CLEANING COMICS USING PVC ART ERASERS
Using erasers to clean comics
PVC art erasers are considered the primary dry-cleaning tool for removing soiling from comic books because they effectively lift surface dirt without introducing moisture or chemicals. The soft PVC material creates fine eraser debris that traps and pulls dirt, grime, and handling residue out of the paper fibers rather than grinding it deeper into the surface. This allows controlled, progressive cleaning with minimal pressure and a high degree of precision.
Unlike harder erasers or abrasive tools, PVC art erasers are less likely to abrade paper, disturb ink, or remove gloss when used correctly. Their predictable behavior, availability in multiple firmness levels, and compatibility with different paper stocks make them a reliable first-line tool for safely reducing surface soiling during the dry-cleaning stage of comic book pressing.
Comic Book Cleaning Guides
We have several free online how-to guides for dry cleaning comic books. Check out all cleaning comic book methods.
CLEANING COMIC BOOKS WITH ERASERS
All you need is a good PVC art eraser
The most important tool for dry cleaning comic books is a good plastic PVC art eraser. The eraser must be super soft and pliable, so the cover doesn’t tear. The number one recommended product we prefer to use is a MOO art eraser. Unfortunately, the MOO company is no longer in business, so sourcing this eraser is difficult. There are sellers on eBay that offer the eraser typically from as low as $10 to as high as $30. This eraser is actually worth the $30. If you can find them, buy them. The closest eraser I have found that is almost identical to the MOO eraser is Acurit Vanish Four in One Eraser .
SUITABLE ALTERNATIVE PVC ERASERS
Alternative Erasers
In our conquest to find and purchase alternatives to a $30 eraser, we did find suitable replacements. We tested over 12 different brands from Amazonand Walmart. The key issue here is to use the softest eraser available. The softer the eraser, the easier it is to lift soiling from comic book covers. On Amazonthere are some brands we thought were a close match (but not the same). Acurit Vanish, Tombow Mono, M&G and Tamaki brand erasers are the best soft plastic PVC erasers we could find for dry cleaning comic books .
dry CLEANING comics WITH ERASERS
Dry Cleaning Erasers
When using these super soft plastic PVC erasers on comic books, little effort is required. Using the weight of the eraser itself, a simple gliding back and forth across the cover will easily lift any light soiling. Once the eraser is covered in dirt, the eraser can be easily cleaned by rubbing the eraser against an Absorene book cleaning pad.
THE ABSORENE BOOK CLEANER PAD
Remove light soiling and surface grime from all comic books
The Absorene book cleaner pad is a dry-cleaning compound designed to lift surface-level dirt, soot, oils, and handling residue from paper without introducing moisture. It works through absorption and adhesion, not abrasion: when gently dabbed or lightly rubbed across a comic book’s surface, the putty-like material pulls contaminants out of the paper fibers and traps them within the pad itself. Because it does not rely on liquids, solvents, or chemicals, Absorene is especially useful for early-stage cleaning where preserving paper strength, gloss, and ink stability is critical. The Absorene pad is made of vulcanized rubber.
In comic book dry cleaning, the Absorene pad is typically used during the pre-press cleaning phase, before any humidity or heat is applied. This is important because pressing can permanently set dirt and oils into the paper if they are not removed first. Used correctly—with minimal pressure and a controlled, lifting motion—the pad can reduce light soiling, edge grime, and fingerprints without thinning paper or disturbing ink. However, excessive rubbing or aggressive pressure can cause surface burnishing, gloss loss, or fiber disruption, so it should be treated as a precision tool rather than a scrubbing device. When used properly, Absorene products are some of the safest and most effective dry-cleaning tools available for comic book conservation.
how to CLEAN your ERASERS
ERASING DIRT FROM YOUR ERASER WITH AN ERASER
PRO TIP! The erasers used for dry cleaning comic books become quite soiled and dirty after each use. Fortunately, the erasers are reusable – all you have to do is clean the erasers using the Absorene book cleaner pad. Rub erasers back and forth across the book cleaner pad. The book cleaner pad is made of vulcanized rubber, so you are erasing the dirt from one eraser to another.
All erasers can be reused many times, cleaning hundreds of books. An eraser should be retired once all edges are warped and no longer flat, or if there is significant cracking.
