Collector guide

Should You Clean a Card Before Grading?

Why aggressive cleaning, alteration and restoration can destroy eligibility and value.

Graded-card decisions combine authentication, condition, market demand, service cost and personal collecting goals. A numerical grade is useful information, but it does not replace inspection of the card or the economics of the transaction.

1. Remove loose dust only with extreme caution

Remove loose dust only with extreme caution should be evaluated in the context of the exact card, collecting goal, grading company, market and total cost. Record what is known, separate official information from seller claims, and use conservative outcomes when money is involved.

2. Do not erase marks

Do not erase marks should be evaluated in the context of the exact card, collecting goal, grading company, market and total cost. Record what is known, separate official information from seller claims, and use conservative outcomes when money is involved.

3. Do not recolor edges

Do not recolor edges should be evaluated in the context of the exact card, collecting goal, grading company, market and total cost. Record what is known, separate official information from seller claims, and use conservative outcomes when money is involved.

4. Do not press creases

Do not press creases should be evaluated in the context of the exact card, collecting goal, grading company, market and total cost. Record what is known, separate official information from seller claims, and use conservative outcomes when money is involved.

5. Do not trim

Do not trim should be evaluated in the context of the exact card, collecting goal, grading company, market and total cost. Record what is known, separate official information from seller claims, and use conservative outcomes when money is involved.

6. Stop when uncertain

Stop when uncertain should be evaluated in the context of the exact card, collecting goal, grading company, market and total cost. Record what is known, separate official information from seller claims, and use conservative outcomes when money is involved.

Important: This guide is educational. It does not predict a grade, guarantee authenticity, provide an appraisal or recommend cards as investments.

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