Using fine sandpaper

I went back over old posts to find info about removing old and in this case, (withdrawn mark ) on edges . I followed old advice as to using a very very fine sandpaper .. And happy to report Back it was very effective up to a point of getting rid of 90per cent of ink stamp and impressively got rid of ingrained dust and dirt so book freshened up very nicely . also found sand paper , used gently , better than an eraser in eliminating unwanted marks on thick paper Within a book (not to br used on text, just fly leaf). I have also experimented with using a bleach mixture on a cotton wool bud applied in a careful way on ink marks, but work quickly so mixture does not stick around for long to cause ripple effect . ironing pages can work too .. I know this sounds extreme but something may be precious enough to put time and effort in and one's kitchen is very adaptable. I am keen on home done restoration for the amateur .

Thanks. That's very timely for me. I'd been thinking of creating a thread asking about getting rid of the ingrained dust you sometimes find on the tops of the pages of used books. Using an abrasive like that had never occurred to me - and I'm glad someone else has tried it first!

I am looking for a way to remove foxing (little spots where it looks like water splashed up onto the book, discoloring the top edge of the text block) from page edges without having to un-bind the book and trim the page edges. Any suggestions? I wonder if sandpaper would work for this. I might try it on a throw away book.

>3 andrewsd:: Our book repair person uses very fine sandpaper for just such applications, andrewsd! Give it a try.

>4 redpersephone: Exciting! I will go to the hardware store and see what I can find. Any advice on technique?

I have tried bleach diluted in the kitchen sink to clean up old maps printed on rag paper , (not wood pulp ) These are single sheets . this will remove fixing very effectively , first treat in The water bleach solution and then plain water and then leave paper to dry , and then iron , such paper is remarkably tough and with careful handling will survive . I use old towels to mop up water and to provide an absorbent surface. books with fixing I, d try diluted ibleach on cotton bud and also try sanding with The finest sand paper. The better the quality of The paper the better it will withstand the treatment .