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Author
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Topic: Fixing paint pen mark on a print
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alanh_7
Member Posts: 1252
From: Ajax, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 02-21-2011 09:58 AM
   
Two years ago I purchased Kim Poor's print "Attitude Hold" signed by Bruce McCandless. I have since had it signed by Hoot Gibson and Vance Brand. Unfortunately when I had Vance sign it, the silver pen he used was not dry (totally my fault) and it left two tiny dots of silver on the print (the autograph is fine and not smudged). The dots cannot be seen unless viewed up close.
Is there anyway to safely remove the two silver marks without damaging the print?
I am not selling the print so it is not an issue of money or value. I would just like to know if it is safe to attempt to remove them or should I just leave it as is, since the dots are so tiny they do not distract from the print at all.
I am going to have it framed soon and need some advise before I do. Thanks guys. |
Spacepsycho
Member Posts: 818
From: Huntington Beach, Calif.
Registered: Aug 2004
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posted 02-21-2011 10:25 AM
There are products available at camera shops designed to remove sharpie and other surface inks from photographic images. However, since you're going to keep this photo and the marks are tiny, I wouldn't touch it. The only thing that's guaranteed not to alter the emulsion layer of a photo or discolor a litho is the dry board eraser used for smart boards commonly found in schools. The chemical composition won't ruin a photo, so it will either cleanly remove the ink or it will have no effect. |
stsmithva
Member Posts: 1933
From: Fairfax, VA, USA
Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 02-21-2011 10:33 AM
That dry board eraser is a good tip. Just to clarify - are you talking about a spray bottle of liquid, or just the old-fashioned chalkboard eraser-like eraser you can hold in your hand? |
Spacepsycho
Member Posts: 818
From: Huntington Beach, Calif.
Registered: Aug 2004
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posted 02-21-2011 11:50 AM
The eraser I'm talking about is the chalk type board eraser, not the spray liquid. If you have a chemically produced glossy photograph, you've got to be extremely careful not to reanimate (liquify) the top emulsion layer because you'll never be able to return the sheen to it's original condition. Lithos are a little easier to work with because it's a printed offset press process where the top layer can't be easily reanimated.There was a thread about this a while ago when an eBay seller removed an inscription, thereby increasing the value and he didn't inform the bidders of the alteration. |
gliderpilotuk
Member Posts: 3398
From: London, UK
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 02-21-2011 11:51 AM
Alan, I'd leave it. Certain readily available solvents can remove sharpie from photographic paper (not lithos), but metallic sharpie is another issue as it is somewhat granular. Given that (a) you have a print, presumably on absorbent paper and (b) it is silver paint pen, I'd leave it well alone. |
alanh_7
Member Posts: 1252
From: Ajax, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 02-21-2011 12:33 PM
Thanks for the advise guys. I appreciate the feed back. Paul I think I will take your advice leave it alone. Its only a couple of silver dots that can only be seen when viewed up close and I think the potential risk of damage outweighs the reward. Thanks again. |
Rob Joyner
Member Posts: 1308
From: GA, USA
Registered: Jan 2004
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posted 02-21-2011 01:06 PM
Just a thought - if the silver dots are on a dark area you could carefully use an extra fine point black Sharpie to darken them so they would be even less noticeable. |
benguttery
Member Posts: 547
From: Fort Worth, TX, USA
Registered: Feb 2005
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posted 02-22-2011 08:36 AM
Leave it alone. You have a story to tell about them and you are probably the only one who notices them. |
alanh_7
Member Posts: 1252
From: Ajax, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 02-22-2011 09:31 AM
I think I am going to leave it as is.I don't like playing with the pen/ink marks because of risk of damage and would not want to make it worse. And its to close to the signature so I don't want to mess with it. I thought there may be a sure fired way to fix it with out risk. I had heard a Q-tip with a little rubbing alcohol might take it off but that sounds pretty risky and its not something I wish to try. I notice the mark of course because I did it myself. Vance Brand and his wife both warned me to let it dry, But I had my hands full and touched it against something. Of course I only noticed it after it was dry. As I said its only two small dots. A little lower and it would have looked like part of the star field. But I don't think it is something I will play with. It does not take away from the print unless you get right close and then its only two small dots. I am going to frame it as is. Thanks for the advise guys. |
NovaRob
Member Posts: 242
From: Tucson, Arizona, USA
Registered: Nov 2008
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posted 02-22-2011 01:27 PM
Do NOT try to remove the ink. "Attitude Hold" is a lithograph, not a photograph. Chemicals and erasers will almost certainly damage the image. |
alanh_7
Member Posts: 1252
From: Ajax, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 02-22-2011 02:14 PM
That's what I thought Rob, but your comments and those of others here re-affirm it. It stays as is.It's a beautiful litho and as the marks cannot be seen unless you are right against next to it, it will hardly be noticed when framed. I learned a valuable lesson however. Once someone tells you to make sure the ink is dry... take their advice. |
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