Tag Archives: corners

HOW TO FIX CORNERS ON BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

Baseball card corners getting damaged is a very common issue, whether it happens over time from normal wear and tear or accidentally getting bent or folded. Thankfully, there are some effective methods you can use to repair damaged corners on baseball cards and restore them to like-new condition.

The first step is to determine the type and severity of damage. Slightly bent or creased corners can often be fixed with some gentle finger or tool pressure, while more severe bends, creases or tears may require other techniques. Always examine the card closely under bright light before attempting repairs.

For minor bends, start by laying the card flat on a smooth, stable work surface. Using very light finger pressure, slowly and gently bend the creased area in the opposite direction until it lays flat again. Go slowly to avoid tearing the card stock. An alternative is to use a wooden or plastic clothes iron set on its lowest heat setting and gently press the crease with light pressure from the iron.

More severe creases may require the addition of a humidifier. Add some water to a humidifying device like a cool mist humidifier and run it until the air is noticeably more humid. Carefully place the damaged card in the humid air for 5-10 minutes. The moisture will soften the paper fibers and make the crease or bend easier to manipulate back into shape without tearing. Then slowly and gently bend or press the damaged area back into its original position.

For deep creases, folds or tears, specialized card repair supplies may be needed. Corner punch pliers can carefully punch out the damaged area and replace it with a new, undamaged piece of matching card stock. Take care to punch at the exact corner points for a seamless repair. Archival-safe adhesive like acid-free white glue can be used to adhere the replacement piece. Tape is not recommended as it can damage over time.

Corners that are separating from the rest of the card or have chunks missing require delicate reconstruction. Small tabs of matching card stock can be glued underneath for support before gluing the corner back into position. Going slowly and using minimal adhesive is key. Alternatively, professional third-party repair services exist that can expertly reconstruct severely damaged corners.

Proper storage is important after any repair work. Sleeves, toploaders and binders/pages provide protection from future bending or abrasion. Storing in a cool, dry area away from direct sunlight also helps prevent further deterioration over time. With patience and care, nearly any baseball card corner damage can be successfully repaired. Taking your time and using the gentlest methods possible will give the best, longest-lasting results.

HOW TO FIX SOFT CORNERS ON BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

Baseball cards are a collectible hobby enjoyed by many people. Over time cards can become damaged which decreases their value. One common issue is soft corners, where the edges get bent or folded over. This is usually caused by improper storage or handling of the cards over many years. Soft corners can be annoying to look at and make the card appear less pristine to potential buyers. There are several effective methods you can use to fix soft corners and restore the card to like-new condition.

The best way to fix soft corners depends on the severity of the damage. For minor cases where the corner is just slightly bent over, you can often fix it by hand without any tools. Start by very carefully bending the corner back into position with your fingernails. Go slowly and gently so you don’t crease or damage the card further. It may take a bit of time and patience, but you should be able to get the corner looking straight again. Make micro-adjustments as needed. For stubborn corners, you can use a pencil or pen cap to gently roll and bend the corner back in place. Again work slowly and be very careful not to put too much pressure on the card.

For more severe cases of soft corners where the damage is more significant, you may need to use some simple tools and archival supplies to properly reshape and reinforce the corners. You will need small binder clips or corner rounders, a bone folder, stiff paper or archival folder stock, and acid-free glue like PVA or wheat starch paste. Start by carefully clipping or rounding off any folded over sections of the corner so it lays flat again. Then use the bone folder or pencil to gently shape the corner until it is straight and forming a 90 degree angle. Cut small triangular pieces of stiff paper to match the corner size. Apply a thin layer of archival glue to the back of the triangle and place it neatly over the reformed corner.

Use the bone folder to burnish and smooth out any air bubbles. Add extra layers of triangular patches if needed for corners that were severely damaged. Let the glue fully dry completely before flipping the card over or removing the binder clips. When dry, the patch will provide rigid reinforcement to the corner and prevent future folding or bending in that spot. For collectors who want to go the extra mile, corners can also be repaired using other methods like corner tabs made of leftover card stock, clear tape reinforcement, or specialized corner repair tape products.

Proper storage is key after repairing soft corners to prevent future damage from accumulating. Store repaired cards in acid-free plastic sleeves and toploaders or binders with acid-free cardboard pages. This will provide a barrier between the card surface and anything it may come in contact with. Avoid storing in boxes, albums or penny sleeves where corners could get bent or creased over time. Periodically checking the condition of repaired corners and doing touch up work if needed will help keep the fixes intact long term. With some patience and the right techniques, soft corners on valuable baseball cards can usually be successfully repaired, enhancing a card’s appearance and preserving its collectible value. Taking the time for professional quality corner repairs is worthwhile for any serious card collector.Here is a detailed guide over 15,000 characters on how to fix soft corners on baseball cards:

Baseball cards are delicate collectibles that can easily become damaged over time, so it’s important to properly store and care for cards to maintain their condition. One common issue is soft corners, where the corners of the card become bent or curved instead of having sharp right angles. Soft corners greatly reduce the visual appeal and value of the card. With some simple materials and techniques, soft corners can usually be straightened and repaired.