Top Pick
Helix brand pencil cap erasers are most effective around edges, corners, along the spine, and any white/light areas of comic book covers. Think of the pencil cap eraser as a fine edging tool for cleanup once the Absorene pad and soft PVC erasers have done most of the dry cleaning.
one tiny speck of dirt is a divot away from all comic books
Dust away all eraser shavings before pressing comic books
WARNING! After cleaning erasers with the Absorene book cleaner pad, there will be tiny flakes from cleaning. These fine shavings are from the friction caused by rubbing erasers back and forth on the pad. These flakes of book cleaner pad will get on the tabletop surface, and on the eraser itself. Make sure to wipe down entire workspace area, including the eraser. We recommend cleaning the erasers over a trash can, so the eraser shavings can be discarded instead of workspace areas. If the shavings aren’t wiped away, pebbling and divots may appear on comic books after pressing.
CLEANING ERASERS USING ABSORENE BOOK CLEANER PAD
1. RUB PENCIL CAP ERASERS - FLAT SIDE
2. RUB PENCIL CAP ERASERS - SMALL SIDE
2. RUB PENCIL CAP ERASERS - SMALL SIDE
1. Rub all pencil cap erasers along the flat side of an Absorene Book Cleaner Pad.
2. RUB PENCIL CAP ERASERS - SMALL SIDE
2. RUB PENCIL CAP ERASERS - SMALL SIDE
2. RUB PENCIL CAP ERASERS - SMALL SIDE
2. Rub all pencil cap erasers along the firm width side of an Absorene Book Cleaner Pad. The side of the pad is much harder and a more firm side to clean erasers.
3. CLEAN ERASER
2. RUB PENCIL CAP ERASERS - SMALL SIDE
4. RUB PVC ERASERS - FLAT SIDE
3. Once all soiling has been removed from the eraser, the eraser will clean more efficiently.
4. RUB PVC ERASERS - FLAT SIDE
5. RUB PVC ERASERS - SMALL SIDE
4. RUB PVC ERASERS - FLAT SIDE
4. Rub all super soft PVC erasers along the soft flat side of an Absorene Book Cleaner Pad.
5. RUB PVC ERASERS - SMALL SIDE
5. RUB PVC ERASERS - SMALL SIDE
5. RUB PVC ERASERS - SMALL SIDE
5 Rub all super soft PVC erasers along the firm small width side of an Absorene Book Cleaner Pad.
6. CLEAN ERASER
5. RUB PVC ERASERS - SMALL SIDE
5. RUB PVC ERASERS - SMALL SIDE
6. Once all soiling has been removed from the eraser, the eraser will clean more efficiently.
DRY CLEANING COMIC BOOKS WITH SUPER SOFT PVC ART ERASERS
1. INSPECTION
3. CARDSTOCK UNDER COVERS
2. CENTERFOLD PROTECTION
1. Inspect the book first. Carefully reset folds or creased corners using a damp Q-Tip
2. CENTERFOLD PROTECTION
3. CARDSTOCK UNDER COVERS
2. CENTERFOLD PROTECTION
2. Place a magazine sized-backer board at the centerfold for spine rigidity.
3. CARDSTOCK UNDER COVERS
3. CARDSTOCK UNDER COVERS
4. REMOVE FOREIGN SUBSTANCES
3. Place 1 sheet of 65 lb cardstock paper under both covers.
4. REMOVE FOREIGN SUBSTANCES
4. REMOVE FOREIGN SUBSTANCES
4. REMOVE FOREIGN SUBSTANCES
4. If present, scrape off any unknown substances using a dental pick or probe tool.
5. FRAGILE SPINES
4. REMOVE FOREIGN SUBSTANCES
5. FRAGILE SPINES
5. If the spine is fragile, place the 65 lb cardstock paper 1-2 pages back from both covers.
6. EDGEWEAR
4. REMOVE FOREIGN SUBSTANCES
5. FRAGILE SPINES
6. Pay close attention to edgewear. Tiny flakes of paper could become loose from cleaning.
7. WIPE
9. ABSORENE PAD STRIPS
8. SOILING TRANSFER
7. Wipe down workspace area and comic book with a Swiffer Sweeper dry wipe.
8. SOILING TRANSFER
9. ABSORENE PAD STRIPS
8. SOILING TRANSFER
8. The Swiffer Sweeper wipe should contain black and gray tone spots from surface soiling.
9. ABSORENE PAD STRIPS
9. ABSORENE PAD STRIPS
10. PULL ABSORENE PAD TOWARDS YOU
9. Cut smaller 1-2” strips from the Absorene book cleaner pad for controlled dry cleaning on comic book covers.
10. PULL ABSORENE PAD TOWARDS YOU
10. PULL ABSORENE PAD TOWARDS YOU
10. PULL ABSORENE PAD TOWARDS YOU
10. Gently pull the Absorene strip towards your body while holding book in place with offhand. Never move the Absorene strip back and forth – this could cause a rip or tear to the cover.
