Cleaning cels?

I received a cel with some wax paper(?) stuck to a portion of the top(unpainted) portion of the cel and would like to take the paper off. Any suggestions as to what I might use to do that so as not to damage the acetate? Thank you!

Hiya Cutiebunny,
Here is three ways to remove stuck paper on your cel,#2 is the best way to remove stuck drawings from the cel.

1: You can use a cotton wash cloth or the inside of a cotton T-shirt with hot water,NOTE: (If you have well water do not use it you need distiled water,well water has minerals in it and can leave a film if left on the cel to dry) and hold it on the paper at the stuck part only for a short time and check to see if it comes off if not hold it back on the paper until it comes off,Some clean up is needed to remove any film left over.

2: If you have more time to spend you can let the cel sit next to a open window cel side down at night(night Only)and let the moist air get to it and this will release the paper with no clean up needed.Note: put a soft cloth under the cel so it does not get scratched by whatever you place it on.
I told Leah about this way and she removed stuck drawings without hurting them.this can take a few nights to work,each morning roll the edge of the drawing over its self just little at a time and rotate the cel around and roll the edge of the drawing all the way around the cel
The moist air softens the paper very little and helps the stuck paper release it hold on the cel.
Make sure you let the drawing sit over night on a flat table to dry fully before you store it, I put a weight on my drawings I have removed this way to keep them flat while they dry,I put copy paper inbetween the weight and the drawings so the weight does not hurt the drawings!
Note added:make sure you do not leave the cel in the window the sun will kill your cel, So replace it every night until the paper comes off.
Make sure it will not be raining that night so no water splashes on the cel/drawing.

3: If you have glue or tape goo on the cel, You need to use alcohol on a soft cotton rag or the inside of a cotton T-shirt, Note:(Do not let the alcohol come in contact with the paint if it does let it dry fully before you do anything else with the cel,I try to keep a spare rag handy just in case it does.) and use only the amount needed to release the paper,Do not use the rag dripping wet you only need enough to remove the goo.This can take a few times to remove the goo,Try to hold the rag on the spots for a little while before you wipe the goo off so the alcohol has time to soften the goo,Try to wipe to the outside and not across the cel as this will tend to smear the goo.
Do not press hard when you wipe as this can scratch your cel.
Some clean up may be needed this can be done with distiled water on a very soft rag after you remove the goo and once more push the film if any to the outside and not across the cel.
Note: If you use water or alcohol it can mess up your drawings so try #2 first and use #1 and #3 as a last resort!
I hope this helps some and if you need any more help drop me a email and I'll do my best to help if I can.

Roy

Hi Roy.
Have you ever tried Anti-Static wipes (used for wiping down computer screens)? They seem to have a mild alcoholic solution in them. Just wondering. If I had a crappy cel that I didn't mind ruining I would test it out myself.
Best,
Mark

Hiya Mark
Be real careful most anti-static wipes have oils in them that can leave a film thats hard to remove,The oil is what helps them to be anti-static.
The alcohol wipes in first aid kits work very well to remove tape goo and glue and there easy to use,make sure you wring out the wipe so it does not drip or run onto the painted part of the cel,You still need to clean any film left on the cel with distiled water if needed.
I have used unscented baby wipes and they work realy well for cleaning but check the label for oils and scents before you use them and if they have them don't use them,you may still have to clean up any leftover film with distiled water.
Most of the things I talk about here I have done lots of times and I have used hundreds of cels to test these on.
What is most important is to take your time and not hurry when cleaning cels they tend to be real easy to scratch so be real careful.

Roy

Please note: That if you have muti-layed cels that are stuck together, Be careful they act like wicks and the fluid will be drawn inbetween the cels and it seem to go right for the paint,I always put a small strip of paper towel around the cels inbetween the layers to grab any fluid and this gives you time to remove it before it can come in contact with the paint,Replace the paper as soon as it gets wet with a new one for safety!

Hey guys just for info,Most but not all studios clean dust and finger prints from the cels with distiled water and a soft rag before the cels are shot on camera so they have nothing on them to be picked up by the camera.
Distiled water will not hurt your cels or the paint as long as you remove it all after cleaning.
Try not to wipe hard but dab the extra water off this way it cuts down on scratches that can happen if you rub to hard.
Always let the cel dry overnight before storage this cuts down on the chance of mold from water left on the cel.

Roy