Hacks and Secrets for Cleaning and Pressing Comics!

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[@mangabadly]

I love when people show their expertise in a craft. You are CLEARLY an expert! Thank you very much for sharing!

[@luismendoza4514]

I loved the close-up camera view of pointing out all the defects it would be awesome to see this same tactic and applying it to grading a book and how you subtract each defect to come up with a final grading score

[@futurepastvintagecollectables]

We will do that for sure!

[@nicholashadlick6072]

I love the fact that at the start of the cleaning process in this tutorial, the comic literally says "It'll make an expert out of you"! Lol, it's so ironic but also so fitting for this vid! Thanks so much for the awesome content and it's truly super helpful for us all in the comic community. I always learn something new from each vid on this channel. I'm new to cleaning and pressing, so I really appreciate these techniques big time! Thank you!!

[@portville1979]

Fantastic!

[@sulumonlives4932]

I was fascinated, informed and entertained. Had no idea spine ticks could be mended 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@robandkrissy]

Great video. I feel much better informed now!

[@leerogers5318]

Great video. I too press and clean comics and I have found out through years of doing so that no two people who 'Press & Clean' do it the exact same way. However, I do notice that comic people are quick to criticize others if they do not do the process their way. My saying is, "If it is stupid but it works, then it is not stupid". I have developed many of my own hacks and they all work. I would like to point out that anything you do to a comic for improving its condition is by definition 'Restoration'. Here is the definition of the word Restoration according to the dictionary: the action of returning something to a former owner, place, or condition.

[@wylier]

True, but one has to understand the difference between professional restoration, and how they affect the issues grade.

[@williamdahlstedt9515]

I have watched several informative videos on cleaning and pressing and all left me cringing and thinking "is that really how it should be done?". After watching THIS video I only had one reaction; that looks and feels correct.

[@ciderman9000000]

What heat on the tack do you use for spike tick?

[@elongatedmusket7430]

Very helpful, thank you!

[@Johnny-dz6vl]

Amazing that comic book collecting, cleaning, and pressing has become a real science. Thanks for your video, very interesting and thorough 😊

[@ghostman7768]

Great work done well 😃👍🏻

[@fishdave40]

Thank you!

[@DaveyX1]

Great work. Hoping I can learn more, I have many high valuable Bronze Age and some silver that I definitely want to get CGC graded. Thanks for your help.

[@200percenthealth]

I clean and press my books and its always interesting to see other peoples methods, you always learn something new watching other people. Thanks

[@mrdigit3353]

hey dave, a suggestion might be if you could somehow find a dark backing board for underneath,(for this video purposes), it would help the spine ticks be more noticeable as opposed to the book laying on a white bkgrd,..?

[@oovotzify]

I would really like to see what you could do with a book that is probably a 3.0 or worse and see how much you could improve it. Great channel thanks for all you do.

[@deerichardz]

Could you show some examples of a 'trimmed' book, and staple manipulation?

[@jkoolaid21]

Great episode showing the details on cleaning and pressing. I've been wanting to get into cleaning my books shows like yours give me confidence that I can do it.

[@futurepastvintagecollectables]

You can do it!

[@hape361]

I would love to see more of this. Very informative and interesting to watch. Thank you.

[@Karatechopsin]

I press and clean my personal comics and all of these tips are spot on.

[@ricbeau3761]

Excellent video. Me I have difficulty removing a none breaking fold. Even with press or tackle iron , there always remain a small fold. I hope to find how to remove it.

[@futurepastvintagecollectables]

Tip- get a smaller tack iron (a crafting unit, it has a very small flat surface) for those types of stress marks. Go super slow, and move the chamfers board a bit to get better contact. Experiment with different methods. You will get more proficient.

[@ricbeau3761]

@@futurepastvintagecollectables thank you for your advice, I will try it 👍

[@CarlislemusicLLC]

Another great video! Thanks for posting!

[@mburns89]

Very informative. Also found it to be a nice ASMR video as well.

[@futurepastvintagecollectables]

That’s so funny! I fell asleep watching it!

