Post-It Note Strips And Used Stamps

Wow Rev! Thanks for posting that... I JUST got back from Staples and bought a roll of Scotch 811 Removable tape!

It does say "Photo-safe in accordance with ISO Standard 18916". I have not googled this yet... way to hot here, 35c (95 deg F).

OK, thank you, revstampman! In the past, when another collector contacted them, they would not comment because they could not give a definitive answer either way.

I have definitely seen that happen with the Post-It notes. I was under the impression that the 811 was a slightly different formulation (but of course, they won't give any details).

Oh, well, back to Dennisons... and back to square 1 in our search for a better alternative. I had always assumed there would be some leaching, because that is true of ALL materials, including those "archival" mounts that we spend big bucks on. I'll keep the cheapies that I have tested and check them again in 20 years (if I'm still alive and my wife hasn't thrown them away!).

Thanks again! We should have kept following up with them until they could give us an answer.

k

Always best to use the backdoor. As a patent Atty. My Brother was 1st an Engineer. I called him to see if he knew anyone @ 3M He did. I Had him Reach Out to a former College/Frat. Buddy who works for them. Next thing you know I had an answer.

That's true! Back in my research days, we had our guy at 3M as well for those specialty adhesives and consults. But that was way back when and those guys aren't around anymore.

This project will be on the back-burner. We will simply observe how significant the leaching will be under normal conditions.

As I've stated before, more knowledge helps to make informed decisions! Thanks again!

k

Revstampman, please thank your brother on my behalf!

k

Very good info, I never expected my question to generate such a good answer thanks to all that helped!

so I guess my plan to use them on stock pages as a temporary step will work fine, seems that using them on extras to trade should be ok too.

thanks again,

SHOOT! Now I have to think of my next big question to keep you all busy so I can catchup with stamps...

Ed

Thanks revstampman for the info. I had not bought a roll yet, got distracted.

Thanks Kim for all the research and continuing interest.

So I guess the best thing is something that, if it does leach, and it will I guess, then you could mostly clean the remaining residue off with a good soak in water?

Like hinge gum residue?

Wow! I've never been on a forum where a HUGE percentage of my posts are like ---> HOLY BATMAN - I didn't understand that.

But this forum is just a bundle of new facts and figures.

In fact, I make a nice cup of tea nad settle down to the SCF each night.

OK, so I know this thread has been beat to death, and probably most people wont use the 811 removable tape however...

I just tried the stuff today and I got to say I LOVE IT!!
its like a dream on and off, holds 100% better than I thought and I got to say its going to be hard not to use it on all the stamps.
for now I'm using it on backstock, duplicates to trade under the primary stamp, and ones I'm unsure of their location.

application is a snap, I have $5 tape dispencer, 1 finger thickness stick the flap to the stamp fold over and press on book done way easier then a sticky hinge.

I got to say its so nice to have an option to be able to move a questionable stamp around without even the slightest worry of ripping the stamp or page.
anyway, I had to say this after trying it.

I would say short time use it! Just NOT long term.

The real issue is proper storage. All chemicals will leach slowly over time; the only question is, how much. Even those supposed "archival" mounts will also cause damage to stamp under the "wrong" storage conditions. Collectors have also been warned to stay away from the older plastic stockpages in which the chemical softeners used can leach out and react with the stamp. Yeah, I've seen collections where all the stamps on certain pages were toned because of those types of stocksheets. In general, you should NEVER buy stocksheets for which you cannot identify the manufacturer.

Edwin, if you are going to use the 811, observe the following rules:

1. Keep away from elevated temperatures and moisture.
2. NEVER NEVER NEVER store your pages stacked. Have them vertically in a binder or something similar -- and make sure they aren't packed too tight.

Pressure and heat accelerate gum reflow, leaching, most chemical reactions... so the above points apply to ALL methods you use to store your collection (INCLUDING stockbooks, albums, stockpages, mounts, glassines...).

Don't think that just because you spend a few hundred dollars on the most "archival" supplies, that you can ignore the storage rules.

Store your stamps properly, then those "archival" mounts, stockbooks, stockpages... should protect the stamps well for 50-100 years with no problems. Obviously, the 811 stability sounds like more of a problem.

I know this is an old post, but was just on 3M's web site and found this confirmation as to the type of adhesive used on Scotch Removable 811's versus Post-It Notes:

Scotch® Magic™ Removable Tape
Same self-stick adhesive as popular Post-it® Notes. Holds securely, yet can be removed or repositioned. Can be written on. Available in a variety of lengths, widths and core sizes.

Ya, I abandoned the idea after seeing Stamp virgins book of horrors, that we all bought a bit of, I just didn't want to take a chance

HOWEVER, the 811 tape works GREAT on glassines, display cards, and such so I can write whats in them then when I finish the lot or display card I peel it off and use it again!

kjh: Are you still using the 811 tape? Any observations after 5 years?

Terry

I've been asked for a follow up.

Regarding the 811, in general, I no longer participate in the discussion threads on this topic here on SCF. I know an ongoing discussion by others in private and elsewhere. I am not interested in asking them to bring the discussion here, as it is a research/application discussion, not an "are you crazy?" discussion.

I have used 811 very sparingly compared to other users, because I primarily use stockbooks/stockpages, hingeless albums, and Dennison hinges. So I am not the best person to ask regarding actual long term results.

In my limited use, I have not run into any problems other than the difficulty in "folding" the 811, but I've been careful about how I use it and also not using it on stamps where there might be a problem (e.g., stamps printed on porous paper, stamps with high acid content in gum). I'm very observant about even the most trivial damage (e.g., fingerprints on gum). So I don't say it casually that I haven't run into any stamp problems. However, others HAVE run into some problems, and I have learned from their experiences. One should definitely not run with 811 blindly, or even with a basic understanding of when/how to use it unless you are prepared to waste some stamps.

If you are serious about using it, you should discuss with those who are using 811 in significant quantities to find out details, especially when NOT to use 811 and how to use it properly. Using 811 is still at the research level. Like conventional hinges or even high quality mounts, if not used properly, you will end up with damaged stamps. In other words, sometimes the problem is not with the product. So I don't recommend using 811 if you are a collector looking for a quick substitute. You do have to spend some time understanding the product and also knowing your stamp.

Beyond that, I will not be posting anymore public replies or comments in this forum.