ever happen to you

[tourze]

you get a success back from a player and it isn't the same card you sent. It's been a very common occurence for me,m happened a few times, but its been happening a lot more lately. Just today, I got a success back from David Carr of the Houston Texans, I sent him a card back in December, I received my envelope back, with not 1, but 2 different cards!! I'm not complaining but I wouldn't want to be the one who sent out 2 and received 1, especially the one I sent where I forgot to remove the gloss!!

[tananeesti]

I had the same thing happen to me last month with Derek Gustafson. However, I did not have the same luck as you, and sent two and only received one totally different one back. Oh well, I gues it's bound to happen. At least I got something back.

[randy b]

Do you remove the gloss so the signature shows up better? Ive got cards back and it looks like there sharpie is running out of ink. If that is why, could you tell me how you remove the gloss please?

Thanks Randy

[tourze]

At first, I never removed the gloss and the autographs came back smudged and runny. With older cards there isnt a problem (no gloss) the new ones virtually all have gloss, thanks to Upper Deck owning most of the market, especially for hockey.

To remove the gloss, there are a few ways to do it, each with its pros and cons

1. baby powder to absorb the gloss, highly effective, but makes a big mess. Also got a few questinoing glances from people who notice the baby powder on my office desk!
2. rubbing the card on a rough surface, some have suggested jeans. This doesn't work as well and could lead to bending corners
3. using an eraser, this is how i do it personally and have noticed a big difference, the leftover eraser shavings can be annoying to clean up, but worth the extra effort!

[Leaf Crazy]

I agree with Tourze eraser is the best way don't use a pink pearl use the white erasers for best results.

Good Luck

Go Leafs Go!!!

[tourze]

and Leafs Crazy, I couldn't agree with you more!

GO LEAFS!!!

On Saturday night, I'll be at a bar in Montreal, with about 300 drunk Habs fans, so this may be my last ever post (if I don't make it out alive!!) Must say, it has been fun!

Leafs rock!

[iBleedGreen]

At first, I never removed the gloss and the autographs came back smudged and runny. With older cards there isnt a problem (no gloss) the new ones virtually all have gloss, thanks to Upper Deck owning most of the market, especially for hockey.

To remove the gloss, there are a few ways to do it, each with its pros and cons

1. baby powder to absorb the gloss, highly effective, but makes a big mess. Also got a few questinoing glances from people who notice the baby powder on my office desk!
2. rubbing the card on a rough surface, some have suggested jeans. This doesn't work as well and could lead to bending corners
3. using an eraser, this is how i do it personally and have noticed a big difference, the leftover eraser shavings can be annoying to clean up, but worth the extra effort!

4. You can buy a spray can of Matte Finish by Krylon at a craft or hardware store (~$3) and apply by spraying a paper towel and wipe the cards. It doesn't take off the gloss, but puts a thin layer over it so the signature does not bead. It leaves some light streaks if you are REALLY examining the card. I usually put 9-10 cards on a piece of cardboard and knock them all out at once and they dry w/in 1-2 minutes. It has worked flawlessly for me for the past 15 years.

[Robot Rabbit]

4. You can buy a spray can of Matte Finish by Krylon at a craft or hardware store (~$3) and apply by spraying a paper towel and wipe the cards. It doesn't take off the gloss, but puts a thin layer over it so the signature does not bead. It leaves some light streaks if you are REALLY examining the card. I usually put 9-10 cards on a piece of cardboard and knock them all out at once and they dry w/in 1-2 minutes. It has worked flawlessly for me for the past 15 years.
Wow...I was actually going to ask this but you guys read my mind!!! I'll try the matte finish, and also the eraser trick, and see what looks/works better.

As for the original question, this has happened to me twice.

More recently, Ryan Suter of the Nashville Predators kept the two cards I sent him (2005-06 Parkhurst RC & 2006-07 Fleer), and instead sent me a signed card from the 2005-06 Rookie Class boxed set.

About 10-12 years ago, I wrote to former St. Louis Blues player Tom Tilley, who was by then playing for the Chicago Wolves. I sent him a 1990-91 OPC card and a 1990-91 Pro Cards card (of him as a Peoria Rivermen). Instead of getting those two cards back. I got back signed a 1993-94 Parkhurst card and a 1993-94 Parkhurst Emerald Ice parallel card. Same card, though one has a silver logo, and one a green logo. I was a bit disappointed.

[uncleguyguy]

I'd go with the eraser, That's what I do and it works good.

[FALCON]

All good ideas, I use the baby powder and just wipe the cards off several times. I tried the eraser but ended up bending a corner to easily. I just find the powder the easiest way to keep from damaging the cards. But the postal service seems to find new ways every day to do that for us!!
Good luck to all!!

[BigBear1888]

I like to use the eraser method. I have used baby powder and corn starch also before. Oh Leafs suck, Go Habs & Pens!

[roaddogg02316]

Just buy those clickable erasers. Those work very well if you are doing in person autos and need to rub something down quickly. Baby powder just gets too messy. I used to find myself just wiping the excess off on whatever I could lol.

[Leaf Crazy]

Hopefully you make it out alive.

I have been in tough situations in montreal being the only guy wearing a leaf jersey on the subway,bars,etc...

Good Luck!!!

Go Leafs Go!!!

[Robot Rabbit]

Hopefully you make it out alive.

I have been in tough situations in montreal being the only guy wearing a leaf jersey on the subway,bars,etc...

Good Luck!!!

Go Leafs Go!!!
Ha! I'm sure you've seen "The Sweater".

I guess art does imitate life :)

[theodore60]

I find the best way to remove gloss is to use a white vinyl eraser. It has worked every time for me. Falcon posted that he has bent corners doing so but I don't rub close to the corners because no one ever autographs in the very corner of the card. I rub the entire card except for about 1 cm from each corner. No bent corners = one happy collector.