don’t really need them anymore since the move. If you decide to go that route hit me up and we can work out a deal
Very informative, but I was wondering what is the difference between your cleaning process and actual restoration of a comic. It seems you are doing restoration? Your peroxide cleaning with light is similar to what people do with aged plastic toys and computers. They call it restoration and use the term retrobrite.
The reality is anything you do to a comic to change its condition is restoration. If you are asking where I draw the line, then for me it’s adding something to the book that is not normally present (color touch) or removing something that is (trimming).
Sharp eye! I have used his immacuclean as well. I have not used it much lately as the processes I’m currently using gets most of the dirt off while treating stains
@@hobbyhero6973 after the hop treatment do you think it would get you there? The spine seemed like it had minimal damage if any and the biggest killer would have been the fixing you removed. I sent you a message on IG as well so it may be under requesrs
Excellent video. Thanks. I also subscribe to Atomic Comics. I believe he had that very same Xmen 131 book and sold it for $5000. So yes, I think you should get it graded.
@@ageofcomics5059 could be too high of heat or too much pressure. Time in press shouldn’t do much other than possibly cause there to be more moisture to get out.
@@hobbyhero6973 yes I agree no need to smash the book just needs heat introduced.. The heat will do it's work. And also letting the heat press cool before opening
@@hobbyhero6973 Thanks for clarifying that but I didn't hear anything in the video concerning the type of fixtures you were using or the bulbs. Can you elaborate as to the place of purchase and the brand? Especially the fixtures
CGC has not tagged any of mine but I have seen them hit some for cover cleaning. On those books that were hit the books were pretty obviously cleaned (left behind interior stains or cover was bright white on an old low grade book). As for where to get it done if you want to shoot me some pics of the book I can give you an idea of what you would be looking at.
Have you seen foxing this bad before?
Yes, but almost always on unbagged and unboarded comics in dollar bins.
Wow. Very noticeable improvements with these before and after. Well done!
Thanks!
I will say your videos going over this process are the best. It’s one thing reading a book on what to do, completely different to see it put in motion.
Thanks!
Thanks! I’m definitely a visual learner as well.
Great video and I appreciate the new stuff learned. Foxing is something I want to tackle in the future. Didn't think it could be done!
For a long time it couldn’t. It was an absolute game changer for me
nice job takes alot of work to bring it back to the way it should look👍
Yes it does!
Love you're videos! They are a big help as I'm getting into the pressing. One question. Will a grading company like cgc consider this restoration or conservation when you use a light box?
If they determine it to be too white they will label it as conserved with "cover cleaned"
Charles, I really enjoy these comic cleaning & pressing videos. They are always informative, and I learn something new each time. I definitely vote for more of these. Great work on the comic by the way. If it were me, I probably wouldn't have the book graded, though. There are some color breaking spine ticks on the back that will bring the grade down. Still, a very nice looking book.
Thanks for the feedback! Always glad to know that people find them interesting and/or helpful. I definitely would lean towards raw as well. Would estimate it around an 8.5-9 at best which does not add much value
Came here to say this exact thing. Corners are a bit soft too. I'd keep it raw - still a lot of demand for this whole run in loved but read high grade.
@@davidnix1590 yeah, it’s hard for me to pass up these old Byrne marvel books when I come across them.
Another anal fan boy who thinks hes an expert.
Thanks for the info. I have a large collection of books and games, some of which have a great deal of foxing.
Glad to help! Going to be working on them yourself?
That was amazing!!! Awesome job and ridiculous improvements made through that pricess!!
Thank you! Knew this book would be a perfect candidate for the process but still super happy with results
@@hobbyhero6973 the whites changed drastically after the process!!! Seriously looked like a different book.
@@RexxCollects yeah the added bonus of reversing some of the natural tanning on the book makes a big difference
Great video thanks for information on foxing
You are very welcome 🙏
Fantastic job that was so insightful thank you.
Your welcome! I wish it made more sense to go into a deeper dive but the one thing I can definitively say about it is that every book is a little different.
Great information!
Thank you! The refinement of these processes completely changed my stain removal approach and opened up so many more possibilities. I never could have treated a book like this before without large amounts of color loss and risk of paper damage.
Another great job my friend.
Thank you sir 🙏
Great stuff Charles! I wanted to post that I've been running some BLED tests on both books encased in the CGC holder or in a Mylar storage. BLED will give you the same positive results! I tested a CGC'ed FF #73 F & B and there was a huge whitening difference after 4 BLEDs. I had always been disappointed with the slight tan color of both and now they are sparkling. Another example was a DD #9 back that looks amazing. Thought I'd pass on this good news!
Thanks! Glad to hear it’s working well for you too!
I collect Sports Illustrateds. I have a '56 Mickey Mantle which is the holy grail SI and it has a lot of foxing. Do you do SIs and what would you have charged for exactly what you did to this X Men? Thanks.
Yeah, I can do older sports illustrateds as well. Can you shoot me some pics on one of my socials?
