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Fixing old bendy cardboard?

Posted: 09 Feb 2010 22:47
by stkhlmdk
Hi, instead of searching endlessly on Google I thought it would be better to ask you guys about a small issue I have on my newly discovered Karate Kid house. There are some cardboard inserts that cover the two action door setups on the inside of the house but they are now bend out of shape after nearly 20 years on the attic so I wonder if there is a clever way to get those back into shape? I was thinking some light moist (water spray) and then clamp them onto some flat surface for a couple of weeks? If you have any better suggestions please feel free to share them in this thread :-D

Ps: I know there are SOOOO many things to comment regarding those drawings on the boxes and how they are made but please try to stay focused on the task at hand ;-)

Re: Fixing old bendy cardboard?

Posted: 10 Feb 2010 00:43
by zakkfan
im no expert but this is what i would do
cut some thicker cardboard to the shape of the cardboard you want flatened
use some self adhesive of some sort
glue the cardboard to the inside then put something heavy on top
the idea is sticking it to other cardboard should flatten it and keep it that way
just an idea
hope this works

Re: Fixing old bendy cardboard?

Posted: 10 Feb 2010 00:54
by zakkfan
had another thought
put some thin material over it and try to iron it flat
faling that the way i mentioned before
cut the cardboard slighty smaller than the piece you are sticking it to
this will make it easyer to fit
then when the adhesive has set score the underside of the card were the folds are on the original card and bend it to the shape
and its some form of contact adhesive you need
i know it means you may de-value the set if you intend to sell it

Re: Fixing old bendy cardboard?

Posted: 10 Feb 2010 01:52
by The Baron
I was going to suggest ironing it under a towel as well.

Re: Fixing old bendy cardboard?

Posted: 10 Feb 2010 08:31
by stkhlmdk
Yeah, I was just thinking about the ironing-idea when I put my head on the pillow last night.....either that or some "steam"-treatment of some sorts and then clamp it underneath a study set of wooden plates.

Re: Fixing old bendy cardboard?

Posted: 10 Feb 2010 08:33
by Sundance
i'd just say stick it under a heavy pile of books...

Re: Fixing old bendy cardboard?

Posted: 10 Feb 2010 08:36
by stkhlmdk
Sundance wrote:i'd just say stick it under a heavy pile of books...
I think the fibres need to be "softhend" before you put it there as they have been subjected to heat and cold during the stay in the attic and needs to be loosend again.

Re: Fixing old bendy cardboard?

Posted: 10 Feb 2010 09:41
by Lady Jaye
Cardboard is tricky stuff, make it too moist it will rip, crease, loose ink.

Put cardboard on flat surface, place under towel, printed side facing down, gently steam iron or iron with moist towel. When still damp-ish put between something heavy and leave for a while.

Moist is also the main cause of warping and bending! So be carefull!

Re: Fixing old bendy cardboard?

Posted: 10 Feb 2010 09:46
by stkhlmdk
Lady Jaye wrote:Cardboard is tricky stuff, make it too moist it will rip, crease, loose ink.

Put cardboard on flat surface, place under towel, printed side facing down, gently steam iron or iron with moist towel. When still damp-ish put between something heavy and leave for a while.

Moist is also the main cause of warping and bending! So be carefull!
Thanks, it looks like this may be the only way to amend this and I will post some pics of the end results when I get that far.