Tipping in a Torn Out Page

 Book Mending Index

As I am very neglectful and many people ask, I am posting a link to Michigan State University's instructions on mending a torn out book page.

...at least you'll have something to work with :)

http://www.lib.msu.edu/preservation/tipping-in.jsp

Besides --  you might like them better in the end -- they have AWESOME book mend how-to's. Leave it to the Universities :)

Gluing 'Out'

Book Mending Index

Gluing Out

Super simple -- but pictures show it best . . .

Locking a Thread onto the Needle

When you make your own books--as you sew your signatures--you use a waxed linen thread.

To eliminate a little frustration, lock the thread onto your needle.

No more accidental pulling the thread out of the needle half way through your project :)

Book Mending Index

1- Thread the needle

2- Flatten a section of thread near the tail with the bone folder

3- Pierce the flattened section

4- Pull thread down onto the needle

5- Keep pulling thread until tight and locked in

 

Now don't you wish this worked with regular thread too?

Book Mending Mini Series -- Separated Spine

Sewing the Text Block Back In

Mending for a book where the cover is intact, but the end-sheets are broken or separated.

Book Mending Index

Supplies:

Book Cloth (paper on one side, fabric on the other)

PVA adhesive

Flat tip paint brush

Sharp 'exacto' blade

Weight or covered block

Masking strips
Silicone release paper
 (it looks like--but works better than--wax paper)

 

_______________

Let's get Started

1- Evaluate the separation. 

Is it completely pulled out, or is the crash still holding it in a little bit?

2- Fully separate the section of the text block from the side of the cover that you are going to repair. 
Use a sharp blade to cut the mesh.
One-sided or both. This book has only the one side that will need a repair.

3- Make and tip-in a New Supporting Gutter Strip / Hinge
(sorry, I sometimes will use my own labels. Someday I might have to look up--and remember--the real terminology)

Book Mending Index

I have been, and am still working on, posting links on book mending. Use this index to link to each topic.
(I will activate the link as I post each topic)

Getting Started
When to Repair a Book
Basic Book Mending Kit
Supply Links, along with a few referrals


Mending
Tipping in a Torn out Page
     for when the page has been ripped out at it's roots (in the gutter)
Mending a Tear
     all the pieces are there, it's just ripped and torn
Archival Tissue Mends
      when you are missing a part of a page
Water Damage Fixes
      from little spills to full immersion
Cloth Spine Replacement
       for dog-eared and ripped spines
Fix a Separating Text Block
        for when the cover is fine, and the text block is fine, but the two are no longer together.


Preventative and One-Step Simple  Fixes
How to Open a New Book
Making a Mylar Book Cover
Mending Frayed Book Corners
Erasing Tips


Tech Tips
Locking Waxed Thread onto Needle
Gluing 'Out'

Book Mending Mini-Series --Water Damaged Book Repair

Water damaged book? 

Book Mending Index

Here's how to fix it . . .

First: Is there mold? If there is mold, discard the book. It is not worth keeping, mold spreads. Get it out of your home.

Second: Ask, is this book worth the time and effort to fix? Is it easily replaceable? If the answer is yes, don't spend your time and money on a repair that ends up being more expensive than a replacement.

Are you still willing to do the mend?

 Supplies:

Misting Sprayer
Mylar
Pellon Liner
Blotter Paper
Press Board
Weights


1- Isolate the page to be mended. Mylar or another water barrier needs to be placed both UNDER and on the NEXT page of the book. Large pieces please, you really don't want to create more work for yourself.

2- TEST your ink! Do you have a personalization on the page? It's usually been done with water soluble ink. Again, you will be creating a worse mess if you proceed.

 3- Still ready to proceed?

Start your Water Damage Sandwich --

Mylar protection sheet ON TOP of any bottom pages.
Blotter paper ON the Mylar
Pellon Liner ON the Blotter paper
--damaged page on top

(remember to have Mylar on the opposite pages for their protection)


 Lightly mist your damaged page. Yes, it's 'Hair of the Dog' for mending water damage.
 . . . the water will relax the fibers in your paper, allowing you to press them back into shape.