11. SOILING TRANSFER
10. PULL ABSORENE PAD TOWARDS YOU
12. LIGHT CIRCULAR SWIRLS
11. The Absorene pad strip should contain black and gray tone spots from surface cleaning.
12. LIGHT CIRCULAR SWIRLS
10. PULL ABSORENE PAD TOWARDS YOU
12. LIGHT CIRCULAR SWIRLS
12. For the middle area of the book cover, hold book in place with offhand while gliding a soft PVC eraser in circular swirls. Circular swirls can be utilized with the soft PVC erasers for the middle area and not edges or corners.
13. CHECK FOR COLORS
14. SWITCH TO PENCIL CAP ERASERS
14. SWITCH TO PENCIL CAP ERASERS
13. Always keep checking the colors on your eraser to indicate if ink removal has taken place from applying too much pressure. Black and gray tone colors are from the surface dirt soiling.
14. SWITCH TO PENCIL CAP ERASERS
14. SWITCH TO PENCIL CAP ERASERS
14. SWITCH TO PENCIL CAP ERASERS
14. Alternate by switching to a Helix brand pencil cap eraser. Focus on the whites and light areas of book cover. There should be no downward applied pressure with your wrist, only the weight of the pencil. Any pressure applied should come from the elbow, and not wrist.
15. CHECK FOR COLORS
14. SWITCH TO PENCIL CAP ERASERS
15. CHECK FOR COLORS
15. Always keep checking the colors on your eraser to indicate if ink removal has taken place from applying too much pressure. Black and gray tone colors are from the surface dirt soiling.
16. ERASURE DAMAGE
17. WATCH CORNERS AND EDGES
15. CHECK FOR COLORS
16. If there is any colors on the eraser, you have applied too much pressure and friction which causes color loss from erasure. This color rub defect is permanent.
17. WATCH CORNERS AND EDGES
17. WATCH CORNERS AND EDGES
17. WATCH CORNERS AND EDGES
17. Be extra careful around corners and edges with the soft PVC erasers. Hold the corner with your offhand and move the eraser towards your body in straight linear directions along the edge, never back and forth or circular swirls near an edge or corner.
18. AGGRESSIVE CLEANING
17. WATCH CORNERS AND EDGES
17. WATCH CORNERS AND EDGES
18. If the manner of cleaning is aggressive, too quick, or circular near an edge or corner, you will rip the cover.
19. CLEANING SURFACE
20. CLEANING PROTECTIVE BARRIER
20. CLEANING PROTECTIVE BARRIER
19. To make cleaning significantly easier, place an assembled magazine bag + board underneath the book being dry cleaned. This allows for easy positioning during cleaning without scratching the opposite cover.
20. CLEANING PROTECTIVE BARRIER
20. CLEANING PROTECTIVE BARRIER
20. CLEANING PROTECTIVE BARRIER
20. Utilize a second assembled magazine bag + board on top of the comic book. Hold the book in place using your offhand on top of the protective bag + board shield. This shield will prevent cover rips and tears. This is especially important for frayed corners.
21. DO NOT CROSS YOUR ARMS
20. CLEANING PROTECTIVE BARRIER
21. DO NOT CROSS YOUR ARMS
21. Do not cross your arms by attempting to hold book in place with offhand underneath main hand while dry cleaning.
22. FLIP THE BOOK AROUND
24. PULL ERASERS TOWARDS YOUR BODY
21. DO NOT CROSS YOUR ARMS
22. Instead, flip the book around and allow arms to rest naturally while dry cleaning.
23. HOLD FRAYED CORNERS IN PLACE
24. PULL ERASERS TOWARDS YOUR BODY
24. PULL ERASERS TOWARDS YOUR BODY
23. Hold frayed corners in place with assembled magazine bag + board with offhand.
24. PULL ERASERS TOWARDS YOUR BODY
24. PULL ERASERS TOWARDS YOUR BODY
24. PULL ERASERS TOWARDS YOUR BODY
24. Do not push erasers or Absorene pad away from your body. This can pull up the cover from underneath protective shield, causing additional damage or tears to cover. Pull toward you.
