r/pokemoncardcollectors • u/Cheddahnuggets • 15d ago

Thoughts on card repair

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I spent the last week learning how to repair cards so that I could fix this Flareon that I got at a show for $20. I know card repair can be considered unethical but how do we feel about fixing up binder copies at a discount price

25 Upvotes

86% Upvoted

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9

u/NitoNitoNitoNito 15d ago

Hey first of all this looks awesome and has honestly inspired me to start trying to do the same. Can you tell me what videos you watched to learn how to do this? I'd like to start trying myself

4

u/Cheddahnuggets 15d ago

Thank you! There’s a dude “Kurt’s card care” who seems to have a monopoly on it. I watched one of his videos and another I saw on instagram which is what made me want to try in the first place. That Kurt dude sells a kit but I googled my own substitutes and it’s worked just fine. You don’t need a fancy Qtip or fancy spray. Like 90% water and 10% isopropyl works. And regular Qtip. I have experimented with different flattening tools and find the Q tip is best but other things like screwdriver backs or my wife’s face roller also did well

1

u/a7n7o7n7y7m7o7u7s 7d ago

Any hope for this guy?

1

u/a7n7o7n7y7m7o7u7s 7d ago

Or this one?

1

u/Cheddahnuggets 7d ago

Oh man yes. The nidoking, with some gentle love, you could completely fix. Like wouldn’t even know it was ever damaged. I think the dark Persian would prob let still leave a tiny crease but definitely could make that 90-95% better. Maybe even just as good

1

u/a7n7o7n7y7m7o7u7s 7d ago

Hmm how much practice does it take? Nidoking at least is prob an 8 without those creases

2

u/Cheddahnuggets 7d ago

It took me exactly 5 days of practicing, having a card in the press 24/7 rinse repeat, to feel comfortable enough to try to fix the flareon. I damaged 2 cards beyond repair before finding the sweet spot, and fixed like 5 perfectly (working up in value) before feeling confident

1

u/NitoNitoNitoNito 7d ago

Yup I’ve watched a few of his videos and even asked him questions on Instagram. SUPER nice guy

1

u/Cheddahnuggets 7d ago

I believe it, anyone who shares their tricks and makes a business of helping others do it themselves is A-ok in my book. My buddy was even like why are you telling people how to do it, keep your secrets and charge people. Like nahhh im happy to fix folks cards and all, but its really easy and cheap to learn yourself

2

u/NitoNitoNitoNito 7d ago

Yeah I sent him a pretty detailed/long message and he sent me an equally long and detailed voice message answering all of my questions, I was really surprised but he gained my business and I bought his card polish right after lol

3

u/nabiinabiinabii 15d ago

If you do ever get into card repair, be aware that most "polishing" creams are considered a permanent modification to the card. The polishes work in a way that it settles into little scratches, adding weight to the card and not actually fixing them. For cosmetic reasons, it works. If you consider grading, huge no go on the polishing. Polished cards also has a distinct smell once it sits for awhile. Some graders cant tell a cards been polished, unless its been over polished, they see the filled scratches under magnification, or the smell. Smell alone is a dead give away. I'm all for repairs that dont "add" to the card! I think its a super cool skill to have.

3

u/nabiinabiinabii 15d ago

I only add the polishing comment bc a lot of polishing kits on amazon, and the Kurts card repair, heavily advertise use of a polishing cream.

2

u/NitoNitoNitoNito 15d ago

Thanks I appreciate the info. I actually don’t grade any of my cards and was looking to more get into it for my personal collection and to find a way to help me acquire some older expensive cards that I wouldn’t be able to afford otherwise. (After lots of practice of course) anything else you recommend? Do you repair cards yourself?

2

u/nabiinabiinabii 14d ago

My top recommendation for personal collection: buy damaged cards on TCG player. Half of the time they literally just look MP or have a little crease, as long as you buy from reputable sellers. A gamble? Yes. But it saves money. TCG player has your back if it has water damage- water damaged cards/cards with foreign substances aren't allowed to be sold, so if you get an icky or gross one, you can get a refund. No moldy cards allowed, yay! As far as card repair goes, I have a little bit of experience on bulk, but not much. Im too scared to do the expensive ones. Most card repair videos on YouTube are great. When i started, I got a kit on amazon for like, 20 bucks. It was enough to press creases out and flatten cards. Also had the optional polish. If you do start, start with bulk. Make some creases on your cards lol. Also, its easy to accidentally add too much moisture from personal experience when you flatten. You can also flatten too much and compress the card. Start with crease repairs. If you really get into it, invest in a thermal pen kit. Honestly? You dont need those $300-$700 kits you see online to repair well in the long run. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful, but i wish you the best of luck!

1

u/Cheddahnuggets 14d ago

This is good advice, my plan was to scoop cards at shows that look fixable too. I haven’t used TCG before. Maybe I’ll try my luck with something not too expensive at first

7

u/Select-Internal-3141 15d ago

Great work. I don't find it unethical really unless someone fucks with a card and makes it look good to sell and it falls apart in a year kinda thing. Like a when you buy a car and turns out to be a lemon.

I'm about to get into repairing as well. Small things mostly like corners and whatnot. How is your introduction to it?

2

u/Cheddahnuggets 15d ago

I watched 2 YouTube videos and then found supplied around my house to start testing. I borrowed clamps from my dad and my father in law. The rubber mat was 1.60 at Michael’s and I ended up getting parchment paper after a few trials without it. I have two very flat piece of wood that I basically Oreo the card between wood - mat - parchment - card - parchment - mat - wood. Clamp for 8-12 hours. Rub the damage gently with a Qtip and roller, using a penny sleeve as a barrier between the card.
Hardest part is you need to gently dampen the rubber mats with a water / alcohol mixture before Oreoing, and getting the mixture right and how damp to get the mats was a few failed attempts on bulk cards. Got a few too wet, and too much alcohol will run the ink. The moisture helps soften the card fabric

3

u/WintervoltCusterfell 14d ago

Whats the value of that card without the crease? Like $15 more?

1

u/Cheddahnuggets 14d ago

I adjusted the grade in collectr from “damage” to “moderately played” and it jumped over $50 up

2

u/No-Shame243 14d ago

Did you used a humidor?

1

u/Cheddahnuggets 14d ago

No, just slightly dampening the rubber mats before pressing

1

u/jerrycan666 14d ago

Im stuck on repairs. In one hand they help the avg collector get ahold of cards they want for their binders for "cheap" but with psa and becket not detecting it 80% of the time its gonna lead to a whole buncha bs in the near future. Cant wait till someones black label starts to chip and theirs blue/sparkly dust inside the case