I have been writing about the best practices for protecting your comic books for years. Most comic book readers know about acid-free comic book sleeves, backing boards, and storage boxes. However, professional collectors know more about unique products that take your protection and preservation efforts to another level.
Do you know about absorene putty? It is a special eraser product that archeologists and historians use to clean up fragile paper. Slab bumpers are protective linings that add extra protection to comic book slabs. Pre-loaded sleeves and backing boards save professional collectors hundreds of work hours.
Here are seven unique comic book preservation products that only professional collectors know about.
1. BCW Graded Comic Slab Bumpers
Slab bumpers are taut plastic linings for the sides and corners of graded slabs. While slabs are good for protecting valuable comic books, they are not foolproof. Slabs are prone to chipping, scuffing, cracking, or breaking if you drop them. Professional collectors use slab bumpers as an extra measure of protection for graded slabs that contain valuable comics.
Buy three BCW bumper slabs for $20.95 on Amazon now.
2. BCW Resealable Premade Comic Book Sleeves and Boards (250-Pack)
Professional collectors have been using pre-loaded comic book sleeves and backing boards for a long time. It might cost a little extra, but the tradeoff is that you don’t have to waste time. Owning and maintaining comic books requires a lot of time as well as financial sacrifice. Imagine how long it would take you to manually insert 50, 100, or 250 backing boards into comic book sleeves and then insert a comic.
BCW’s premade sleeves and boards are acid-free and come with resealable flaps. This product will save you tens or hundreds of work hours. Buy a 250-pack for $78 at Amazon now.
3. Case Club Waterproof Case for Slabbed Comics
The case is made of durable polyethylene with stainless steel reinforcements. It is fully waterproof and impact-resistant. The case’s interior features molded protective foam that comfortably protects graded slabs. You can insert 17 slabs in the case with the foam. Or, remove the foam, and you can insert 28 slabs. You can also put 208 raw comics in the case if you wish.
Here are the case’s dimensions: 23″L x 18″ W x 10.5″H.
The case weighs anywhere from 40 to 5 pounds, depending on how many slabs you insert. This case has wheels for easier transport and two points for padlocking.
Buy it now on Amazon for $179.
4. BCW Graded Mylar Comic Book Bags (25-Pack)
Mylar is the brand name for a very durable form of polyester. The manufacturer states that this is an archival-quality product. That means that if you use and seal it properly, then it should last for a lifetime. Instead of a comic book, these Mylar sleeves are meant for use with graded slabs to add extra protection.
Each sleeve is 2 mil thick. Here are the product’s dimensions: 9 x 14 1/4 inches.
Buy a 25-pack for $28 on Amazon now.
5. HYARUAT Top Loaders for Golden and Silver Age Comics
A top loader is a rigid translucent plastic sleeve. It is a more rigid form of a Mylar sleeve. You take a Mylar or comic book sleeve with a backing board and insert it into the top loader for extra protection. Professional collectors use sleeves, backing boards, and top loaders for comics that don’t warrant grading and slabbing.
This product is made of PVC and is optimal for use with Golden and Silver Age comics. Get 10 for $19.99 on Amazon now.
6. Absorene Putty
Absorene is an eraser product that historians, librarians, academics, and even archeologists use to clean dirt, dust, and markings from fragile paper. It is an archival-quality product. Don’t rub it on comic book paper, or you will destroy it. Just lightly dab or roll Absorene putty on comic book covers that you want to clean or restore on your own.
Only use this product dry; never use water. Only professional collectors and those who practice using it should use such a product.
Buy a 15-ounce container for $22 at Amazon now.
7. P.Y.P. Acrylic Magnetic Display Cases
Professional collectors use protective display cases to showcase their favorite comics. This product is made of durable acrylic and features a magnetic closure. The acrylic has a coating that protects your comic from harmful UV rays.
This magnetic display case is wall-mountable and impact-resistant. Here are the dimensions of the product: 12.2″L x 7.87″W x 0.5″H.
Get two display cases for $22.99.
Protect Your Comics Like a Professional Collector
Anyone can buy relatively cheap polyethylene comic book sleeves and backing boards. You’ll be swapping out sleeves every few months or years, depending on the size of your collection. If you’re going to buy protective products for your comic book collection, make sure you buy the ones that will last, save you precious maintenance time, and make organizing your collection easier.
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