Can anyone help me to identify the white residue that is on the back of my card? Unfortunately, this is the only card I own with the old Japanese back so I have nothing to compare it with. The area still feels glossy and isn’t sticky. Additionally, it can only be seen in bright lighting and is difficult to see, so I circled the areas where the residue is located.
Additionally, I tried to look through the forum to see if there was a thread on cleaning cards with the old Japanese back. If this is possible to clean, are there tips that I should follow.
It’s pretty common, I’m not sure what causes it. I’ve gotten 9s and 10s still on cards with it. It usually doesn’t impact the grade. Also, I’ve tried cleaning it with different methods on a common card. The markings do not go away with water or rubbing alcohol.
I’ve noticed it on some old back cards as well, and always suspected it was spots of mold forming between the layers. Japan is a VERY humid country, and mold attacks just about everything here.
I couldn’t find anything on the web since it looks like the Pokemon card manufacturing is well protected secret, but here’s my take:
Pokemon cards are layered in three sheets with the outer layers being cardboard and the middle layer being filament. The adhesive used to seal the layers or the waxy-like material that gives the card its gloss is separating and diffusing outwards. This process is known as blooming.
For more information, blooming is commonly seen on candy bars where the fat separates and the outside has a white residue.
I purchased this card (Trainer Certification/Grand Party) a while back from pokemoncfj/noriaki28. Great place, I purchased many things from that store! I already knew that the card had this residue, I thought it might’ve been whitening or wax. But that area is glossy and doesn’t feel sticky. Like you guys mentioned, Japan is incredibly humid so it could be mold. I also have that same white residue on the top edge of my card.
Also, I didn’t care about the imperfections on the back due to the card itself. It was a great opportunity and the front is flawless. The back has some white residue that you notice in bright light and some scratches.
Im surprised that PSA doesn’t dock off points for mold. Well, I’ve been hearing that PSA doesn’t reduce points for “imperfections” cause by humidity such as warping.
A few of my japanese rocket cards have this too, unfortunetly I couldnt get it off at the time, seemed stained even after alcholo and cleaning with a cloth or water. I just sleeved them up and put them into my binder.