1967 Tank Sticker Restoration

[Penelope Clements]

Hello All! I just replaced my original tank that was rusting from the inside out. I carefully took off the tank sticker which is covered with 39 years of road grime. It is very frail and in two pieces but it seems as if it can be very gently dusted off. How do I go about cleaning it but also maintaining it's integrity?

Thanks in advance for your help,
PC

[Warren F.]

Re: 1967 Tank Sticker Restoration

Penelope,

Once the document has been removed, I usually get a very soft bristle artists brush and gently sweep the dust,grime off as best you can and then get a piece of archival acid free paperstock and place the document on it and insert it in a plastic sleeve. I usually just keep these in a desk drawer out of direct sunlight and in a fairly constant temperature environment.

[Penelope Clements]

Re: 1967 Tank Sticker Restoration

Thanks Warren. I assume that I can purchase the archival paper at a crafts store?

[Warren F.]

Yes, indeed. *NM*

[Kent K.]

Re: 1967 Tank Sticker Restoration

Penelope ----

First of all, according to an article I recently read regarding restoration of such documents, do not brush or blow off the dust. The author recommended using Scum-X powder (available at architecture/engineering supplies or blueprinting establishments) very lightly sprinkled over the document and VERY gently rubbing in circles to collect the dust. The whole idea against blowing/brushing it off is that the dust can take some/all of the ink with it. If you check the archives, there was a lead to another web site that had several articles about professional restoration of these fragile papers. Best thing to do is almost nothing. Put it in a chemical free container (if there was such) that does not touch the readable side and store it in a stable light free environment until you have thoroughly researched the method you are comfortible with to clean it.

Hopefully, someone else saw that link to the stories about gas tank sticker restoration and will add their $0.02.

Good luck, Kent #6201