Post-it note residue

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Post-it note residue

1a.book.collector
Edited: Dec 22, 2023, 3:07 pm

To my knowledge, Post-It notes leave behind an acidic residue on paper. Unfortunately, a prior owner of a collectible book I recently purchased (1st printing of The Edge of the Sea by Rachel Carson) affixed one to an endpaper. I'd like to remove it to prevent any further damage, but I'm not sure what the best procedure is for removing the subtle residue it leaves behind. Any suggestions?

22wonderY
Dec 22, 2023, 3:50 pm

I would do a very light swipe with a cotton cloth damp with acetone.

3mr.philistine
Dec 25, 2023, 2:18 am

>1 a.book.collector: If the residue is visible, can you share a photo?

4a.book.collector
Mar 4, 2024, 12:41 pm

>2 2wonderY: any brands you recommend? I've seen "Un-du" but that contains heptane apparently.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Un-Du-Adhesive-Remover-4-oz/21997597

5a.book.collector
Mar 4, 2024, 12:48 pm

>3 mr.philistine: Apologies for the delay replying. the Post-it residue isn't visible, but I traced the area lightly with pencil before removing it. I think it was pasted into the book relatively recently and hasn't had time to visibly stain yet.

6imagists
Apr 10, 2024, 5:37 pm

>5 a.book.collector: One way to remove residue is with a white plastic eraser, very gently--test a little area of the paper first to be sure that "erasing" it won't damage it, and if it's all right, the white plastic eraser will sort of bond with the residue and cause it to ball up and come off in the eraser "crumbs."