I just got a couple of old photo albums, and some of the pictures (from the 40's) are stuck to the book. I think they were probably put in these albums in the 80's-90's, but they've been stored in a non climate controlled building. When I tried to remove a few, they started to rip down the middle. Does anyone have any good suggestions? Thank you in advance.
Thank you all for your answers so far. To answer a few of your questions, yes, I do want to salvage the photos. I actually wanted to scan them and make CD's for several family members at Christmas. My scanner is on the fritz, and I'm not sure about holding the album on the Kodak maker to get just 1 photo at a time, so I would prefer to remove them for that reason as well as getting them out of these albums that probably aren't as photo friendly as the acid/liguin free pages. Also, there are pictures on the front and back of each page, so I can't really cut them out or iron the back. Thank you again for your suggestions.
Lisa's response below...the product is called Un-Du. It is photosafe and amazing for removing adhesive without damaging the photo :)
Not sure if you're trying to salvage the album or the pictures.
Are these your pictures? If you're trying to save the pictures, I'd scan them before you try to remove them, that way you can always have them printed out again.
Take a fairly long piece of waxed dental floss, wrap each end around your fingers just like you would do if flossing your teeth. Begin at one corner of the picture and gently work the floss under the picture, now moving the floss back and forth, draw the floss under the picture from top to bottom. you should be able to remove the pictures from the album in this manner. I've done it tons of times. Hope this helps
use a towel, and an iron, on the opposite page - and see if warming it up will remove it, careful to not make the iron too hot.
There was a tool Creative Memories used to sell that was a small thin spatula. In this case you would use it like you would the razor blade but it might give you a little more control. Check to see if you have a Creative Memories Consultant in your area if you're interested in one of these tools. Also, there are a few books on this subject. You might check your library to see if you can borrow any.
I agree with the suggestion of scanning before trying to remove no matter what process you follow. Also leaving them in the albums is an option but odds are the album may not be photo safe and the pictures won't last as long as they would in a better environment. If you've scanned them it may not matter though. It may actually take less time to scan the photos than remove them.
If cost or not having a scanner is an issue, you might consider asking a friend to do it for less or borrow a scanner. Good luck, hope you are able to save these pictures. Also If the pictures aren't identified, do what you can and if you write on the back of the pictures use a pencil that is made for this. These projects have a way of taking on a life of their own, don't they?
Try Un-Do, you'll find it with the scrappbook supplies. It works!
Are they on both sides of the paper? If not, just cut them out with the paper behind. Otherwise, I would suggest you use a sharp razor blade and slowly work under the paper.
I tried to do that and ripped the pictures. In hindsight I would have left them in the album. Now I'm going to have to copy them.
There is something you can buy at MIchael's or Hobby Lobby, possible at any scrapbook store as well. I forget what it is called but it's a liquid that will unstick photos or stickers from paper. It works wonderfully and doesn't ruin the photo. I'm sure if you ask them or look in their scrapbook section you can find it. The top of the bottle kinda has a spatula shape to it to help scrap up the edges of the photo.
I have not tried this but.. I wonder if you use a low heat hair dryer on the backside of the paper if it would melt the adhesive so that you can remove the photo safely? Or, I would google or look in the yellow pages for a photo restoration company and give them a call about what they do when that happens.
Good luck to you,
M.
I am interested in the replies as well. Good question.
Thank you.
I don't have any suggestions other than calling picture and framing companies, maybe a picture restoration company. They should know the tricks of removing old pictures. Good luck. If they don't have to be removed maybe you can just put a new picture over it?