[@chrisg2100]

Great video!!

[@nunyazbusiness6027]

i just wanna say that i am a huge fan of this channel. i like this video and really enjoy when ya guys go over the ins and outs of collecting. i love learning about this hobby and would recommend you guys to everyone.

[@futurepastvintagecollectables]

That makes us happy! Glad you like the videos, we love making them!

[@weekendwerewolf7157]

Conan the Barbarian 141, omg I love that issue. I started buying Conan that year because that's the year the movie came out, when I was a kid. I bought between 1 to 2 dozen Conan books but that issue is just my favorite. I buy it whenever I find it in high grade, I can't help it. Great video, I subscribed.

[@jiggskingdom]

This was an amazing video; you gave so many great tips that I will be using myself, thanks.

[@futurepastvintagecollectables]

Thank you!

[@TheBloodBlues]

Great Video! What temperature are you running the tack iron at? Thanks!

[@futurepastvintagecollectables]

I have it set on 103-106 depending on the era

[@TheBloodBlues]

@@futurepastvintagecollectables Thanks!

[@shanecater560]

Great video …thanks very much

[@tcs007]

YES!!!

[@bestcore1214]

I've been mostly practicing on crappy comics for 5 years and have developed an excellent method. I've never incorporated the tack iron or steel ball into my method but after watching this I think it will be the missing key to get the best results possible. Thanks!

[@noeserrano756]

I would love to see more of this but for more damage comics! Great job, very informant

[@readmorecomix]

very helpful video, thank you!

[@jonbreece6688]

Thank you

[@justina3489]

Nice to see the process

[@gerrickreidenbach8147]

excellent demonstration!

[@lanlubber8514]

Thanks for the video. I've recently started pressing my modern books for practice. I notice that you don't use SRP between the outside of the cover and the magazine board. Any reason why?

[@futurepastvintagecollectables]

One reason- pebbling. I got some books back with pebbling in the graders notes and realized that the SRP may be the culprit. The SRP does not allow for the humidity to naturally be drawn from the book in some cases and creates a pebble texture. I switched to using thick gauge laser paper instead and haven't had any more issues. I still have about 200 LBS of SRP,. I use it for tack iron work exclusively.

[@futurepastvintagecollectables]

You may not be using humidity on newer books, and should be ok if you don't (I can't vouch that it won't pebble, but I have had a lot of success with SRP prior to the issues).

[@lanlubber8514]

@@futurepastvintagecollectables Correct, I'm not using any humidity. Modern books already feel kind of damp already. Thanks for response.

[@KimNguyen-zm7gi]

Very neat and organized. You have knowledge and technology for the hobby. You need to create your own pressing and grading services. Thank you for sharing your work station.

[@otakutourguide]

This was very informative. Thanks for going through your process. I feel like I can start cleaning with the erasers now.

[@jonandblanca]

Great video. Very informative. I'm learning to press and clean my comics as well. A quick question though. What temperature do you have your tac iron?

[@futurepastvintagecollectables]

I set mine at 103-105

[@Country_Club_Comics]

Great video- since you really know what you're doing, I was wondering if you ever had success on removing canvassing? I always ask that of master pressers- have a few that need that issue pressed out. Thanks.

[@futurepastvintagecollectables]

I have, but it’s not easy and doesn’t always work. I use different products and I personally don’t get get pebbling or canvassing. I don’t use SRP paper or Teflon sheets.

[@CBs_Bill_from_Montana]

Not sure why but I love your theme song! So 80s! I loved this video even though I’ll never press a book.

[@futurepastvintagecollectables]

It was just for context really. As time goes on I will point out defects and either explain why they can be removed or can’t, as well as poor cleaning and pressing people should look out for.

[@CBs_Bill_from_Montana]

@@futurepastvintagecollectables I could never learn enough about taking care of comics. There isn’t actually a lot of good videos out there like this.

[@futurepastvintagecollectables]

Thanks Bill. We want to offer unique content. We March to our own drummer.