Amazing how clean they ended up.
I'm new to all this, thinking in rise the grades on my Lobo collection to sell it and maybe do a side job cleaning comics.
(Question)
What is the difference between the sheet of paper with hydrogen peroxide and the mist with UV light?
Thanks if you are going to start doing it yourself I'd recommend picking up the books in the description. They are where I started and offer a lot of troubleshooting.
Thank you. Most interesting
These processes were a complete game changer for me. The amount that you can improve some of these neglected books is crazy
What do you do about pages curling in the light box? Do you weigh them down with anything?
I do. Usually something just laying around along the edges.
AMAZING!!!
Thanks!
First, to answer your pinned question, I've seen much worse foxing on Silver age books. I do like this approach and I've seen your video on the work you did for Ghost Rider #1, of which I own a copy that can use this treatment. After watching this video, I have more confidence to try it though I've not yet done so because I'm missing some crucial hardware, like a heat press! That will be taken care of shortly and I wanted to know what brand do you use. Thank you for posting this tutorial. I am impressed (no pun intended) with the results. Best to all.
Thanks for checking out the video! Good luck and if you run into issues you know where to find me.
Great video!
How long you pressing. What temperature?
As for another question, my magazine boards tend to get sticky on the top cover( thats when iam doing the regular pressing) .
My sandwich looks like (top to bottom) teflon sheet, 2 magazine boards, one under front cover, one in the middle, one at the back cover and then 2 magazines plus last the teflon sheet. 155 degrees , 6 mins, off the press and then leave it to cool down for like 2 hrs.
Am I missing something?(ASM 240)
Thanks in advance🙂
Thanks! As for time and temp they vary depending on process. As for your stack avoid Teflon as it can cause canvassing in your books. I’d recommend three magazine backers/copy paper/front cover/60lb paper/backer at staples/60 lb paper/back cover/copy paper/three backer boards. If you are using plates the three backer boards can just be one.
How long do you wait between pressing? A full 24 hours? A few hours until it's cool? Remove immediately? I'm trying this method for the first time and your videos have been very helpful!
Depends. I usually will do a few treatments before deciding to rest. If I do rest a books it’s usually at least 24 hours but can be up to two weeks.
Ok thanks! So the time and temp combination? Press for 10 minutes at 140, leave in the press 30 minutes to 1 hour?
Hydrogen peroxide soaked paper, does this work on glossy and none glossy old print manuals like user manuals on for sewing machines user manuals that have brown foxing,
or would this attack the drawings and writing?
I'm not sure but I would imagine it would work on any porous type paper. Probably nothing as glossy as a magazine.
I never knew there was a method to remove foxing. I wish I had known this years ago, but I have many books with foxing that need to be fixed. THANK YOU!
Just a few questions:
What weight and brightness of printer paper works best for the hydrogen peroxide soaking?
How long do you let the paper soak?
Do you just hold the paper up and let it quit dripping before putting it on the comic, or do you pat it dry?
Thank you again!
You and me both! As for your questions I just use regular copy paper and heavily spray the sheet and then wipe away excess liquid.
Do you use the hydrogen peroxide straight on comic book or do you dilute the peroxide
I don't dilute it but I do know some who mix it 50/50 with H2O
Great work as usual...:)
Thank you 🙏
How long do you press the peroxide treatment for and what temperature?
It varies greatly on the book and stains. With trial and error you can sort of figure out which each book will need.
Excuse me sir. What happens if you don't use the UV light and just wipe the pages with peroxide? Will it damage the paper or fade the ink? If so, what if I dilute the peroxide even more? Thanks!
I doubt much would happen at all. May clean some surface dirt off and possibly take some old ink off with it.
hope you make more videos like this
Have several recorded already but in the process of moving so not had enough time to edit the videos
I would be interested in you doing it with an antique book
The older the paper the more cautious you need to be. Any amount of water will cause paper to expand and if the pages are old and brittle it can cause spine splits and staples to split
What do you charge to have that done? I sent off an ASM 238 that had some foxing that I may consider and I have a Star Wars book that has it as well.
If you have specific questions about books hit me up on Instagram. Hard to say for sure until I see the books
How do you mount those slabs on the slanted ceiling? I have a ceiling like that.
Used 3m tape and some wall mounts I found in etsy. Have them all and don’t really need them anymore since the move. If you decide to go that route hit me up and we can work out a deal
Foxing comes from "Ferrous Oxide," which is usually one of the main compounds causing discoloration
Yeah, can be one of the sources that cause it.
What brand are those absorbing & artist erasers? Thanks for all of the content.
Just what popped up on Amazon honestly. If you want the exact links you can hit me up on Instagram and I can send you the links.
Is the Hydrogen Peroxide treatment able to be done to books that have been signed with Black, Silver, or Gold Sharpie Markers?
Yeah, doesn’t react with the marker at all
Very informative, but I was wondering what is the difference between your cleaning process and actual restoration of a comic. It seems you are doing restoration? Your peroxide cleaning with light is similar to what people do with aged plastic toys and computers. They call it restoration and use the term retrobrite.
