Removing Toning And Spots

Like many here I am overly cautious when dealing with anything that touches my stamps. I even do not like to water marks check using fluids (this is why I use a Signoscope). I have heard of using a ammonia or hydrogen peroxide vapor process to remove toning. If my memory is correct you place the stamp in a covered container without the fluid coming in contact with the stamp. I must admit that the details escape me and I am seeking someone that knows how to use this process and what results can be expected. I have a mint og strip of three #260 with imprint and block number that need attention.
Thanks
Ron

Ron, A friend of mine uses hydrogen peroxide vapor and swears by it. This is how he does it (I have not tried this method). He has a small plastic rack he make from the bottom of a produce carrier with the square hole grid (like used to be used for strawberries and sometimes pearor cherry tomatoes. He cut it so that the height is about 1-1/2 inch. He saoks a sponge in hydrogen peroxide, places it in the bottom of a tupperware container, sets the rack over the sponge, sets the samps on the rack FACE DOWN, and light covers the container with the lid BUT NOT SEALED, nad allows the vapor to sweat.

The stamps have to be face up to prevent gum damage as the gum will soften slightly. He removes the rack and allows the gum to dry before touching it with the tongs. I have questioned him about gum disturbance and he said he has never seen any problems. He showed me a few that he has done like this and the gum looked good. If I were doing this I would try it on a mint stamp ok little value before I tried it on the strip.

I have also heard of using a q-tip very lightly moistened with hydrogen peroxide directly applied to the front. Several people have said the have used this method and it take several applications to remove the toning. Most said that they dip the q-tip into hydrogen peroxide, roll the tip on a dry paper towel, light wipe it across the affected area and then wipe with a dry q-tip.

Thanks Russ
I will try both methoids and see what happens. I will scan the stamps before and after so we can all see the results. Now where to find a tomato basket?
Ron

Russ, I need some clarification on your instructions. In the second paragraph you state:


Did you not mean to state that the stamp is to be "face down:?
Regards
Mike

I have used the q tip (cotton bud) successfully on used stamps.
but you <have> to neutralise.
Personally, I would leave that strip alone,
it looks fine to me, I cannot see any toning.

There was a discussion a while back on the VSC about a dirty mold spotted type III, 1c 1857, scott #21. It was an extemely well centered stamp and quite uncommon as such. The owner tried to pretty it up, which was fine, but the stamp was damaged in the process and the stains were still there. Very heartbreaking, even for me. Your stamps are sulfuretted and you should expect it to eventually return without proper storage and even that may not be enough.

Ah! sulphuretting not toning.
I can see that.

I have read this on this site as there have been people that has done it but the whole peroxide thing scares me. It just seems the gum would be damaged somewhere some how. Maybe one day I will try this?