Any way to repair bowed pre-uspc KEMs?

[AceDeuceNoUse]

Sometimes I could just kick myself.

Last summer I left my setup of pre-USPC kems in the back seat of my car while I was in a mall. As expected, with the heat, they became quite bowed.

I tried rubber-banding a deck around a 35mm film container and letting it sit for a few days, but that didn't help.

Has anyone been able to recover their KEMs from this condition?

[TRIPLE-D]

I washed a set, dried them off, then put them back in a deck stack, then placed a brick on them. I just let them sit for a week or so. When I checked them, they were good to go. I tried just using a brick for a few days, and it helped a little bit. I think getting them wet first is what did the trick.
Good luck.

[shadesofgrey]

What about ironing them on a very very very low setting?

Maybe layer something on top of them...

just a thought. i've never done it...

[AceDeuceNoUse]

Originally Posted by TRIPLE-D

I washed a set, dried them off, then put them back in a deck stack, then placed a brick on them. I just let them sit for a week or so. When I checked them, they were good to go. I tried just using a brick for a few days, and it helped a little bit. I think getting them wet first is what did the trick.
Good luck.

Thanks! I'll give it a try - one question though, do you think it makes any difference if I put the curved side of the bow down against the table (like a 'U') or up (upside down U)?

[smoore]

Ironing is how you mark KEM cards. Cheaters will iron the aces and they feel diferent.

[the3rd]

I don't know if it will work on Kems, but it works on other cards. Use a hair dryer on low, warm up the whole deck and place between two flat surfaces with a heavy weight on them. The next day they should be fine. This is much less extreme than ironing.

[shadesofgrey]

Originally Posted by the3rd

I don't know if it will work on Kems, but it works on other cards. Use a hair dryer on low, warm up the whole deck and place between two flat surfaces with a heavy weight on them. The next day they should be fine. This is much less extreme than ironing.

Great idea! I was just trying to think of how to apply heat in an even fashion... good idea with the blow dryer!

[jdunford]

Before going with heating them, I'd go with wetting and drying on a flat surface under a heavy object. Heating is more likely to cause (potentially permanent) damage. I find my KEMs will absorb moisture from the air at room temperature (most notably, the top and bottom cards will become temporarily warped), but wetting and drying does the trick. I realize your situation is a more permanent one (so far), but it's worth trying the less extreme measure first.

[smoore]

so... I don't know anything about the new KEM cards or the composition of the COPAG cards either, for that matter.

Anyone willing to explain or have a link to an explanation of what each kind is made out of? 'cause you know, I'm lazy.

The reason I ask is because the old KEM cards were acetate, copags are PVC (?) I believe. Each will have different warp characteristics and repair techniques.

[AceDeuceNoUse]

Originally Posted by jdunford

Before going with heating them, I'd go with wetting and drying on a flat surface under a heavy object. Heating is more likely to cause (potentially permanent) damage. I find my KEMs will absorb moisture from the air at room temperature (most notably, the top and bottom cards will become temporarily warped), but wetting and drying does the trick. I realize your situation is a more permanent one (so far), but it's worth trying the less extreme measure first.

Thanks for all the suggestions, folks. I'll give them a try in the next couple of days. I'll start with the less extreme measures and work my way up (or down, depending on how you look at it ).

I have attached some "before" pictures... hopefully the "after" will be an improvement!!!