Before you experiment with book repair tips & ideas on your library book, I suggest getting a throw away book to gain some measure of confidence. By practicing you will gain skills and abilities.
Pencil Mark
To invoke book repair tip use pink pearl eraser rubbing with light pressure in one direction (never back and forth)
Ink Mark
Try pink pearl eraser rubbing in one direction. Paper is made from wood so it will react to the sand paper differently. Use the finest grade possible. Attached to your finger and rub gently in small strokes as if lifting the ink off the page.
Cracked Hinge
Using a dull knife, run under sheet and apply glue with a thin brush. Insert a folded wax paper so the page does not stick to the cover. Put in a book press or weigh down for 4 hours.
Dusty Book
Top edge of most books get dusty. Hold the book tightly and blow dust from spine out, and then dust lightly with a feather duster.
Dull Cover
Try white bread for removing dirt. Do not ever wash covers. This will make them dull and cause moisture penetration in boards leading to mildew.
Candle Wax
Try removing with a dull knife or finger nail. A suede brush will help loosen the wax.
Chewing Gum
Wrap book in plastic tightly and place in freezer for a couple of hours. Remove the hardening gum with a dull knife lifting upwards. Clean off residue with a light cleaning fluid. If the gum is stuck between pages, slice the hardened gum to Separate the sheet. Wrap some ice in plastic and place on top of sliced gum until hardened. Try the surgery again
Cover Fade
Apply a good cleaning fluid and a coat of wax.
Cover Spots& Stains
This is difficult to remove as it may damage the cover fabric and finish. Try a light cleaning fluid in a small area first
Crayon
Apply a thick coat of rubber cement and let it dry. Rub it until it forms a ball and this should remove the crayon marks.
Coffee Rings
Try a cleaning fluid such as potassium permanganate with a cleaning blotter and wax paper under the page.
Red Wine Stains
Apple white wine with a dropper then cleaning fluid.
Stickers(Labels)
Lift off with a dull knife and clean any residue with a cleaning fluid.
Dirty Pages
Erase, white bread, or opaline pad all used with extreme care.
Rubber Stamp
Leave it alone unless you have an excellent cleaning fluid.
Flowers and Leaves
Don’t do it. For the stubborn at heart, take your chances.
Folded Down Corners
Straighten them out and press book down. Stubborn folds can be soften with light moisture and straighten with pressing iron.
Hinge Loose
Stand book up and allow a small amount of adhesive to dribble down between the inside cover and end sheet. Turn the book around and do the same. Press book down with wax paper between cover and end sheet.
Ink Underlining
This is difficult since removing the ink will remove the type (print). Pink pencil stick eraser may be helpful.
Insect Stains
Remove residue with fingernail or dull knife. If it is not in a printer area try a cleaning fluid.
Leather Books
Treat the cover before tackling the rest of book. Apply a preservative or leather rejuvenator like lenol or potassium lactate if the covers are dry. Older leather books develop a problem called ‘red rot’ where the leather simply crumbles away.A leather shoe repair shop is best for supplies
Mildew
Brush the mildew off and dry the book. Apply hydrogen peroxide carefully with an eye-dropper. Lemon juice may work as well. Place book in sunlight or under a lamp
Paper Clips
Don’t ever use in books!! They may leave indentations and rust stains.Iron out after moisture softening
Scotch Tape
Hexane is best but there is difficulty getting it. Use rubber cement thinner and cleaning fluid.
Suede Bindings
Do not use any waxy or oily preparations on them. They will look awful. Use a suede brush to try lifting any spots or stains. Use masking tape with your fingers to lift stains off.
Cloth Tape
Most people use these to tape the unhinged cover. It is difficult to remove the adhesive residue. Try to soften with Hexane and gently remove
Shy Riyasat
Bookbinding Professional
