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Buzz New user 29 Posts |
Anyone have any tips on lightly cleaning the face on cards? I scrub my hands like a surgeon before handling my cards, but they still end up with dirty marks on the edges where my thumb or forefingers grab them. I have tried a bit of dampness and other things, but they seem to deteriorate very quickly after that. The finish on cards wears off down to the paper mighty fast. I only buy Bicycle cards, so I don't believe the cards are the problem. I don't mind on a regular deck, but on gimmicked decks like NFW, The Web, and others, they get real expensive to replace. Any kind of restorer you can put on them to bring them back to new?
Thanks, Buzz |
Card-Shark Inner circle Germany 1758 Posts |
Your question is like asking how to reapply rubber to your tires. And you drive not very fast and take the turns very slowly to avoid rubbing off the wheels.
Playing cards are somehow like these tires. They wear off. Even on best handling, they will get old and have to be replaced.
Expert in playing card production for magicians.
The Person Who Says It cannot Be Done Should Not Interrupt The Person Doing It! Chinese Proverb |
Logan Inner circle 2289 Posts |
It's inevitable, but you can slow it down.
I think you're doing a fine job as it is. How long does it take for your deck to become unusable? I personally take about 1-2 months, but that's only because I'm not performing seriously at this time. When I am, it'll be done by the end of the month.
You've been hit by, you've been struck by, a smooth criminal.
Singapore's Hairiest Corporate Comedy Magician! |
DomKabala Inner circle I've grown old after diggin' holes for 2827 Posts |
The edges of cards are the first to show age, as they tend to absorb the oils and dirt on your hands. The face and back surfaces will last longer, but with repeat shuffling and handling, they will show wear in time. There is no solution or restorer that will keep your cards in pristine condition forever. Keeping your hands clean can help to prolong the life of your cards. Packet tricks really show their mileage, especially if you perform or practice a lot. One tip is to practice the sleights required with other cards (Elmsleys, Jordans, Hammans, etc.).
Location (where you live) can also help shorten the life span of cards. Here in Florida, during the hot and humid summer season, you can go thru a deck of cards within a week, as the humidity will soak in quickly and distort them. Take a damp cloth and lightly wipe the surfaces. Any more than twice will adversely affect the finish, and you'll notice that fanning becomes difficult...time to invest in some new cards. Cardamagically, <<<KRaZy4KaRdZ>>>
We don't stop playing when we grow old...we grow old when we stop playing.
God is enough, let go, let God. Gal 2:20 "Anything of value is not easily attained and those things which are easily attained are not of lasting value." |
CardMaker Inner circle Ludwigsburg/GERMANY 1063 Posts |
Before using a new deck, make some small preparations:
Smooth the edges! Although the cards are die cut, their edges are not smooth at all; they are rough like the Rocky Mountains, when taking a very closer look. So just use a nail file, the one with the 3 sides (white, pink and grey). Take the whole deck, as a block, and sand down all its 4 edges - a LITTLE! - using the white (or better, the pink side) of the nail file. This makes the cards edges smooth and prevents the deck from catching so much dirt. It's done quick and easy, but helps a lot. These treated decks also feel better.
CardMaker/Bernd Maucksch
Finest gaffed cards for magicians |
Buzz New user 29 Posts |
Thanks all,
I'm got a month out of the last two decks, only because I'm still getting my chops together. I am trying to live with them, doing fans, Charlier cuts, card springs, and the like. I was told that the only way to really get comfortable with cards is to do this. It seems to be working. The hands and fingers are starting to work together as a team. My packet cards really take a beating. I suppose because the same 4 or 5 cards keep getting handled a hundred fold, over and over. Thanks for all the help, everyone, and I will try these suggestions. Buzz |
Robert Apodaca Special user 504 Posts |
Does anyone here use fanning powder for the cards? I've never used them, but it claims to make your cards last longer. Another alternative may be buying Master Bicycle Decks.
Personally, I buy a 12 pack at Costco for $,14 and that lasts me a very long time. |
DomKabala Inner circle I've grown old after diggin' holes for 2827 Posts |
Here is what some folks say about fanning powder...
http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......;forum=2 Cardamagically, <<<KRaZy4KaRdZ>>>
We don't stop playing when we grow old...we grow old when we stop playing.
God is enough, let go, let God. Gal 2:20 "Anything of value is not easily attained and those things which are easily attained are not of lasting value." |
GWSchott Veteran user Southeastern Michigan 361 Posts |
Disposable heroes. Unless it's an expensive gaffed deck, I don't do anything to preserve the cards, save for washing my hands before using them. I figure they're basically just treated paper, and how long can paper really last, regardless what you do to it?
Yours In Magic,
Gordon |
JimMaloney Inner circle 1184 Posts |
Wesley James had some excellent tips for maintaining your cards in his book "Enchantments". While I haven't applied it, personally (not a professional, so I don't go through cards very quickly), I have a friend (who is a professional) that has tried it out and has noticed a dramatic difference in how long a particular deck remains usable.
-Jim
Books and Magazines for sale -- more than 200 items (Last updated January 17th, 2014. Link goes to public Google Doc.)
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Andy the cardician Inner circle A street named after my dad 3362 Posts |
Cardmaker,
How about using sandpaper instead of a nail file? Andy
Cards never lie
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CardMaker Inner circle Ludwigsburg/GERMANY 1063 Posts |
Andy,
Fine grid sandpaper will work, too.
CardMaker/Bernd Maucksch
Finest gaffed cards for magicians |
Andy the cardician Inner circle A street named after my dad 3362 Posts |
Thanks CardMaker,
This is very, very interesting. How much shall I work on the sides? Would it help if I work on each card individually, rather than brushing over the whole pack? I believe the treatment will make the cards glide better, as the edges will not "dull" so fast. Am I right? Thanks a lot, Andy
Cards never lie
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CardMaker Inner circle Ludwigsburg/GERMANY 1063 Posts |
You are right.
But always treat the whole deck at once, all 4 sides.
CardMaker/Bernd Maucksch
Finest gaffed cards for magicians |
Andy the cardician Inner circle A street named after my dad 3362 Posts |
Thanks, CardMaker.
It's always good to have an expert around... Andy
Cards never lie
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