Posted by Gerry on September 24, 2001 at 14:41:54:
In Reply to: scotch tape removal posted by richard on September 18, 2001 at 08:52:45:
I have had luck removing tape and tape residue from paper by using Bestine (rubber cement thinner). Bestine is available at lots of art supply and office supply stores, but getting harder to find since the computer has taken over the graphics world. Bestine evaporates very quickly and leaves paper flat (unlike water). I have used it sucessfully on an inexpensive ukiyo-e reproduction and lots of regular papers and artwork that are not japanese prints. I can't vouch for the archival qualities or if it damages tha paper in any way. It won't take away the yellow staining caused by the tape, but I have safely taken off tape with no paper loss. I would be very cautious using it on an old or valuable print. I had a reproduction from the mid part of the 20th c. that was taped down to a matte. I put a few drops of Bestine on the corner of the tape and allowed capillary action to pull it further under, then let it sit for 30 seconds or so to start loosening the adhesive. added another couple of drops, then started teasing the tape up with an exacto blade and tweezers. Kept adding more solvent as the tape lifted. Took a few minutes but all off the tape came off and used cotton balls and Bestine to dab up the sticky reside. Now mind you this was a cheap print that was only going to get worse by leaving it in its current state. I am not a conservator and have no idea what the long range effect will be. I did it as much to experiment as anything. That was about 18 months ago so probably not enough time to really tell if it is a problem or not. All prints are worth saving, it just is that some prints are not yet valuable enough to hire a conservator to preserve them if money is an issue. I am sure this may stir up some contraversy. Really is a dilemma.
By the way, Bestine is somewhat toxic it think, but not anywhere near needing a has-mat suit. Very flammable though. Rubber gloves and a well ventilated area would be a good idea.
Gerry