Author Topic: How to clean dirt from a poster/box art... (Read 5453 times)

paul waines · « **on:** December 10, 2012, 05:04:38 PM »

Anyone have any ideas how to clean up some box art? I have an old box of Disney Fairy lights I want the box lid cleaned up on. I'll take a pic tomorrow, as it's getting on a bit now.

This maybe a Dario, or Charlie kind of thing, but I just want to make the box look a bit nicer, not a full resto...

paul waines · « **Reply #1 on:** December 11, 2012, 12:31:40 PM »

Not looking so good....

Still here's the box.

CSM · « **Reply #2 on:** December 11, 2012, 02:05:20 PM »

What year do you think that's from Paul?

Charlie · « **Reply #3 on:** December 11, 2012, 02:09:19 PM »

The only thing I can think of with out getting it wet is to use crumbled eraser and to de-acidify it with that book deacidifier spray. You could also work on oils and dirts with alcohol... I routinely cleaned my record albums with 99% that you can pick up from a med supply store. The corner store stuff usually is only 90%. Just use a cotton ball... the 99% evaporates very quickly...

Else, you would have to send it off for washing and strengthening and reassembly... PM did a toy box a while back on their blog...

I am sure Dario will know more...

Silhouette · « **Reply #4 on:** December 11, 2012, 02:25:33 PM »

Quote from: CSM on December 11, 2012, 02:05:20 PM

What year do you think that's from Paul?

They're very cool Paul. Do they work too?

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1938-AD-Christmas-Tree-Lights-Noma-Mazda-Mickey-Mouse-/150788236641

paul waines · « **Reply #5 on:** December 11, 2012, 03:20:43 PM »

Thanks charlie, I may try some of that to the edges, Yvonne is in the medical profession so I'm sure she can get some. I know she has the cotton balls...

I was going to say early 40's Chris, but David's link to the advert sort of puts them spot on, late 30's early 40's.

Yes they do work, there's a couple of small cracks in two of the shades, but they light up. it's not something I would use, as my lights are on a timer, and I'd be very weary about doing the same thing with these...

I just love the old artwork, we had a set of nursery rhymes lights, very similar, but my Dad binned the box...

Silhouette · « **Reply #6 on:** December 11, 2012, 03:25:13 PM »

Quote from: paul waines on December 11, 2012, 03:20:43 PM

Thanks charlie, I may try some of that to the edges, Yvonne is in the medical profession so I'm sure she can get some. I know she has the cotton balls...

I was going to say early 40's Chris, but David's link to the advert sort of puts them spot on, late 30's early 40's.

Yes they do work, there's a couple of small cracks in two of the shades, but they light up. it's not something I would use, as my lights are on a timer, and I'd be very weary about doing the same thing with these... I just love the old artwork, we had a set of nursery rhymes lights, very similar, but my Dad binned the box...

I was trying to understand the Mazda connection, do you think it was simply a license program to promote the brand? Obviously Disney was starting to hit its straps around that time so jumping on the band wagon may have been a good vehicle (pardon the puns)?

paul waines · « **Reply #7 on:** December 11, 2012, 03:39:43 PM »

Do you know I never put the two together, the car company and the lights, and me being a car guy...

Is it the same company..? I would guess not but you never know, as we have had and used Mazda lights/bulbs for years. I do think they were cashing in on the popularity of Disney, as there was other sets, Snow White, and other Disney characters. The big push was to get away from candles on trees, as there was many fires, and these were deemed safer...?? My Nana had a set of Christmas candles with the holders, but we were never allowed to use them because of the fire risk, they went on the tree, but never lit...

I know David will like this, I found a pic of our tree from last year... The train set at the bottom works, quite amuses me...

CSM · « **Reply #8 on:** December 11, 2012, 04:32:24 PM »

Late 30s eh? Nice!

Silhouette · « **Reply #9 on:** December 11, 2012, 05:01:02 PM »

Quote from: paul waines on December 11, 2012, 03:39:43 PM

Do you know I never put the two together, the car company and the lights, and me being a car guy...