 4. After misting your page, it's time to finish your Water Damage Sandwich:

 Pellon Liner ON the page

 Blotter Paper on the Pellon

Close the book
Board on top of the book

 Weights on the Board

 Let dry

 

Tada! Done.

What if your ENTIRE book is water damaged?

First: Are the cover boards warped? You are looking at a bigger repair than what I am covering here. You will need a rebinding, not just water damage repair.

Supplies:
- Large tub with a lid -- large enough to hold your book if it is standing upright.

-Smaller tub that JUST fits inside the first tub with a few inches between where it can be suspended above the bottom of the first tub. --it's a tricky fit. Look closely at the picture. YOU DO NOT WANT the interior tub to flip over and thusly SOAK your book during the process!

-Lots of  HOT water.

1- Fill bigger tub with HOT water, up to the bottom of the interior tub.

 2- Fan book out inside interior tub

 3- Use a comb if the book won't stay open

 Like this...

 4- Close the lid. Let sit overnight.

5- Remove moisturized book, now put it in a press until dry.

Book Mending -- mini series / Torn pages

It's the A.Dean Larsen Book Collectors Conference time of year again!

This year we learned how to do some book mending -- I know you are all just dying to learn how to mend your books (ha, ha, you're going to get it anyway) so on your mark, get set . . .

Book Mending Index

MENDING TORN PAGES

 The PVA Way

FIRST, ask yourself:  
Time costs money. Is it worth the time?
Is the book easily and cheaply replaceable?

Will you be decreasing the value of an antique by mending it?
 

Supplies:

 

-Book with torn page/s

-PVA Glue (Polyvinyl Acetate--Neutral PH)

-Large flat synthetic paint brush

-Silicone Release paper or Parchment paper (not wax paper, although it will do if you are in a bind)

-Teflon or Bone Folder

Teflon folder

Water and Paper Towels for clean-up

Weights, for pressure after (or a stack of books)

 

Before you start: 

If it is your personal book, go ahead, mend away. Try out your skills.

If the book in question is an antique--but still your own--use caution.

If the book is a LIBRARY book . . . we will hunt you down and make you pay . . . ha, ha. 

    But seriously, do not attempt to mend library books. You do not have access to the same tools, materials or expertise that libraries have. And they will make you pay--for the whole book, not just a cheap page mend fee.

1- Protect the pages underneath with a Silcone Release paper or Parchment paper.

2- Dip your paint brush in the pot of PVA. 

Tap off excess against the side of the jar. 

LESS IS BETTER. 

Gently but thoroughly apply PVA to the feathered edges of the tear. 

3- IMMEDIATELY place torn edges together and press smooth.

4- Burnish seam with a Teflon or Bone folder 








NOTE: 
This method does NOT work with scissor cuts. It is best for those ragged tears that have a lot of feathering on the edges.

PVA TIP: 
PVA dries fast. Cover your pot. Keep lid closed
Ordering online? Do not have your PVA shipped in cold weather. It cannot be allowed to freeze--at least not if you ever want to use it for more than a rather unattractive paper weight.
 

 

MEND ACCOMPLISHED

 

 A PVA mend to a 'LIFTED' tear

-where the paper has been lifted, or peeled up

 1- Apply PVA to lifted flap. Work fairly quick, quicker if your are in a dry climate.



--it's always a good idea to ISOLATE your mending page. Put Parchment paper underneath the page, even if the tear is not open to the page underneath.









2- Place parchment or silicone release paper on top of mend.











3- Shut book. If you have a nice flat board, place it on top of the book and then weight everything down.

At home, just place a stack of books -same sized and solid, for an alternative work around.

Warning: 

It looks easier than it really is, but with a little skill, you too can fix those personal, but well worn treasures, or a few of those salvaged books from the discard piles at your local library, or your neighborhood garage sales, or even your favorite used book stores.


This post would not have happened if not for the Harold B Lee Library's Archival and Mending department, the A. Dean Larsen Book Collecting Conference and instructors, James F. and Christina T.