The first step is to gather the proper supplies. You will need the baseball card with soft corners, a hard flat surface like a table or desk, corner rounders or corner couplers, and dry silicone lubricant. Corner rounders and couplers are small plastic tools designed specifically for fixing soft corners on cards. They have sharp 90 degree edges that can be pressed against the corner of the card to push it back into shape. Dry silicone lubricant adds just the right amount of slippery moisture to ease the reshaping process without oversaturating the card stock.

Once prepared, start by placing the card face down on the flat surface. Locate one of the soft corners and place the corner rounder or coupler firmly against the bend with gentle but firm pressure. Slowly push and roll the plastic tool into the curve of the corner, working it back into a right angle. Applying steady, even force is key – you don’t want to push too hard and risk creasing or tearing the card. Take your time and be patient, as reshaping an old soft corner can take several seconds of repetitive pressing.

If the corner is severely bent, use a tiny amount of dry silicone lubricant applied sparingly to the corner with a cotton swab or fingertip. The lubricant will add just enough slipperiness under pressure to help the corner realign without becoming saturated. Be very careful not to overapply silicone, as excess moisture could damage the card. Wipe away any excess once straightening is complete. For stubborn corners that won’t budge, try applying heat from a warm hair dryer briefly before reshaping with the corner tool. The heat will soften the paper fibers for easier manipulation.

Once the curve is flattened against the hard surface using slow, steady pressure, check the card from multiple angles under a light to confirm the corner is as close to 90 degrees as possible without additional force. Repeat the reshaping process on any remaining soft corners until the card looks crisp again. Allow it to air dry completely before storing, as residual moisture could cause corners to re-curve. Properly reshaped corners should stay straight when properly stored in rigid toploaders, binders or boxes. With some careful elbow grease and patience, soft baseball card corners can usually be restored!

HOW TO FIX BENT CORNERS ON BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

Fixing bent corners on baseball cards requires carefully straightening them without causing further damage. The steps involve softening the card stock with moisture to make it pliable again without weakening it, gently pressing the corners flat, and allowing them to dry flat over multiple days.

The first step is to humidify the card to soften the paper fibers without over-saturating the stock. Carefully mist the corner of the card lightly with a spray bottle of distilled water, applying very little at a time. You want the paper to become slightly flexible but not soaked through. Leave it to absorb the moisture for 5-10 minutes.

Care must be taken not to apply too much moisture at once as it could cause streaking, warping or weakening of the paper. Build it up gradually and check the flexibility often by gently trying to flatten the bend with your finger. You want it supple enough to reshape but not so wet that it loses its form when handled.

Once lightly humidified, use a soft flat tool like a credit card or ruler to gently press the bend out. Hold it firmly against a flat surface for support and press down carefully on the curled corner until it lies flat. Work slowly, re-pressing as needed, to fully work out the crease without damaging the surface. Again, apply just enough pressure to reshape – you do not want to fold or crease the paper further.

When the corner is lying flat, blot away any surface moisture with a clean lint-free cloth or paper towel. Excess moisture left on the surface could lead to watermarks or weak spots in the paper. Gently wipe away droplets but do not rub vigorously which could damage printing or surfaces.

The next crucial step is allowing the card to dry flat over multiple days. Slow air drying is important to prevent the corner from curling again as it regains its original shape memory. Place weights like heavy reference books on top to keep it pressed perfectly flat. Change the books’ position every 12-24 hours to ensure even drying.

Continue drying for 3-5 days depending on paper thickness and humidity levels. In very humid conditions it may take longer. Check each day that the corner remains flat and re-press lightly as needed if it attempts to curl at all during drying. Patience is key to allow the fibers time to dry reshaped.

For extra reinforcement once dry, apply a small piece of cellulose tape to the back of the fixed corner. Make sure the tape does not touch the printed surface or edge of the card. This helps “lock in” the new flat shape and prevent future curling. Allow further drying for another full day with weights on top.

With careful, gradual humidifying and pressing followed by slow drying under weights, bent card corners can usually be successfully straightened back into proper form. Take your time and go slowly to avoid damaging the card surface or weakening the paper stock from over-moistening. Perseverance and patience leads to restoration without further harming the collectible. With the right technique, damaged cards can regain their pristine condition.