[@CBs_Bill_from_Montana]

It would be interesting to see how you simply handle your books while categorizing them. I know transferring books from box to box costs me money every time I do it. Final comment - how much for that House of Mystery you’re working on?

[@kendallkidd20]

Very interesting meticulous work indeed

[@grogfuna7920]

Thank you for the detailed explanation and demo. The devil is in the details. Also, excellent camera work!

[@TK_junction]

Great video. Thanks for doing this. Question, what thickness are the aluminum plates you used? I’m thinking of doing my own pressing just not sure how thick the plates are that I need. Much appreciated.

[@futurepastvintagecollectables]

One of kaptainmykes videos goes over different plates. The videos are on youtube.

[@BrooklynAvenue]

Thanks so much, glad that I seem to be doing the same things you do, I only started last year, but it's a great hobby in of itself.

[@futurepastvintagecollectables]

It’s one of my favorite aspects of the hobby! Love doing it.

[@nighttigercomics7323]

Thanks for the great tips. I'm definitely going to apply them in my own conservation.

[@joitwotheworld]

Great content, very informative

[@corso_kid]

This video gets a 9.8….. 12 pressers ? Wow… you are the real deal

[@hammur2323]

Your amazing, thanks for showing us.

[@SteelCartel]

Good meeting you bro at eccc hell destroyer comics here

[@lennygrossman9821]

I need some advice on unrolling a what appears to be a 100-year old document from Theodore Roosevelt it's like trying to unroll a torchship how would I soften the paper

[@futurepastvintagecollectables]

I would speak to a conservationist or research paper conservation/restoration before I tried anything.

[@comicbookchris3509]

I've managed to do OK with cleaning/pressing/CGC even though by nature I'm a bull in a China shop type of guy who is too aggressive with cleaning. I struggle with being laser focused while cleaning. I've ruined too many books. You are my hero.

[@futurepastvintagecollectables]

I have to remind myself to breath and always focus on slow. It’s borderline meditation, which is not exactly a strong suit for me.

[@kevinhurt5331]

I’ve just started pressing thanks so much for this video any tips help.

[@planetarizonacomics8248]

Hi Dave and Rachel. Thanks a lot for this vid. I’ve been pressing my own books for a year with some good results, but I never want to stop learning. I’ve been thinking about buying a tack iron since the beginning and have just never pulled the trigger. Can you tell me if the tack iron you use has a temperature adjust, and if so what temperature do you set it at? I bought one online yesterday that has a temperature adjust.

[@futurepastvintagecollectables]

185 +/-. See how the paper responds at lower and play with it a degree or two at a time. Start lower and build up.

[@planetarizonacomics8248]

Sounds like a plan. Thanks

[@CptRameus]

You must eat very little cereal to use a spoon that size 😂 great vid 👍

[@ColeCollects]

Excellent video! I press and clean my own books too, but you've definitely perfected the science my friend.

[@sonnycoelho1752]

This was so interesting! Where did you learn all of these techniques, was it mostly through trial and error? The books look so much better!

[@futurepastvintagecollectables]

Kaptain Myke’s books and KZbin channel is at the core of what I do. I have watched tons of other videos and I’m on several FB groups as well.

[@evilminky111]

Great stuff Dave and Rachel. Always good to see other people’s techniques and adapt and improve on your own skills.

[@gabesaquatics8495]

Great video! So useful! All the bests from Germany!

[@stephenbyce]

Just amazing 🎉

[@steppingrazor9685]

Great video. I love seeing your process.

[@CBs_Bill_from_Montana]

I don’t know if you’ll ever read this but I’ll ask anyways. At the 2:27 mark you have some boards on the table with graphs on them. Lots of comic guys have these. Can you explain why? I know it’s a cutting board but I’m curious why the graph ones are needed. Do you buy a special UV light?

[@futurepastvintagecollectables]

Hey Bill. The graphed board has a texture that is no slip, so it’s a good place to look at a comic. When I work on a comic, I use a magazine board under it to flip it over and assure I don’t scratch it, etc. I don’t use peroxide or UV light. I just go old school and stick with what I know.

