What a card restoration attempt actually includes

“Restoration” gets used for everything from a wipe to a full rebuild. We do not rebuild. We assess the card, write a plan, and attempt only the work that still looks honest on the finished piece.

Two published paths

The lighter tier is pregrade review, microscope cleaning, and a polish. That is for cards that are mostly dirty or lightly marked, not structurally bent.

The deeper path is a repair attempt. That can include a wipe down, microscope cleaning, scratch reduction, work on some dents and minor creases, help with warping, and polishing. A complete repair is not always possible. The name is the point: we attempt the improvement we described, then show you the result.

What stays off the bench

We do not fill missing paper or ink. We do not recolour whitening. We do not rebuild corners or trim edges. We do not promise a grade. If a method would change whether the card still reads as original, we will not use it.

Lifted edges are only worth discussing when the original material is still there. Tears and heavy paper loss are usually a no.

Documentation is part of the job

You approve a written plan before shipping. When the work is done, you get before-and-after photos. If you later sell or grade the card, keep that file. Improved appearance is not original condition.

If you are unsure which path fits, email photos. The assessment is free and we will say when the honest answer is to leave the card alone.