Modern Era Card Care

Whether you're working on modern era plastic or paper, we've got tips to get you started!

What can you fix on modern cards? Play the video to find out!

Top Fixable Issues on Modern Era - Plastic, Prizm and Chrome

Surfaces - Including finger prints, dirt, ink removal, and age spots that just happen over time.
Bring a dull finish back to life
Light edge and corner fixes
Soaking to remove indents on the back of the card is an option - Must practice this because results will vary based on year and card condition
Scratches - some scratches can be reduced or removed, but not all - always practice on a base card.

Top Permanent Issues on Modern Era - Plastic, Prizm and Chrome

Print lines, dimples, separation or surface peeling. Bent corners - Plastic is not very forgiving

Watch These Videos To Get Started with Modern Era - Plastic, Prism and Chrome

Modern Era Cards Surface Cleaning:

Using Kurt's Card Care Recovery

Removing Ink From Modern Era Cards

Fixing Edges on Modern Era Cards

Fixing Corners on Modern Era Cards

Modern Era Card Soak

Be sure to check out our guide to soaking and drying cards, FIRST.

Recommended Products for Modern Era Collectors

Top Fixable Issues on Modern Era Paper Cards - like Upper Deck, Topps, Hoops, and Donruss

Surfaces - Including finger prints, dirt, ink removal, and age spots that just happen over time.
Light edge and corner fixes
Smaller dents, and dings

Top Permanent Issues on Modern Era Paper Cards

Bent corners
Creases

Watch These Videos To Get Started with Modern Era Paper Cards - like Upper Deck, Topps, Hoops, and Donruss

Modern Era Cards Surface Cleaning:

Modern Era Corners

Modern Era Dents

Modern Era Card Cleaning Do's and Don'ts
Kurt's Card Care Polish

Kurt's Card Care Polish for Modern Era Cards

Don't use on autographs or serial numbers
Certain foil accents lift easily too
If polish dries on the card, don't scratch it off — apply more on top and it will remove all of it (this happens when you don't remove it fast enough)

Polish Don'ts

Polish Do's

Perfect on cards with a shiny plastic front and back — from '90s Fleer Metal to a Luka Prizm Rookie
Apply to all surface issues — it's always worth a shot, no matter what you see on the card. Some issues are scratched into the card (permanent); others are superficial and on top (often removable or reducible)
Use clean applicators every new session — Polish/Spray Applicators on Amazon
Keep the polish between 68–72 degrees for best performance
Apply softly, like spreading butter on bread — don't smash it up and dig into it
Let the card sit for about an hour before sleeving
Keep it out of light with the lid on tight to stay fresh

Modern Era Card Cleaning Do's and Don'ts
Kurt's Card Care Spray

Spray Do's

Use the spray before the polish to remove ink spots, stuck on stuff, heavy finger prints…whatever “stuff” happens to be on your card. Spray is great at getting the surface back to factory like by removing whatever happens to land on the card.

Spray Don'ts

Do not spray directly on the card.
Do not use on autographs or serial numbers.
Certain foil accents are easy to remove too.

Additionally, regarding soaking modern cards (such as Topps Chrome or Prizm), this should be considered a "Hail Mary" move for severe damage on the back of the card. Not all Prizm/Chrome cards can handle a soak. I recommend practicing on a base card of the exact same type first. In my experience, cards from 2018 to the present generally handle soaking well, while cards produced before 2018 are more susceptible to damage and turning BLUE.

Modern Era Card Cleaning Do's and Don'ts
Kurt's Card Care Recovery

Kurt's Card Care Recovery for Modern Era Cards

Recovery Do's

Use clean applicators every new session and if you need to order more, I have Amazon links for the applicators here: Polish/Spray Applicators
Keep the polish between 68-72 degrees for best performance.
Always test on base cards.
Use Kurt's Card Care Polish first.

Recovery Don'ts

Do not use on autographs
Do not use on serial numbers.
Removable blemishes usually go away between one and three applications. Do not overuse.
Do not use on paper cards. Recovery is only for cards with a plastic finish.

Modern Era Card Cleaning Do's and Don'ts
Kurt's Card Care Tool

Kurt's Card Care Tool for Modern Era Cares

Card Tool Do's

Use the tool to help get the edges and corners back in place. This works well in combination with humidity treatments. Use for indents on the back of cards such as “nail marks” .

Card Tool Don'ts

If the front surface or corner of a modern card is bent its likely a permanent issue. Once the plastic bends it will usually stretch the plastic a bit. Hard to restore 100%. Don’t push hard and always use a penny sleeve in-between the surface of the tool and card for added protection.

Bottom Line: To AVOID any potential mistakes test everything on a base card before you go for the Mike Trout Refractor Rookie. Base cards from the same set are made of the same material and they will teach you how to successfully work on your best cards.