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Classic/Antique Car Repair/Removing tape residue from old dealer's license

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Expert: - 6/23/2010


Question
40 yrs. ago a dealer's license was scotch taped to the window of our car.  It was eventually taken off of the window, the tape was removed, and the license was folded.  Now, 40 yrs. later, I would like to unfold the license, but it is stuck together with the tape residue that was left on the paper.  How can I unfold this paper without harming it?

Answer
This way outside nuts and bolts, but if it was me I would contact someone that deals in old books and paper. There are conservators that deal with this stuff all day long.
Brad

I feel that the rating that you gave me is unfair. I had thought of steam but evey time I have steamed paper I end up with a wrinkled paper. Now since you did not tell me if you were doing this to top off a restoration or just interest I gave you the best answer that I know of so as not to damage the paper.  

Classic/Antique Car Repair

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Brad Sears

Expertise

All automotive including antique and collectible. However if the car has been modified I can only answer in general terms and maybe get you pointed in the right direction.

Experience

Automotive tech instructor. Syndicated auto columnist 1970's though the early 1990's. Syndicated auto radio talk show, Ask Brad About cars, CBS Radio 70's through 90's TV Show "Last Chance Garage" 1980's PBS-TV syndicated. Auto instructor for the following companies: Fram Autolyte Holly Carter AMF Ford Motor University Of Conn Blue Hills Technical School Sugar River Technical Center Grew up in a family garage in Needham Mass and turned wrenches from the age of 14.

Publications
Manchester Union Leader, Nashua Telegraph, Motor Service Magazine, Yankee Magazine, Popular Mechanics (Saturday Mechanic early 80's), Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and lots more.

Education/Credentials
More than I care to remember. Basically Franklin Technical Institute in Boston, Northeastern University, Fitchburg State Teachers College, Tufts University, and a lot of factory schools along the way.

Awards and Honors
Moto Award winner. And much more.

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