Is it the same company..? I would guess not but you never know, as we have had and used Mazda lights/bulbs for years. I do think they were cashing in on the popularity of Disney, as there was other sets, Snow White, and other Disney characters. The big push was to get away from candles on trees, as there was many fires, and these were deemed safer...?? My Nana had a set of Christmas candles with the holders, but we were never allowed to use them because of the fire risk, they went on the tree, but never lit...

I know David will like this, I found a pic of our tree from last year... The train set at the bottom works, quite amuses me...

Ahhhhh of course - Mazda light bulbs, I never made that connection just made the assumption it was the car company, but of course I know the light bulb brand too. That was (is?) a brand owned GE who also owned British Thomson-Houston.

A train set that works! OMG that is so cool...gotta find me one for this year's Christmas tree...oh wait, I'm not in charge of decoration.

Silhouette · « **Reply #10 on:** December 11, 2012, 05:03:33 PM »

Just found this:

General Electric dropped the Mazda trademark in 1945, and ceased licensing the name as well. This cutoff date gives the collector a handy benchmark to use when trying to apply a date of manufacture to a light bulb. Only leftover stock carried the Mazda name on any General Electric or Westinghouse lamp sold after the 1945 cutoff.

http://www.oldchristmastreelights.com/the_mazda_lamp_story.htm

CSM · « **Reply #11 on:** December 11, 2012, 05:15:57 PM »

Way to put that shovel to work David

paul waines · « **Reply #12 on:** December 11, 2012, 05:54:21 PM »

Man that little dog can dig....

Thanks for the info, very interesting. I love old Christmas stuff, I may have to get up in my Dad's loft and see what he has left...

guest4251 · « **Reply #13 on:** December 11, 2012, 11:11:45 PM »

Hi Paul,

What Charlie said.

For eraser. I use this product http://www.staedtler.ca/Mars_plastic_na

Just go gently at start so you don't take any of the image off.

That is a cool set!

Best,
dario.

paul waines · « **Reply #14 on:** December 12, 2012, 01:44:51 AM »

Thanks Dario,

It seems crazy you can use an Eraser to clean
dirt from a box, but it's my first port of call.

Matt · « **Reply #15 on:** December 12, 2012, 03:36:16 AM »

Hey Paul, have they got coloured lights or colored lights?

CSM · « **Reply #16 on:** December 12, 2012, 09:37:50 AM »

Quote from: Matt on December 12, 2012, 03:36:16 AM

Hey Paul, have they got coloured lights or colored lights?

Definitely coloured!

paul waines · « **Reply #17 on:** December 12, 2012, 11:27:57 AM »

Most definitely Coloured he says with his little finger in the air...

Ari · « **Reply #18 on:** December 12, 2012, 08:25:41 PM »

But do you use an erasure or a rubber?

CSM · « **Reply #19 on:** December 12, 2012, 10:16:54 PM »

I say "eraser"

Silhouette · « **Reply #20 on:** December 12, 2012, 11:33:10 PM »

You'd definitely need to use a rubber if you went with erasure

Ari · « **Reply #21 on:** December 13, 2012, 12:35:57 AM »

Oops

paul waines · « **Reply #22 on:** December 13, 2012, 01:40:26 AM »

I always use a rubber on a box...

Matt · « **Reply #23 on:** December 13, 2012, 01:51:36 AM »

Oppps, me got the subject off topic. My bad.

Any info on the Mazda part of the equation? Too lazy to google that right now.

Cool box I should add!

Silhouette · « **Reply #24 on:** December 13, 2012, 03:23:31 AM »

Quote from: Matt on December 13, 2012, 01:51:36 AM

Any info on the Mazda part of the equation? Too lazy to google that right now.

Read further up...I threw some light on the subject

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Author Topic: How to clean dirt from a poster/box art... (Read 5453 times)

Charlie

guest4251

Matt

Matt