Baby Powdering Cards-Help!

[jrtowles46]

Hey guys,

I am thinking of switching to baby powdering my cards instead of using eraser to get the gloss off cards for IP/TTM autos. I have used erasers for years, but I am thinking about switching it up! However, I have a few questions that I was hoping some of you guys could answer:

Is there any difference in the quality of the gloss removal if you use baby powder? In other words, does one work better than the other (eraser vs. baby powder)?

What is the proper technique for baby powdering them (i.e. do you just put one coat on, do you apply directly to card, etc.)?

And, MOST IMPORTANTLY, is there a specific brand of baby powder that is prefered or works better than the others??

Like I said, I have used erasers ever since I started removing gloss from cards, so I basically have no idea!

Thanks and plmk,
ROB

 

[jeff550]

Hey guys,

I am thinking of switching to baby powdering my cards instead of using eraser to get the gloss off cards for IP/TTM autos. I have used erasers for years, but I am thinking about switching it up! However, I have a few questions that I was hoping some of you guys could answer:

Is there any difference in the quality of the gloss removal if you use baby powder? In other words, does one work better than the other (eraser vs. baby powder)?
don think theres a difference, babby powder is just easier

What is the proper technique for baby powdering them (i.e. do you just put one coat on, do you apply directly to card, etc.)?
put it right on the card, rub it around and then take it off, look on youtube if you like, as there are some good videos
And, MOST IMPORTANTLY, is there a specific brand of baby powder that is prefered or works better than the others??
brand dosent matter, but make shure its talk babby pwder not corn starch babby powder
Like I said, I have used erasers ever since I started removing gloss from cards, so I basically have no idea!

Thanks and plmk,
ROB

there you go

 

[predatorkj]

You don't really need to baby powder them at all. I use a napkin and wipe the surface for about a minute. Only where you want the auto. No need to rub the whole card down and most guys are pretty cool about signing in the right place. IMO...there is no need for baby powder or erasers or anything like that. Just a napkin or a shirt sleeve. It works on anything glossy. Never had a card come out messed up either. Even on Bowman Chrome rookies.

 

[subject to change]

I strongly prefer using baby powder over any other method. Unlike using an eraser, which physically removes the gloss from the card, the baby powder just helps the auto 'stick,' and IMO is less noticeable and less damaging to the card's surface.

For lower gloss cards (base Topps, Bowman, UD, etc) i usually just apply a very light sprinkling of one or two gentle shakes, and then wipe that around the card with a kleenex or my finger. While you can generally assume where a player will sign, I like to get as much area as possible powdered, since I have had a few instances where I was in a rush and only powdered the likely autograph area and then ended up with a small portion of the auto bubbling because it was outside that area.

For heavier gloss cards, I usually apply the powder a little more liberally, but the technique remains the same. As far as what brand, I don't think there is really any difference in the actual contents...they are pretty much just pure talcum powder. However, I would suggest trying to find an unscented baby powder. If you are prepping dozens of cards at a time, that smell will give you a headache real quick :lol:

My best suggestion would be to grab some commons, a sharpie, and a container of powder and test the method out.

 

[jeff550]

dont get cornstarch babay powder, make shure it has talk

 

[jrinne]

I use baby powder on all my glossy cards. Stay away from the eraser.

 

[imac220]

I have tried both, and they both work the same IMO

 

[goblue6919]

Baby powder is better than eraser although eraser works if you are in a rush.

Buy some Johnson & Johnson babypowder, dump a small mound on the car then use toilet paper and rub lightly (for any bdp, topps or upper deck card) or use even more baby powder and rub roughly for a decent amount of time for chrome and tri star cards which are extra glossy. I then have a spare t-shirt handy and wipe the baby powder off of the card. Make sure you get it all off because if you don't the auto will come crappy.

Good luck

 

[predatorkj]

I'm telling you you don't need baby powder. I could post some examples of cards I have had signed that were glossy and I didn't use anything but a shirt or napkin.

 

[jeff550]

I'm telling you you don't need baby powder. I could post some examples of cards I have had signed that were glossy and I didn't use anything but a shirt or napkin.

id love to see some ttm examples

 

[predatorkj]

Now I will say not every one of these had a super glossy surface. But its also my opinion that every card needs to be rubbed down some.

This Walter was on a glossy version because that is the only card I had dupes of and I only get cards I have dupes of signed normally. From the scan it may look a little spongey but trust me...it is totally the scanner. I have never in my life had an auto bubble. I simply watched and learned from other people's mistakes.

This Casey was from the same set but the non glossy version.

This set is pretty good for autos done in marker as well. Have a few guys from this set.

Now...foil has always scared the hell out of me. I have hardly ever seen a good auto on a foil card. Even buy backs and whatnot can be ugly. Now the scan may make it look ugly as hell but in person it shines beautifully. The weird thing is...it looks like it bubbled where it hits the foil but if you see it in person, you can tell it in fact did not. The foil merely shines through any of the tiny holes the marker didn't encapsulate. All in all I was very surprised and happy with the way this came out.

And this card came out beautifully. The scan, as usual sucks but lay the blame on ym scanner. We purchased it at Walmart for next to nothing.

I have several baseball cards done too. Most of them are on topps or UD but the UD cards are the ones that are bad about bubbling since they have some hellacious gloss. Most of my topps ones are from older years when there was no gloss. The new ones I don't get signed much because I don't open a whole lot of base topps(I am a set collector by trade so I only open a few blasters worth to get cards for my PC and then I buy the sealed set). I am also not a fan of getting a card with a facsimile auto already on it signed with the real deal. Too redundant to me. Occasionally I'll break that rule. If I have some more time I may go digging through my baseball boxes to find some but as it stands...I have about a zillion three row boxes that are all alphabatized so it will take a while to pull some of them out.


My intent though is that you don't need to wipe baby powder for the auto to stick without bubbling. I know I can't make you guys trust me but let me put it to you like this:

I am a meticulous person when it comes to getting autos. I hang out with and attend several events a year with friends to get autos and have a very great track record when it comes to not getting a messed up sig. I always have been able to pick the right marker for the right card and get the best result. Same can be said from photos to bats to helmets to basketballs to baseballs to footballs and GU gloves. I am pretty hardcore about making sure each item is the right surface for what I want to use. I don't take items as they come usually. Normally I go out and find the kind of item with the kind of surface I want to use.I have had many a friend who got a screwed up auto even after I told them it would not work out well. I follow certain rules and have been very, very good with what I end up getting. I have also been able to change a multitude of people's minds when it comes to what to use.
And I never, ever, under any circumstances, let an athlete sign something in a way that I did not intend. I have had it happen to me twice and it will never happen again. I am the type of guy who told Deion Sanders to stop cold turkey because he was signing my mini helmet upside down. I had no idea that was how he signs but I told him to stop so I could find out what was going on first.

IMO...I'd tell you guys to experiment and see what works best for you. But always remember that all the effort you have to go through to get an auto, well...its worth making damn sure you get what you want every time.