Detailed Comic Book Spine Roll Repair Tutorial

Here's how I fix spine roll. Its probably not significantly different from the way other people do it, but since i was asked to show it.... here you it in all its boring glory, lol! see our products at immaculatecomi...

[@mathieu9789]

It's great that you invplve your son into your hobby and passion. Both my kids are into comics, and proud to say that they are keen GA and SA afficionados, but this is taking it to another level.

[@ImmaculateComics]

I think keeping kids interested in this hobby and keeping the prices low enough that they can actually succeed at it is paramount to the longevity of this hobby. We are battling video games and online comics for the very existence of paper books!

[@oldcomiccollector8228]

Brilliant guide to sorting out spine roll, much appreciated buddy 👍🙏

[@ImmaculateComics]

Thanks my friend!

[@TheMab2180]

This is an Awesome family video and great instruction video. Thank you!

[@ImmaculateComics]

youre welcome!

[@ianchalgren]

Great vid. I’ve watched it three times now. You’d think I’d just take notes!

[@ImmaculateComics]

Aw shucks , I am flattered!

[@NitroModelsAndComics]

Really close to the way I do it. But I do not lave it overnight for the flat. I do two 2 min cycles ate 165. Then while it is still malleable i steam it a bit more and with a narrow board and only the spine in the press I reestablish the center. I do that for another two 2 min cycles at 165. Then once that is done I hit the rest of the cover inside and out with a spritz of steam ( I only hit the center on both sides to flatten)for four 2 min cycles at 155. The last one is cover down and then I open the press and add 7 magazine backers for pressure and close it and shut it off. 8-10 hours later out pops the freshened book. I've tamed some serious spine rolls many times.Siler and bronze react best to this of course. Great vid.

[@ImmaculateComics]

That’s good advice, thank you!

[@mrivera201]

Another great video by the Comic book scientist!

[@ImmaculateComics]

Thanks Mike, you are too kind!

[@ArtDilla]

I really like this kid

[@ImmaculateComics]

Me too!! Lol

[@FrogBrawler]

I appreciate this video. Thanks!

[@ImmaculateComics]

My pleasure!

[@thisweatherisbullshit]

Love that you do this with your boy.

[@ImmaculateComics]

Thanks!

[@thisweatherisbullshit]

@Immaculate Comics my little guy is 8 and he's starting to get into comic books. But I've only just started learning how to clean and press

[@ImmaculateComics]

That’s so awesome, it makes my heart swell. My some Nolan is frankly one of the best comic book cleaners and pressers I’ve ever seen. But then again he’s been doing it since he was only 3! Lol.

[@itcamefromthenerdcave1669]

Great video as always! Amazing improvement over the Before. Hey, have you ever done a room tour? Noticed a display case in the background. Always love to see other collector's setups. Also, watching you use the cotton swam reminded me of a question for you. Do you ever use Magic Erasers on books? I've seen other YT channels using them but I'm kinda on the fence. They are little abrasive pads similar to very fine grit sandpapers (like I use in modeling). I've used them on walls and doors to get off scuffs and they will take off paint. Maybe I'm pressing too hard but I'd be afraid to use one on a comic as I suspect it would take off any remaining gloss from the cover.

[@ImmaculateComics]

Hi Mike, thanks! No haven't done a room tour... well not yet anyway. My office and my lab also have some cool displays in them. I have some fun old spidey figures going back to the 60s. Some of them I even bought myself when I was little. about the magic erasers.... well I have used them and I do use them sometimes, but only with very heavy soil and on books that have no more gloss left to lose. Those things really remove a lot fo the gloss. Theres a special clear coat, especially on newer books, that is very easy to rub off. Those magic erasers make me very nervous as I've had mixed success with them. I don't think they are work it, myself. let us know how you do with them!

[@ImmaculateComics]

I owe the world a good deep explanation of what comic book paper and ink are and how to preserve and clean them! It will just take me a long time and I fear it will be too technical. But I'll do it!

[@itcamefromthenerdcave1669]

Rick Morgan 💥

[@Revtwenty]

impressive!

[@ImmaculateComics]

thanks so much

[@PasspointComics]

Dang nice video

[@PasspointComics]

Subscribed!!!

[@ImmaculateComics]

Thanks my friend!

[@stampscapes]

very cool

[@ImmaculateComics]

thanks!

[@acballer1831]

Very informative video thanks...

[@ImmaculateComics]

You’re welcome!

[@davidsterling1659]

How much would you charge me to press my timely sub mariner 6? Looks like you are the cream of the crop!

[@ImmaculateComics]

Hi David thanks for the kind words. see our service page at www.immculatecomics.com for more info on services!

[@ferdbirdthenerd]

Great video keep it going!!

[@ImmaculateComics]

Thanks! Will do! I appreciate your kind words. Rick

[@RonJibs]

Hi Rick, Thank you for the video. Newbie presser here. My question is this: When lowering the top of the press do you just touch the top of your "sandwich" and then clamp down? I wonder how much pressure to use sometimes so as to not crush the book. Thanks for any info.

