Stamp Cleaning

Hello all good to be back after a busy summer. Over the summer I have bought some misc stamp albums, garage sales etc etc. One which I paid $3.00 has some stamps that were mounted with tape, (1950-60's)There is a brown stain on them I was wondering how to best clean them if I can.

First of all, I only plan on using these stamps to fill in some blanks in my own collection, and are not for resale. Once I find better ones to replace them I will.

I have heard to use Zippo fluid, some say dish detergent, hydro peroxide and more radical approach is bleach.

Any thoughts be appreciated.... could be a good winter project I think for me...

Thanks all

AFAIK one cannot clean the stain,
you can remove the gum with white spirits
and endure the blotch.

Stamp Cleaning ? I would not recommend it !!

Stamps with scotch tape residue on them are generally considered worthless by most collectors. Some have tried removing tape in different ways with varying levels of success. Here's one recommendation (although I haven't tried it myself):



Look at it this way: Try it. If you fail, nothing much is lost, as the stamp was damaged with the tape anyway; if it works, that's great! Bottom line: It never hurts to try.

thanks... I just want to use them for fillers until I find better ones.... nothing to loose but time and a little money..I say

Here is what has worked for me. I don't recommend doing this to any sound stamp but if you must- Use a small dish, add some liquid body soap (like Axe -lol), add some hot/warm water and a capful of hydrogen peroxide (2 for real stubborn stains). soak for up to an hour. rinse in a small dish of clean water and press between a folded paper towel in a heavy book for the night.

I don't think yellow tape stains will come out with anything. I'd have to agree with the previous comments, worthless.
Have you considered following up the lighter fluid with a match?

Use Stamp lift, that should take care of the tape thing.

I actually had same issue few months ago with mh stamps.And tried to soak it in the room temperature distilled water for 20 minutes,got rid of the gum and the "see thru" view of the stamp in the hinged area,if you know what I mean.But the discoloration still was there.So then I decided to lightly apply the hydrogen peroxide with cotton swab directly on affected area,but the results were very minor.So I guess best way still is the simple water method.

Thanks all;... just wanted to use these stamps as filler until I found some better ones.. Half the stamp are good the other half,,,maybe gas and a match after all...lol

If you search the SCF Archives you will find a LOOOONG thread with some very good results of some members (Myself included). A few of the listed methods showed very good results.