old books?

Question

Does anyone in the yahoo community know a good way of reconditioning old books that have been in a damp atmosphere?

Answer 1

Torn pages and dustwrappers
Old dustwrappers often have tears and rips and these can be neatly repaired using clear Scotch tape or 'filmoplast'. You must never use sellotape as this will crack and discolour in time. Filmoplast is an archival quality, acid-free document repair tape and once applied, is almost invisible. Slightly more expensive, but well worth the money. This can also be used on ripped or torn pages. Always repair dustwrappers on the inside for a better finish.

Foxing
This is the term given to rust-coloured spots that are common on pages of old books, due to the impurities of the paper produced at that time and exposure to damp or mouldy conditions. Foxing is a type of fungus and will spread unless treated. There is a substance called Chloramine-T which is applied with an applicator to the affected area. This neutralises the fungus and continued applications help whiten the rust spots.

Cracked Hinges & Split Spines
These can be repaired with a special book adhesive that is flexible when dry and dries clear for a professional finish.

Old Sellotape
Old sellotape marks can be removed with a special adhesive solvent that removes tape from paper surfaces without fuss. It can also help to remove staining from sellotape. Never try to remove sellotape without the use of a proper chemical remover.

Writing & Scribbling Marks
Pencil can easily be removed by a good quality rubber, however if the pencil was used with a lot of pressure, you will still have some indentations left on the paper. Take care to rub out in one direction and hold the page tightly between two fingers to avoid the page creasing. Pencil is a lot harder to remove if it is over a colour illustration, as the illustration will be worn away slightly with your rubber.
Biro/Ink/Felt tip & Wax Crayon are almost impossible to remove and it is perhaps better not to attempt it. Some biro rubbers may work slightly but there is always an impression left behind on the page. Don't be tempted to tear out whole pages of books as some people do - this will only devalue the book completely.

Tobacco/Mouldy Odours
To remove unsavoury smells of any kind, simply place your book in a cardboard box, filled with scrunched-up newspaper and leave for several days. This usually takes the smell away completely.

Hope that covers some of your problems

Answer 2

First off - you'll have to dry them out thoroughly - so they need to be placed in a DRY atmosphere. This might take a few weeks.

Once they are dry - then you'll need to take them to a restorer who will strip the existing bindings and replace with new binding. Depending on the book and it's intrinsic value - this could be quite expensive and you then need to decide whether the cost of rebinding the book is more than either the intrinsic or sentimental value of the book.

Answer 3

If the books are covered in a woven fabric, then fresh bread rubbed over the stained covers might help. The airing cupboard is a good place if they are not wet... if they are really wet you will stick the pages together if you let them dry like that...so kitchen paper between every page to dry them off...If they are leather you will need to find an old fashioned bookbinder to recover them (if they are worth it) Good luck

Answer 4

Place them under bright sun for five days. If it is cloudy or there is too much humidity in the atmosphere use lamps with cool bulbs to make them conditioned. Then keep the books in separate plastic pouches.

Answer 5

I microwaved a book to get rid of a fusty smell. It worked but I don't know if it would work with all books,staples or gilding might be a problem.

Answer 6

are they moldy? i would put them in a box with some charcoal briquets for awhile...it will absorb moisture and smell...

sometimes there is not much you can do with old books...the paper gets all spongy...and they fall apart....wipe off the mold .. then keep them just to enjoy.

Answer 7

Try taking it to your local library. They can do a lot when it comes to fixing books.

Answer 8

get a new one?