[@CBs_Bill_from_Montana]

@@futurepastvintagecollectables Thank you thank you!

[@antoniofernandez4330]

Love this deep dive into your method

[@BlacknTell]

I been waiting on this!!!! Thanks Ever use hydrogen peroxide?

[@futurepastvintagecollectables]

Yes. It is not something I’ve done a lot, but I have tried just about everything. I’m not crazy about it. I have hurt a few books like that. I tend to be careful and stay away from some of the newer treatments like that.

[@dprescott1970]

Video was very informative

[@darrensmith9564]

good video

[@robertdick680]

Great job! Does the flat leather working tool have a more specific name?

[@Aerros1]

Great vid. Really cool to see what goes into this, Including Dave's time.

[@timothylee3105]

❤ Great video. Thanks for all the tips.

[@monzsterman]

I never knew this even existed. Really cool content. I have a decent collection of books but have not laid eyes on them in almost 30 years. They are bagged and have carefully been read once. I was wondering if you could do a video of content relating to the "care" of comics and things that should be done in long time storage that would help in preserving them. Thanks alot and keep the videos coming.

[@MC-gz9et]

Hi there, great video . I have question, what brand tacking iron do you use and Do you have any recommendations ? Plus what’s the temperature you are running it at ? I’m looking to buy one but I’m not sure which to get .

[@Cuntycomics]

Thank you for supplying the Amazon link to all the products you use, sorry I missed the link in my last comment ❤

[@TheSkinny001]

Really enjoyed this and learned a lot! Thank you

[@andresperez5430]

Thank you for the video, lots of great information!

[@acesontilt77]

Legitimate question. What did you have to do to your electrical in that room to support 12 presses? I cant put more than 2 on one breaker without it popping.

[@futurepastvintagecollectables]

I only use one press per circuit at a time. I have presses being powered by four circuits currently, and I run them together. Sometimes my lights start to flicker in my workshop when I have the tack iron and steamer on as well.

[@acesontilt77]

@@futurepastvintagecollectables HAHA Ohh man that sounds just like me. I have 5 presses total. Only 2 per circuit can be on at a time. I have them in 3 diferent areas of the house. I was thinking about having an electrician come in and run a new line for me so I can keep everything in one room.

[@GregMoore7]

Thanks for the super informative video. You may wanna break out the ruler though cuz you either got some bad miscuts or trimming going on. I suspect right right side of that Conan 141 was trimmed 18:32. The top of the Thor book @ 4:56 also looked suspect, but who knows with that era of printing! Anyways, thanks again!

[@futurepastvintagecollectables]

Well, the book is a bit low value to be wasting time with a trim. Possibly a miss-wrap. It’s interesting, I continue to develop my approach to cleaning and pressing with experience, and I assume in the coming years it will profoundly change. It’s changed since I’ve made this video.

[@ArtizanMetal]

When I get greasy fingerprints on a fresh, modern book (especially on black front/back covers) are the flat, round cotton pads the best way to remove that?

[@wylier]

If I were u I'd use a lightly damp cotton ball or wad of paper, add a bit of soap to it, and clean the stains / prints that way.

[@prenticehammond2003]

Is any/all white space the actual unprinted paper stock used for the cover? I'm guessing yes, just want to confirm. I also assume the gloss is part of the original paper stock. The printed ink provides its own gloss (that is, there is not a separate glossing process).

[@brianbarrick9583]

Great video, aways good to learn new things. I think I will try a cleaning and hope one day to get a press, thanks.

[@robdienzo3388]

Great informative video! I know you said you would only press your books (you had mentioned this before to me in a message when I asked if you do pressings for other people) but would you venture to possibly do Rachel's books? Or maybe let Rachel try under your supervision?

[@bignothing909]

I jus got x men comic for ur guys e bay...soooo clean. ur guys sell high quality comics👌

[@futurepastvintagecollectables]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@antoniofernandez4330]

This is what. Have been looking for

[@luismendoza4514]

This was great. Thanks for doing this video ❤

[@silveragedc]

Great video David!!