The reality is anything you do to a comic to change its condition is restoration. If you are asking where I draw the line, then for me it’s adding something to the book that is not normally present (color touch) or removing something that is (trimming).
@@hobbyhero6973 Thank you for your response.
@@danielrhodes7594 no problem! Thanks for checking out the video.
I noticed that you got your pressing plates for Immaculate comics, have you used his Immacuclean too?
Sharp eye! I have used his immacuclean as well. I have not used it much lately as the processes I’m currently using gets most of the dirt off while treating stains
@@hobbyhero6973 I like a lot of his products, but I will have to try your methods as well. I just Subscribed.
@@jayhays8267 thanks for the sub! Always have a practice book first for any new techniques. Take it slow and you will get it 👍
Hey have a question about this process. I keep pulling up ink while pressing. What do you think is going wrong?
With deep reds I will usually get a small amount of lift but anything more than that and it’s most likely too much heat or pressure.
@@hobbyhero6973 do you let the comic sit in the press for a while or remove the sheets off immediately?!
@@Andrew-pm6uj remove sheets once book has gotten back to resting temp
Your 65lb link goes to 20lb copy paper, the 65lb link is misdirected on a few of your videos. Thanks for all the great info!
Oh! Thanks I'll try to get it updated on all of them.
Do u use pure hydrogen peroxide or is it diluted?
I use 3% solution but I know some who dilute to 1.5% and get great results as well.
I would love to see what this would come back graded
It’s been heating up a little bit lately so maybe I will submit it still. Needs to get a 9.2 or better to really be worth grading tho.
@@hobbyhero6973 after the hop treatment do you think it would get you there? The spine seemed like it had minimal damage if any and the biggest killer would have been the fixing you removed.
I sent you a message on IG as well so it may be under requesrs
@@valorcomicservices it could, 9.0-9.2 range 9.4 maybe with a very generous grader
Any chance tou recommend a service that does this?
I do it now for clients. Hobbyherocomics.com
Great, I also had a book come back as restored with color touching, is that something that can ever be removed to get back to a blue label?
@@johnacosta1856 usually, sometime can be very invasive tho
Excellent video. Thanks.
I also subscribe to Atomic Comics. I believe he had that very same Xmen 131 book and sold it for $5000. So yes, I think you should get it graded.
Excellent comment! I’m guessing he had another copy or some kind of unique copy of it to sell it for that much.
I know what you mean. But just like all of these big $$$ auction sales.....i don't believe it until i see a 1099.
@@timothylee3105 always best to take the talk with a grain of salt
What temp and how long for the overlay press?
The process varies quite a bit from book to book. If you have a specific book you have questions on hot me up on FB or IG
How do you keep the color from coming off onto the peroxide soaked paper?
It doesn’t really react with the ink at all. Really vibrant colors (usually reds) may transfer a small amount but otherwise usually no other colors
@@hobbyhero6973 oh ok! Maybe I’m leaving it in the press for too long
@@ageofcomics5059 could be too high of heat or too much pressure. Time in press shouldn’t do much other than possibly cause there to be more moisture to get out.
@@hobbyhero6973 yes I agree no need to smash the book just needs heat introduced.. The heat will do it's work. And also letting the heat press cool before opening
This transformation was amazing. Do you provide clean and pressing services?
Thanks you! I do press and clean others books as well. Feel free to reach out to me on IG or Messenger
Are those UV lights or just blue light?
Not UV. They are Blue LED but recommend specific bulbs in link. UV will damage paper and higher chance of fading colors.
@@hobbyhero6973
Thanks for clarifying that but I didn't hear anything in the video concerning the type of fixtures you were using or the bulbs. Can you elaborate as to the place of purchase and the brand? Especially the fixtures
@@shanehasty1748 I have pretty much everything I use linked in the description if you are wanting to purchase the exact items.
Where can I get this done. And will it be noticeable by cgc if done
CGC has not tagged any of mine but I have seen them hit some for cover cleaning. On those books that were hit the books were pretty obviously cleaned (left behind interior stains or cover was bright white on an old low grade book). As for where to get it done if you want to shoot me some pics of the book I can give you an idea of what you would be looking at.
@@hobbyhero6973 definitely. Where can I contact you, by email?
@@jamiegutierrez5352 DM me on Instagram or Facebook
Video looks like it was shot on vhs in the 80's lol. Great video though.
Yeah I was recording in OBS at the time and it was compressing them for “best” RUclips quality. I’ve since stopped doing that lol
What are you doing with those N64 carts? You monster...
Lol, they have since been upgraded to chip clips but I assure you no cartridges were harmed in the making of these videos.
It’s Absorene, not Absorbine. Absorbine is for arthritis.
You are correct. Didn’t feel like re recording it tho 😅
Are you mixing the peroxide with water or just straight peroxide?
Its a 3% over the counter H2O2 solution
Great results!
Thanks!