mendlab35 – Pokemon Card Restoration

Card: Pikachu EX
Number: 124
Set: Red & Blue
Year: 2016
Artist: Megumi Mizutani

Diagnosis

• 1 inch crease in the middle of 1/3 top section of the card
• 1 inch crease on the right side of Pikachu’s face
• 1/2 inch crease near the bottom of Pikachu’s tail
• Dent in lower right quadrant
• 1/2 inch crease on Pikachu’s extended leg
• 2 creases about 3/4 inch, below the Jolteon

The Restoration Process

1. Surface cleaned with distilled water. Didn’t need much cleaning.
2. Saturated the card with moisture and lightly press for 30 minutes. Checked on card after first 15 minutes to monitor progress.
3. Performed crease work with the clay tool.
4. Placed in humidor for 45 minutes at 80% humidity.
5. Dry pressed for 12 hours.
6. Repeated steps 2 to 5, but did the moisture press for 20 minutes.
7. Dry pressed for 12 hours.
8. Noticed improvement, but needed another round.
9. Moisture pressedfor 35 minutes.
10. Heat pressed for 30 minutes @ 130F.
11. Dry pressed overnight, not much improvement.
12. Placed card in humidor for 30 minutes at 80% humidity.
13. Localized heat pen treatment, it’s effective!
14. Dry pressed for 36 hours.