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I love my CTMH stamps, but I'm starting to hate the fact that once I use them, they are no longer clear. Everything seems to stain them and I can't seem to get the stains off. Grrrrrr.... I've tried CTMH cleaner, Stazon Cleaner, the Joy of Stamping cleaner, Simple Green. Nothing seems to work. I love chalk inks and those seem to stain them the worst. Its driving me nuts!
What do you use to keep your clear stamps clear? I have a "clean stamp" fetish and really need some help!
Thanks!
__________________ ~Barbara
Wife to the most wonderful man in the world - he sits through all my "look what I made!" sessions!
Someone posted somewhere back about Ultra Clean? I think it comes from...alright, who knows where it comes from?
I think I've heard of that. Inky Antics and Sunday International carry it, I believe. I currently have at least 3 different cleaners sitting on my stamping table and am leery of purchasing anything else until I KNOW it works. I may have to break down and buy it.
__________________ ~Barbara
Wife to the most wonderful man in the world - he sits through all my "look what I made!" sessions!
ALL clear polymer stamps will stain. There is no way I've learned of to avoid that happening. It will not impede the performance of the stamp.
The best CLEANER I have found for removing as much of it as possible has been Stewart Superior's Ultra Clean. But, even it, best stamp cleaner I've ever encountered, can remove the stain entirely from clear polymer.
Clear Polymer stamps will also eventually yellow over time, and with exposure to sunlight; it does NOT impede the performance of the stamp.
One thing I'm not sure of, is whether or not continued and intense exposure to sunlight actually breaks down the polymer. I store all mine away from sunlight, as I do my ruby red rubbah stamps. :grin:
__________________ Julie Ebersole (JulieHRR once upon a time . . . )julieebersole.com"So shines a good deed in a weary world." -Willy Wonka
The best CLEANER I have found for removing as much of it as possible has been Stewart Superior's Ultra Clean. But, even it, best stamp cleaner I've ever encountered, cannot remove the stain entirely from clear polymer.
__________________ Julie Ebersole (JulieHRR once upon a time . . . )julieebersole.com"So shines a good deed in a weary world." -Willy Wonka
I love my CTMH stamps, but I'm starting to hate the fact that once I use them, they are no longer clear. ........ Its driving me nuts! ..... I have a "clean stamp" fetish and really need some help!
I feel your pain! --it's a bother to me, too. Thanks for asking this because I've been pestered by the same thing but never ask it.
Thanks Julie! I guess I need to break down and get the Ultra Clean. Some of mine are stained so dark, I'd be happy to get it lighter. But I'm still going to hope for totally clear one day! Gotta have hope!
__________________ ~Barbara
Wife to the most wonderful man in the world - he sits through all my "look what I made!" sessions!
I feel your pain! --it's a bother to me, too. Thanks for asking this because I've been pestered by the same thing but never ask it.
Its been bugging me for awhile and finally decided to ask. My CTMH demo didn't have an answer - her's are all a pretty pink! I figured if anyone knew, the ladies here would.
__________________ ~Barbara
Wife to the most wonderful man in the world - he sits through all my "look what I made!" sessions!
Oh oh! I've seen the Ultra Clean at my local Archivers too!
We don't have Archivers... *sigh* Nearest one is in Chicago, over 3 hours away. I'm roading triping this weekend and I'll have to see if the stamp store I'm going to carries it. Would rather not pay shipping.
__________________ ~Barbara
Wife to the most wonderful man in the world - he sits through all my "look what I made!" sessions!
One thing I'm not sure of, is whether or not continued and intense exposure to sunlight actually breaks down the polymer.
I would say exposure to sunlight doesn't break down the polymer...mainly because I've left CTMH stamp sets in my car during the summer for days, weeks on end -- and nothing is wrong with them. Granted, I probably shouldn't do that, but so far the sets are unharmed!