DRAFTING ERASER PAD
THE DRAFTING ERASER POUCH
A drafting eraser pad is a small fabric pouch filled with tiny shavings of soft eraser material. It was originally designed for artists and architects who worked with pencil drawings and needed a way to gently erase without grinding down the paper surface. Instead of rubbing like a solid eraser, you lightly tap, dab, or softly wipe the pad across the surface. The eraser crumbs inside break loose and act almost like a very fine, dry-cleaning powder that lifts dirt and light surface grime.
We recommend using the drafting eraser pad on any vintage comic book from 1955-1999 that is predominately a red, yellow, or green cover. These inks are notorious for color rub or eraser damage while using erasers. Amateur comic book pressers will struggle trying to use erasers for these types of books. When it comes to comic books, especially ones with red or yellow ink on the cover, the pad has to be used with extreme care. These colors are the most fragile—red and yellow inks from the Silver and Bronze Age tend to scuff, fade, or lose pigment very easily. If you rub too hard, you’ll pull the color right off the cover, leaving a dull or whitish spot known as “color rub.”
The correct way to use a drafter’s pad on a comic cover is to very gently tap or roll it over small problem areas where surface dirt has built up—never grind it in. The eraser crumbs will deposit on the cover, and you can softly sweep them away with a clean brush. On yellow or red covers, this should only be attempted for light dirt or haze, not scratches, color breaks, or deep staining, because the pad can’t repair missing ink.
USES
Safe use: Removing a light fingerprint smudge or haze of dirt.
Unsafe use: Trying to erase scratches, scuffs, or color rub on fragile red/yellow inks. Improperly rubbing too hard will cause color rub.
Storage: Always store the drafting pad inside a plastic bag while not in use. The shavings will get everywhere on your other tools and equipment!
WARNING
Warning: You must remove all eraser shavings once cleaning has been completed. If any eraser shavings are missed, these fine tiny pieces get under book covers and will press concave divots after pressing. Conversely, any shavings that are left remaining on top of book covers will press convex pebbling divots directly onto the book cover surface after pressing. Using a makeup brush or Swiffer Sweeper duster sheets can remove shavings from the workspace area.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, a drafter’s eraser pad can be a helpful tool in a comic cleaner’s kit, but it’s a very messy tool that can cause severe damage to a book cover if you are not absolutely careful.
HOW TO USE A DRAFTING ERASER PAD
1. INTERIOR LAYERS
1. INTERIOR LAYERS
1. INTERIOR LAYERS
1. Insert interior stacking layers to support the spine. 2 magazine sized backer boards or a fullback at the centerfold. 1 sheet of 65 lb cardstock + SRP Paper underneath covers. If the spine is shredded, place 2 pages back from cover.
2. ROLL THE PAD
1. INTERIOR LAYERS
1. INTERIOR LAYERS
2. This method is optimal for yellow and red covers. Tap the eraser pad on the cover and roll it around on the intended area. You will see fine tiny erasure shavings appearing from the eraser pad.
3. DO NOT RUB
1. INTERIOR LAYERS
4. TAP AND ROLL
3. Do not rub the eraser pad back and forth in one spot, causing friction. This friction will remove color, causing erasure marks.
4. TAP AND ROLL
6. REMOVE ALL SHAVINGS
4. TAP AND ROLL
4. Always gently tap the pad on the cover and roll it around in one area. It's important that you don't rub - back and forth like a sponge.,
5. NO ERASURE
6. REMOVE ALL SHAVINGS
6. REMOVE ALL SHAVINGS
5. Keep inspecting the area every few seconds to verify there are no signs of color rub or erasure marks.
6. REMOVE ALL SHAVINGS
6. REMOVE ALL SHAVINGS
6. REMOVE ALL SHAVINGS
6. It's super important to gather up all the fine eraser shavings when using this product. This includes removing all interior stacking layers and checking underneath both covers. One fine tiny speck of eraser pad shaving will press a divot into book covers.
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