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Got some old papers, newspaper clippings, or prints that are looking a little worse for the wear? Have no fear! You can restore and repair damaged, stained, or faded paper without too much trouble. Below we’ve answered your top questions about restoring paper so you can find the best solution for you.
Steps
How do you fix a tear in paper?
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Use acid-free glue and a bone folder for a quick fix. Choose an acid-free glue that dries clear, such as craft glue. Place a piece of wax paper beneath the ripped paper and paint a tiny amount of glue over the tear with a fine brush. Then, place another piece of wax paper over the tear and press the bone folder, which is a dull-edged hand tool used to fold and crease material, over the tear. Allow the glue to dry and then remove the wax paper and bone folder. [2] X Research source
- You can find bone folders at your local craft supply store.
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Use wheat starch paste and Kizukishi paper for a professional repair. Wheat starch paste is the best adhesive to use for paper repairs. Kizukishi paper is thin, Japanese paper that’s great for patching tears. Use a small paintbrush to spread a thin layer of your wheat starch paste over some Mylar paper (to prevent sticking). Cut a strip of the Kizukishi paper to match the size of your tear, press it down into the layer of wheat starch paste, and place it on the tear with a pair of tweezers. [3] X Research source
- Use your fingers to smooth out the sticky paper over the tear so it’s even and consistent.
- You can order wheat starch paste online.
How do you clean old paper prints?
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Use a soft-bristled brush to remove dust. If your old prints have gathered lots of dust, it’s important that you clean them gently so you don’t damage the fragile paper. Take a soft-bristled brush, like an old-style bristle shaving brush, and lightly brush off any dust on the surface. [4] X Research source
- Avoid using a vacuum cleaner, which could potentially suck off loose fragments and damage the paper.
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Remove dirt by gently rubbing the paper with a chemical sponge. A chemical sponge, also known as a smoke sponge, is made from vulcanized rubber and is able to trap dirt in the surface of the sponge. If you have dirty paper prints, rub away the dirt with the dry chemical sponge. When the sponge gets dirty, use scissors or a knife to cut off the dirty surface to expose clean sponge. [5] X Research source
- Make sure the sponge is dry! Water can quickly damage old prints.
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Take prints with foxing stains to professional restorers. Foxing stains are reddish-brown stains that appear on old paper. They’re caused by either mold or iron contaminants and they can be treated by specialized procedures such as gas bleaching with chlorine dioxide gas, laser treatments, and chemical treatments. However, these treatments need to be done by professional restorers, so if you’re trying to remove foxing stains from your old prints, look up paper restorers in your area who can fix the issue. [6] X Research source
Expert Q&A
Video
Tips
- Try to keep your old papers and books away from direct sunlight, which can cause fading or discoloration. [9] X Research sourceThanks
Warnings
- If you’re using bleach, make sure you work in a well-ventilated area and avoid breathing in the fumes.Thanks
References
- ↑ https://www.carrie-lewis.com/fixing-damaged-drawing-paper/
- ↑ https://bookriot.com/book-repair/
- ↑ https://blog.library.si.edu/blog/2013/03/13/the-fix-the-art-of-simple-paper-repair/#.X8TJ8GhKgdU
- ↑ http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/c/caring-for-your-books-and-papers/
- ↑ http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/c/caring-for-your-books-and-papers/
- ↑ https://inspectapedia.com/mold/Foxing_Stains.php
- ↑ https://homesteady.com/12141318/how-to-bleach-yellowed-newspaper-clippings
- ↑ https://acapaperrestoration.com/faq
- ↑ https://www.nypl.org/press/dos-and-donts-taking-care-your-personal-books-home
About This Article
Paper can become faded, torn, and stained over time. The right way to restore damaged paper depends on the type of damage. If you have paper with faded ink on it, take a high-resolution photo of the paper. Then, increase the contrast in the photo to make the ink clearer and easier to read. Print the edited photo out on new paper. If you have paper that's torn, you can use acid-free glue from a craft store to fix it. Set the torn paper on top of a sheet of wax paper and apply the glue to the tear with a small brush. Then, place a second sheet of wax paper on top and press a bone folder over the glue for 1 minute. Let the glue dry for 10 minutes, then peel off the wax paper. To remove stains on paper, first mix equal parts white vinegar and water. Then, lightly dab the mixture onto the stains with a cotton ball to remove them.