[@davidsterling1659]

Could you get out a pen date on the cover of a Journey into mystery 83 for me?? Dave

[@futurepastvintagecollectables]

No, generally I can’t get pen ink out.

[@DescendingClimax]

Awesome video. Always wanted to do my own cleaning and pressing. Very nice detailed work you do. That Thor book came out awesome! Thanks for the video!

[@thegrilledcheese4841]

You mentioned muscle memory... always wondered how often, or even if, a comic with cpr remembers its paper memory and years later reverts back to the damages

[@futurepastvintagecollectables]

Not if done correctly. If a book is going to revert, it will do it pretty fast. That’s why I don’t quick press, or not let it stay in the press long enough.

[@JoeyRam.]

Hey, I was watching your Amazon Store and saw that the Silicone release paper is unavailable. Is there any other you recommend?

[@govatos]

Awesome! Been wanting to see you do something like this.

[@Alucard_76]

Thanks Dave and Rachel...great add today like always U give me the confidence to grab mom's iron and flat a chunk of books after I saw u do it so Easy. I have no ball to do it before.🤣 But now .. Just kidding .!! .nice job and amazing close up to defects . .love it !!😉👍 Pd who are the art work in your walls in the office looks great 😉🤘

[@ArtizanMetal]

I know people who use the 60lb sketch paper. You seem to use the 100 lb. What issues might I have with the 60?

[@futurepastvintagecollectables]

I don’t really know. I have no issues with what I use so I don’t switch to another weight.

[@ArtizanMetal]

@@futurepastvintagecollectables okay buddy. I'll see how the 60 turns out since that's what I already have.

[@futurepastvintagecollectables]

As long as it doesn’t stick to the book or pull ink off, you’re good.

[@bigbymcflythecomicguy]

Love your content! I'm also in the PDX area and have been a life long collector along with previously owning 2 shops for the better part of 20 years. Recently started a channel myself!- 😊 Subbed! (PS my personal account has been Subbed for a long time 😊)

[@futurepastvintagecollectables]

Thanks for the comment! I’ll make sure and check your channel out!

[@bigbymcflythecomicguy]

@@futurepastvintagecollectables Thanks So much! Hope you guys did well at Frankenstein 😀

[@rickyrivera9237]

Where do you get tge chamfer boards?

[@futurepastvintagecollectables]

Rick from immaculatecomics.com has them.

[@Johnny-dz6vl]

Talking camera 😮 brilliant 😅

[@comicsandculture]

12 presses. Holy moly. How high is that electric bill each month lol

[@futurepastvintagecollectables]

Highest in the neighborhood, or at least that’s what my power bill says.

[@comicsandculture]

@@futurepastvintagecollectableslol

[@BrooklynAvenue]

Will you try selling on Whatnot?

[@futurepastvintagecollectables]

Man, I’m trying to get away from the fees! I’m not ruling it out, and I am approved on the platform, but my instagram sales have been great!

[@JoeyRam.]

What is the tack iron's setting?

[@futurepastvintagecollectables]

They are all a bit different. I like 105 degrees.

[@JoeyRam.]

@@futurepastvintagecollectables Thanks, I got it yesterday and most videos have the one with the knob. I'm thinking in making a business out of this here in PA since I'm unemployed. Is that something I can do on the side and charge or I have to register like a regular business?

[@merchantslair]

what press brand do you guys use?

[@futurepastvintagecollectables]

I have mostly an older model of tussy.

[@merchantslair]

I'm not picky. i just need something that's good. what would you recommend for a beginner that will work magnificently? @@futurepastvintagecollectables

[@kirbycarpenter9775]

Cleaning and pressing is not for me. I would rather pay someone. I just do not have the patience for this. Thanks for the video.

[@MetalBum]

And what if it gets damaged in the pressers possession. Or damaged in mail. Who pays who’s responsible. What if presser claim they didn’t damage? What if it got water damaged during pressing humidity

[@tulpfiction9522]

Doubt pressers do your books this thorough, if at all