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Basic Cleaning

  • Writer: David Edwards
    David Edwards
  • Jan 26
  • 4 min read

Updated: Feb 7

Basic cleaning, is a dry cleaning strategy, which can be used to remove dirt from a comic.  It does not use any liquids or chemicals and is not designed to remove any stains. 


The aim is to remove any dirt and oil from hands transferred to the comic before any pressing or humidification begins or before putting the comic into long-term storage.    


The technique shown below is designed to brush the dirt off the comic as opposed to rubbing the dirt around the comic or further into the paper fiber.


PHASE 1 - COTTON SWAB


  • Tip – With “glove on”, rest your hand flat on the comic, to prevent the page cover from moving as you move the cotton rub.   

  • Tip – When the cotton swab gets dirty use another one.

  • Tip – Leave the comic on the backing board to provide stability and prevent spine damage.


STEP 1:

Place the comic vertically flat, starting at the bottom left, in one motion wipe the cotton rub to the of the comic and over the edge.  Repeat this five times starting at the same place, then move to the right and repeat until you reach the edge of the comic.  Be careful not to catch the bottom or top of the book and do not rub the cotton up and down as this may catch the edges of the comic or rub off color.


 







STEP 2:

Rotate the comic to the right 90 degrees, so the spine of the book is at the top.  Starting at the top left edge of the comic;  wipe the cotton rub down to the bottom left and over the edge.  Repeat this five times, then work your way to the right of the repeating processes.


STEP 3:

Rotate the comic to the right 90 degrees, so the spine of the book is on the right side and the comic.  Starting at the top right, wipe the cotton to the bottom right and over the edge.  Repeat this five times, and work your way to the left.














STEP 4:  

Rotate the comic to the right 90 degrees, so the spine of the book is on the bottom.  Starting at the bottom left edge, wipe the cotton rub to the top left and over the edge.  Repeat this three times, and work your way to the left of the book repeating the processes.

Once complete rotate the book 90 degrees completing the full 360 rotation. Gently remove any loose debris from the cover if needed.


PHASE 2: SOFT ERASER


  • Tip – Clean any existing dirt on the edges of the eraser before you use it on the comic.   

  • Tip – Only every pressure of 1-2/10 for this process or color will rub off the comic.

  • Tip – With “glove on”, use your free hand on the comic, to prevent the edges of the page from lifting due to comic friction or you may crease your comic.

  • Tools – Soft rectangle pencil eraser, gloves. 


STEP 1:

Place the comic vertically flat, starting at the Top left about 1 cm below the edge of the page. In one gentle motion using the long edge of the eraser bring the eraser to the bottom left of the comic and off the edge of the page, ensuring the eraser hangs off the edge of the book spine. Then gently repeat one more time. Continue this process moving to the right of the book.










STEP 2:

Rotate the comic to the right 90 degrees, so the spine of the book is at the top. Place the eraser close to the top of the spine, 1.5 CM from the left edge of the comic.  In one gentle motion using the long edge of the eraser, bring the eraser to the bottom left of the comic and off the edge. Repeat this one more time before working your way to the right of the comic.





STEP 3:

Rotate the comic to the right 90 degrees so the spine is on the right, starting at the right and ensuring the eraser overhangs the spine. In one gentle motion using the long edge of the eraser bring the eraser to the bottom right repeat this one more time. Continue this process moving to the left of the book.    










Step 4

Rotate the comic to the left 90 degrees so the spine is back on the top and the comic, and the comic is horizontally flat.  Place the eraser in the top left corner and slowly move diagonally upwards off the page then replace the eraser on the cleft corner again and move to the bottom right.  Repeat this once more time.  Now put the eraser in the top right corner and move the eraser diagonally to the bottom left, repeat this one more time.   


PHASE 2 : MAGIC ERASER POLISH


  • Tip – be very careful at the edges of the comic, do not feel the need to go over the comic more than three times.

  • Tip    –  Apply a light pressure 3/10.

  • Tools – Magic Eraser.


Place the magic eraser on the largest flat surface of the comic, and gently polish the comic using a rubbing circular motion. DO NOT apply a lot of pressure on the eraser as it will remove color.   Ensure to use a straight motion at the edge of the comic, not a circular motion. This polishing process should last longer than 30 seconds.




Turn the comic over to show the back cover and repeat all the stages.


SUMMARY

The basic clean is the basic first cleaning phase, by using this process before any pressing you reduce the likelihood that impurities will transfer and damage the comic at the pressing or warming phase.  It is also the foundation for further dry cleaning or wet cleaning as it gives a basic position on the condition of the comic.


Author David Edwards

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