Do you own a trade paperback that has fallen on hard times?Don't fret if you have loose or torn pages, a broken cover, or dirty smudges on your book.The book can be revived for a few more years of good reading.Depending on what you're trying to fix, you can get your book up and running again with a few things.
Step 1: There are loose pages in the book.
Not to worry if a few pages in your book come loose.You can insert the loose page by opening your book.If the book doesn't stay open on its own, weigh the pages with a paperweight.The book won't close until you're done with the loose page.
Step 2: Attach the page to the book with a thin line of glue.
If you want to adhere your loose page, place a thin line of archival glue along the vertical edge of the page.The glue needs to be as close to the binding as possible.An archival glue should be acid free.If you glue multiple loose pages onto one another, this will not be stable over time.You can buy archival glues at craft stores.
Step 3: The page should be put back in place.
Carefully place the page back into place, taking care to align the edges of the loose page with adjacent pages.If you want to prevent glue from oozing out, you can put a piece of wax paper along the page.The pages won't glue together.
Step 4: Place the book under weights.
To make sure the page is flat, weigh down the book with another heavier book.
Step 5: The book should be left to dry for 48 hours.
It's best to leave the book for at least 24 hours to allow archival glue to dry.
Step 6: Do you know the direction of the tear?
If the tear has a single direction, identify it on the torn page.Only one direction of the tear needs to be repaired at a time.
Step 7: Cut a strip of tape that is 4 inches longer than the tear.
The repair will be more stable if you cut your tape 4 inch longer than the tear.You should choose what kind of tape you use.You should use archival document repair tape for your book.
Step 8: Wrap the tape around the tear.
The tape should be centered over the tear in both directions.You can smooth it down with your hands or a stiff folder by putting the tape along the tear.If using a stiff folder, smooth the tape down with the folder's edge.
Step 9: The cover should be opened on a flat surface.
The cover should be placed on a flat surface in front of you.If the cover of your book is loose but not completely detached, you can gently peel it away from the text block.
Step 10: The spine of the text block has archival glue on it.
Using a small paintbrush, apply archival glue to the spine of the text block and let it dry for ten minutes.
Step 11: Apply archival glue to the spine of the cover.
Glue along the spine of the cover with your paintbrush.
Step 12: The cover should have the textblock back in it.
Place the textblock back into the book by aligning it with the cover spine.There is wax paper between the cover and the first and last pages of the book.
Step 13: Place weights on top of the book.
Make sure everything is aligned correctly by closing the book.Put a heavier book on top to weigh it down.
Step 14: The book should be left to dry for 48 hours.
It's best to leave the book for at least 24 hours to allow archival glue to dry.
Step 15: There is a broken book.
There is a broken glue binding in your book.The book will fall open to the break and you will be able to see the binding glue.It's important that pages don't fall out of your binding.The glue binding of thick paperbacks are prone to break while you're reading.
Step 16: Apply archival glue to the seam.
The old glue should be applied to the interior seam of the book.If you want to apply the glue more evenly, you can use a small brush.
Step 17: Put rubber bands on the book to secure it.
Put two rubber bands around the book to keep it stable.The rubber bands should be placed towards the top and bottom of the book.
Step 18: The book should be left to dry for 48 hours.
It's best to leave the book for at least 24 hours to allow archival glue to dry.
Step 19: To clean the surface, use a dry cleaning sponge.
Rub away dirt with a dry cleaning sponge, which is a block of rubber found at archival stores.You can clean your vacuum with a soft brush or brush attachment.Don't use water with your sponge.This can cause permanent damage to your book.
Step 20: Paper towels can be used to absorb grease stains.
If you have a grease stain, you can use paper towels to close the book.The grease from the stain should be absorbed by this.
Step 21: Take away pencil marks.
You can remove pencil marks with a plastic eraser.Remove the dust with a soft brush or vacuum.There are ink marks that cannot be removed.