We don't have Archivers... *sigh* Nearest one is in Chicago, over 3 hours away. I'm roading triping this weekend and I'll have to see if the stamp store I'm going to carries it. Would rather not pay shipping.
If you find it, I highly recommend buying as much of it as you can. That stuff rocks, and you'll never wanna end up without it once you try it! ;)
Thank you, RICK!!!!!! chuckle!
__________________ Julie Ebersole (JulieHRR once upon a time . . . )julieebersole.com"So shines a good deed in a weary world." -Willy Wonka
I would say exposure to sunlight doesn't break down the polymer...mainly because I've left CTMH stamp sets in my car during the summer for days, weeks on end -- and nothing is wrong with them. Granted, I probably shouldn't do that, but so far the sets are unharmed!
TFS! How long a period of time have you owned them?
__________________ Julie Ebersole (JulieHRR once upon a time . . . )julieebersole.com"So shines a good deed in a weary world." -Willy Wonka
TFS! How long a period of time have you owned them?
Some of the stamp sets I've owned for two years -- I had signed up with CTMH about three or four months before they switched to acrylic stamps in 2004. I call my car the Mobile Craft Unit because so many of my stamping and scrapbooking supplies are in my car! So yes, some of those stamps have been in my car a looooonng time!
I've heard that the cleaner "Simple Green" is supposed to be good too. You can find it in the automotive cleaner area or sometimes the household cleaner area of WalMart, etc. It is the dark green, concentrate bottle.
If you find it, I highly recommend buying as much of it as you can. That stuff rocks, and you'll never wanna end up without it once you try it! ;)
Thank you, RICK!!!!!! chuckle!
If all else fails, I've got a 10% off coupon for Sunday International for filling out a survey for them. I may stock up that way. Plus SI carries Palette inks, which I love.
__________________ ~Barbara
Wife to the most wonderful man in the world - he sits through all my "look what I made!" sessions!
I would say exposure to sunlight doesn't break down the polymer...mainly because I've left CTMH stamp sets in my car during the summer for days, weeks on end -- and nothing is wrong with them. Granted, I probably shouldn't do that, but so far the sets are unharmed!
Prolonged sunlight will eventually ruin the stamps - it will also cause them to yellow faster (this doesn't affect the image)
__________________ Kate
�So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable.�
The OP said she used Staz-on to clean the clear stamps. FYI - it is recommended to NOT use staz-on cleaner to clean your stamps. The ink won't harm it, but from other posts I have read the cleaner will fog up your acrylic block making it not be very see through.
Just FYI.
The cleaner Julie is talking about is AWESOME. I have about 4 or 5 different cleaners and I will say
I AM AMAZED AT THE BLACK INK IT TOOK OFF MY RED RUBBAH THAT HAS BEEN ON THE STAMPS FOR YEARS WHEN I THOUGHT IT WAS STUCK THERE AND WOULD FOREVER BE STAINED BLACK!!!
And your stampin' scrub stays wet A LOT LONGER...like a few days! I swear. The stuff ROCKS!
It's $6.95 at Inky Antics - pricey for cleaner but TOTALLY WORTH IT!!!
Vicki
Do you think a rubber stamp addict will ever be on Oprah?
__________________ Vicki Nelson
That's my little 4 month old cutie, Ryne.
Remember no time is ever wasted that makes people better friends...so we aren't all wasting our time here on SCS. :-)
I use a cleaner called AWESOME --- that is the name of the cleaner AWESOME ... and it is truly AWESOME ... from the Dollar Tree and I have found it at a couple of other of the dollar stores ... it will take off staz on that has dried on my stamps ... I have not used it on polymer stamps because I don't have very many of those that I use regularly. it is with the house cleaners and in a round spray bottle ... there is an orange/citrus blend also ... but I just buy the regular yellowish color one ... I have heard ones say they have cleaned ink from carpet and permanent marker up with it ...
__________________ Karen Beavers
Independent SU Demonstrator
The pride of my life -- Alexis & Dylan
cleaning up
