USING ABSORENE PUTTY ON COMIC BOOKS
Remove light soiling from comics while protecting vibrant inks
What is Absorene Putty?
Absorene putty is sometimes called “book cleaner putty” or “archival cleaning putty”. The putty is a soft, pink clay-like material that looks and feels a little like Silly Putty but is firmer and drier. It was originally made for libraries and museums to safely lift dirt, soot, and oils from old books, documents, and even wallpaper without using liquids. Instead of scrubbing or rubbing, you press or dab the putty lightly onto the paper surface, and it pulls away surface grime, dust, and oils.
When it comes to comic books, Absorene putty can be used to clean covers, but it comes with some big cautions—especially on red and yellow inks. Those two colors are the most delicate inks printed on vintage comics. They scuff and lose pigment faster than blues or blacks. If you press too hard or drag the putty across the surface, you can lift or smear the ink itself, not just the dirt. Once that pigment is gone, there’s no bringing it back.
How Absorene Putty is used
· Tear off a small piece of putty (so you’re always working with a clean surface).
· Lightly dab or roll it across the area with surface dirt or light grime. Never rub. Roll away from you, which is the oppositeof using Absorene book cleaner pads.
· Check often to make sure you aren’t pulling color—if you see even a faint pinkish transfer or pigment loss, stop immediately.
· When the piece of putty gets too dirty, switch to a fresh one.
General Tips
Practical Uses: removing light surface dirt, fingerprints, or haze from green, red, and yellow book covers.
Not used for: scratches, ink rubs, deep stains, or color loss (especially in fragile red/yellow areas), brand-new Modern age comics with glossy thin magazine style paper stock as a cover.
Storage: Store the tub of putty inside a plastic bag. This will prevent the putty from drying out if the container lid is not secure.
Know when to use Absorene Putty
Think of Absorene putty as a gentle lifting tool—not a repair tool. On red and yellow covers, you should always test in a tiny corner first, because those inks are like eggshells: they crack and wear very easily. Avoid thin glossy magazine-style covers – the putty can fuse to the gloss layer permanently.
When to use Absorene putty: If the dirt feels embedded into the cover gloss (like grime pressed in over time), Absorene putty works better because it “pulls” the dirt out. If the dirt is more like a loose haze or smudging on the surface, the Drafter’s pad is safer since it deposits crumbs and lifts gently. On red or yellow inks, both must be used sparingly, but the pad is often safer because you can control the pressure more easily. The putty can grab and lift ink faster than you expect.
Comic Book Cleaning Guides
We have several free online how-to guides for dry cleaning comic books. Check out all cleaning comic book methods.
Warning – Absorene on Modern Glossy Comics
Avoid comic books with glossy thin covers
Use extreme caution when applying Absorene Book Cleaner Putty on brand-new or modern-age comics printed on thin, glossy, magazine-style paper. On these surfaces, Absorene can adhere, smear, or fuse to the gloss layer, especially when pressure, warmth, or static is present. Once bonded, the putty may not release cleanly and can leave permanent residue or surface damage that cannot be safely removed without risking gloss loss, fiber pull, or ink disturbance. Unless you have a proven, controlled method for addressing fused Absorene residue, its use on modern glossy covers is not recommended—reserve Absorene for matte or older paper stocks where lift behavior is predictable. This product is intended for comic books dated from 1935-2001 with flat matte covers with vibrant inks.
PRESSING A COMIC WITH ABSORENE PUTTY
Fused Absorene Putty on Covers
If dry cleaning putty gets pressed onto book cover, this will be notated in grader's notes. This damage is often permanent, but you can attempt to reverse the damage. If the putty or debris is removed, there will likely be a divot.
1. Use pencil with white polymer pencil eraser cap.
2. Work out the putty dot or eraser shaving by moving eraser in light circular swirls.
3. Alternatively, use a facial tissue or dry sweeper duster wipe to remove if possible.
4. Repress book again.
USING ABSORENE PUTTY ON COMIC BOOKS
1. STORING ABSORENE PUTTY
1. STORING ABSORENE PUTTY
1. STORING ABSORENE PUTTY
1. Store Absorene putty in a plastic bag when not in use to prevent drying out.
2. KNEAD THE PUTTY
1. STORING ABSORENE PUTTY
1. STORING ABSORENE PUTTY
2. Tear off a small 1” ball of putty and knead it with your fingers until warm and soft.
3. ROLL A LOG
1. STORING ABSORENE PUTTY
4. ROLL AWAY FROM YOUR BODY
3. Roll the ball out across a clean workstation area, free of eraser shavings and soiling. Roll the putty until it forms a 4” long log.
4. ROLL AWAY FROM YOUR BODY
4. ROLL AWAY FROM YOUR BODY
4. ROLL AWAY FROM YOUR BODY
4. Cover the rest of book using an assembled magazine-size comic bag + board as a shield. Hold book in place with your offhand resting on protective shield. Begin slowly rolling the Absorene putty log away from your body, towards edges or corners. Never roll the putty log towards you, in a back-and-forth motion. (This is the opposite of Absorene book cleaner pads.)
5. ROLL OUT CORNERS
4. ROLL AWAY FROM YOUR BODY
6. SQUEEZE INTO A BALL
5. Approach corners very slowly and carefully. Always roll the log away from your body, toward outside edges. If you roll the putty back towards you, the corner will lift and rip.
6. SQUEEZE INTO A BALL
4. ROLL AWAY FROM YOUR BODY
6. SQUEEZE INTO A BALL
6. Once putty log has become too skinny and long, squeeze the putty into a ball. Knead the putty until it is soft and warm. Repeat steps 1-5 until you are satisfied with the results. Always remember to roll the putty away from your bottom, towards outside edges of the comic book.
7. ROLL AWAY FROM BODY
9. AVOID CHIPPED CORNERS
7. ROLL AWAY FROM BODY
7. For inside corners, continue to roll the putty log away from your body, towards outside edges and corners. Never roll the log back and forth. Roll, pick up, roll, pick up, etc.
8. AVOID FRAYED EDGES
9. AVOID CHIPPED CORNERS
7. ROLL AWAY FROM BODY
8. Avoid frayed edges containing fine loose pieces. The putty will pull any fine loose flakes away from the book.
9. AVOID CHIPPED CORNERS
9. AVOID CHIPPED CORNERS
9. AVOID CHIPPED CORNERS
9. Do not attempt to roll the putty around chipped corners or spine splits.
10. NEVER ROLL BACKWARDS
10. NEVER ROLL BACKWARDS
9. AVOID CHIPPED CORNERS
10. When rolling the putty at corners, if the putty is rolled back towards your body the corner will lift and likely crease or tear. It’s crucial that the putty is always rolled softly, slowly, and in one direction only: away from your body towards outside edges.
11. AVOID SPINE SPLITS
10. NEVER ROLL BACKWARDS
11. AVOID SPINE SPLITS
11. The same can be said for spine splits and cracked paper. Never attempt to use Absoreneputty around corners or spines with severe cracking or splits.
12. AVOID COVER RIPS
10. NEVER ROLL BACKWARDS
11. AVOID SPINE SPLITS
12. Absorene putty is a valuable dry-cleaning tool for comic books but can be destructive when not used properly.
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