[@ImmaculateComics]

Hi Ron. Well the thing is you need to be careful you don't distort the staples more than anything. By putting a board in the cover to protect the staples leaves a line in the cover. That's why I make and sell chamfered pressing boards in my online store. They are way thicker than regular board and give the cover a natural look. There are so many cgc slabbed boards that you can tell have been pressed because of that weird shape to the cover. I've used a load cell on my press and I press to 140 lb. You would have trouble damaging paper at that pressure but the staples do need to be protected or they may deform.

[@anthonypidone4453]

I have some coverless comics. Who do you recommend for repo covers?

[@ImmaculateComics]

Email Brian Minor at [e-mail] or call him at 715-919-1063. good luck!

[@spooky1304]

Amazing. If a book is seriously rolled though don't you get loss of colour where the paper has stretched..? On this one it doesn't matter so much as its white but on colour I think you'd see where the roll had been once you flatten it..?

[@ImmaculateComics]

That’s a good question and it’s sort of hit and miss. Id depends greatly on the book itself. Honestly I only see color loss on spines occasionally. I’d guess maybe about 1/5 of the time and it’s usually subtler

[@spooky1304]

@@ImmaculateComics Yeah. Another oner: dirt can hide other faults so cleaning dirt off can reveal colour loss thats already there.

[@bluhock88]

so staples are ok to leave in for press to fix the spine?

[@ImmaculateComics]

sometimes yes and sometimes not. if the staples are small and don't poke into the paper you can leave them in if you put a few backing boards in the middle.

[@chachi_arcola]

Hi Rick, great video. What kind of steamer do you use for this?

[@ImmaculateComics]

It’s called the “perfect steamer” there is a link to it in my website, although I am sure there are better ones out there!

[@Eddygnzlz30]

What steamer do you use? I’ve been looking for a similar one and can’t find anything.

[@ImmaculateComics]

It’s called the perfect steamer and I got it at Amazon

[@magicgeeks1955]

Do you have any suggestions for cleaning dried on soot from a house fire. Where ever the books in the collection were overlapped there is a very dark brown line. The line is about 1/2 inch wide. Some of the books are pretty pricey. So I’m trying to make my mistakes on the books with lesser value. Anything you can suggest to help would be greatly appreciated thank you

[@ImmaculateComics]

Yes, use absorene putty to remove light particles then lightly wet clean as soon as possible after a fire. Its in the dry leaning kit on my website. immaculatecomics.com

[@magicgeeks1955]

@@ImmaculateComics I put in an order today. It’s been a while since the fire. But I’m just getting the comics now. Trying to clean them has been a nightmare

[@toasty-toast]

Do you usually use a steamer or prefer a humidity chamber?

[@ImmaculateComics]

I almost never use humidity chambers any more. I find they have only a slight advantage over a steamer and take much longer.

[@superariosto]

Great video and it's obviously a labour of love. I was a bit surprised I did not see an SRP on top of the comic? I am no expert, I am just wondering why you did not use it here? Is it because of the steel plate on top? Or does the backer board serves as enough protection for the cover? Also, Sorry if you answered these questions in one of your other videos. Do you prefer steel plates over aluminum? I know you sell the aluminum plates on your page. Thank you very much for your time.

[@ImmaculateComics]

Hi Ari, Aluminum has a far higher heat capacity and conductivity than steel and is superior for that reason. This particular book didn’t need silicone paper because there was zero change the ink would transfer to the board, in my experience. Naturally you should always have it in place just for insurance. I just felt very comfortable that it would be OK. Also this is my book so I was comfortable With the risk! Thanks for writing ✍️

[@superariosto]

@@ImmaculateComics Thank you so much for your answer. I appreciated It. The book looks really fantastic. I am looking for a spine roll in my collection.

[@frankramos7408]

What make and model is your humidifier?

[@ImmaculateComics]

I actually don't use a humidifier, but my steamer is called "perfect steamer" if thats that you meant?

[@Marcus-ru1ht]

Where did you bought your presser?

[@ImmaculateComics]

Its been so long that I honestly dont remember. I have had this model over 10 years now. I mode likely bought it on ebay!

[@film_magician]

When you get pressing done at CGC do they do this for spine roll/?

[@ImmaculateComics]

No they don’t. However I can do it for you immaculatecomics.com

[@daviclar867]

Excuse me, but yes they do! CCS has done a lot of fine work on my books before walking them over the cgc for grading.

[@CaptainNumbchunks]

What type of press are you using?

[@ImmaculateComics]

It’s actually just a generic unbranded press. I’m sorry I don’t have more info on it

[@ComicAddicts]

👌👍👏💯

[@ImmaculateComics]

Gracias!

[@nanagogo4931]

We’re going to destroy that comic book more that’s gonna be fun 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@richardmontgomery967]

I can fix that spine in fifteen minutes and let it sit for maybe a few hours. Done.

[@ImmaculateComics]

It sounds like a new game show!

[@jayward7549]

@@ImmaculateComics now that's a funny. Great joke