Straightening paperbacks

"user" <no-one.DeleteThis@this.net> wrote in message
news:j6r4t1lfjv9o15d0ic367d84fgslp1macn@4ax.com...
>
>
> Does anyone know of a way to "straighten" paperbacks?
>
> That is, one that have considerable slant and roll -- it there a way
> to return them to some semblance of "straight" and square?
>
> Thanks.

Assuming this is a modern paperback.

The PVA which forms the spine of the paperback can become "set"
at an angle. The problem with PVA is that it's impervious to
most solvents and normal atmospheric conditions - in terms of
temperature and humidity. That's why its used in the first
place. And so there's no way to "soften it up", or restore
its elasticity.

The best hope of trying to correct it is to straighten
out the book and place weights on top of it or put it in a press for
a longish period. However this will probably depend on how long
the book retained the slanted shape. Basically if it's been
sitting on a shelf in that position for the past three years
and so "learned" that shape, then its unlikely you'll be able to
rectify the position in a couple of weeks. If at all.

PVA has a degree of elasticity when new - hence its ability to
be bent into the slanted shape. However with time as with all
plastics its likely that this elasticity will be lost and eventually
turn to brittleness. So whether the book can be returned to its
original shape will depend on how much elasticity remains in
the PVA. And how patient you're prepared to be.


michael adams

....
 >> Stay informed about: Straightening paperbacks 

>>Does anyone know of a way to "straighten" paperbacks?
>>>
>>> That is, one that have considerable slant and roll -- it there a way
>>> to return them to some semblance of "straight" and square?
>>>
>>> Thanks.
>
>
> Assuming this is a modern paperback.
>
> The PVA which forms the spine of the paperback can become "set"
> at an angle. The problem with PVA is that it's impervious to
> most solvents and normal atmospheric conditions - in terms of
> temperature and humidity. That's why its used in the first
> place. And so there's no way to "soften it up", or restore
> its elasticity.
>
> The best hope of trying to correct it is to straighten
> out the book and place weights on top of it or put it in a press for
> a longish period. However this will probably depend on how long
> the book retained the slanted shape. Basically if it's been
> sitting on a shelf in that position for the past three years
> and so "learned" that shape, then its unlikely you'll be able to
> rectify the position in a couple of weeks. If at all.
>
> PVA has a degree of elasticity when new - hence its ability to
> be bent into the slanted shape. However with time as with all
> plastics its likely that this elasticity will be lost and eventually
> turn to brittleness. So whether the book can be returned to its
> original shape will depend on how much elasticity remains in
> the PVA. And how patient you're prepared to be.
>
>
> michael adams

He might try straightening it, holding it straight under weights,
and applying hot air to the spine via a hair dryer, then letting
it cool. Don't know if it will work, but heat just might soften
the glue. I'm familiar with this problem, it's a bitch. Once the
spines go crooked, they never come back, under ordinary handling.
 >> Stay informed about: Straightening paperbacks 

"Al Smith" <invalid DeleteThis @address.com> wrote in message
news:dvQAf.160176$Ph4.4848060@ursa-nb00s0.nbnet.nb.ca...
>>>Does anyone know of a way to "straighten" paperbacks?
>>>>
>>>> That is, one that have considerable slant and roll -- it there a way
>>>> to return them to some semblance of "straight" and square?
>>>>
>>>> Thanks.
>>
>>
>> Assuming this is a modern paperback.
>>
>> The PVA which forms the spine of the paperback can become "set"
>> at an angle. The problem with PVA is that it's impervious to
>> most solvents and normal atmospheric conditions - in terms of
>> temperature and humidity. That's why its used in the first
>> place. And so there's no way to "soften it up", or restore
>> its elasticity.
>>
>> The best hope of trying to correct it is to straighten
>> out the book and place weights on top of it or put it in a press for
>> a longish period. However this will probably depend on how long
>> the book retained the slanted shape. Basically if it's been
>> sitting on a shelf in that position for the past three years
>> and so "learned" that shape, then its unlikely you'll be able to
>> rectify the position in a couple of weeks. If at all.
>>
>> PVA has a degree of elasticity when new - hence its ability to
>> be bent into the slanted shape. However with time as with all
>> plastics its likely that this elasticity will be lost and eventually
>> turn to brittleness. So whether the book can be returned to its
>> original shape will depend on how much elasticity remains in
>> the PVA. And how patient you're prepared to be.
>>
>>
>> michael adams
>
> He might try straightening it, holding it straight under weights, and
> applying hot air to the spine via a hair dryer, then letting it cool.
> Don't know if it will work, but heat just might soften the glue. I'm
> familiar with this problem, it's a bitch. Once the spines go crooked, they
> never come back, under ordinary handling.

I've had a bit of success using clamps, by forcing the spine
a bit in the opposite direction, then clamping; however, I only
do this on less-valuable books.

Kris
 >> Stay informed about: Straightening paperbacks 

>>He might try straightening it, holding it straight under weights, and
>>> applying hot air to the spine via a hair dryer, then letting it cool.
>>> Don't know if it will work, but heat just might soften the glue. I'm
>>> familiar with this problem, it's a bitch. Once the spines go crooked, they
>>> never come back, under ordinary handling.
>
>
> I've had a bit of success using clamps, by forcing the spine
> a bit in the opposite direction, then clamping; however, I only
> do this on less-valuable books.
>
> Kris

In the past I've tried to straighten them by putting them straight
into tight bookshelves, so that the books on either side hold them
straight, and leaving them for weeks. Doesn't seem to work. I
haven't tried heat, but it might be worth a try. Hot air will
soften old, hard paint -- they use hot air guns to strip paint
from buildings.
 >> Stay informed about: Straightening paperbacks 

On Sat, 21 Jan 2006 21:43:40 -0600, Jon Meyers
<stlouisTAKEbooks.RemoveThis@MEcharter.OUTnet> wrote:

>user wrote:
>>
>> Does anyone know of a way to "straighten" paperbacks?
>>
>> That is, one that have considerable slant and roll -- it there a way
>> to return them to some semblance of "straight" and square?
>
>
>A note in the FAQ-- http://www.rcbfaq.com Section 4.16--suggests that a
>few seconds in a microwave can soften the glue enough that the spine can
>be reshaped to a certain extent, though I guess it would depend on what
>type of adhesive was used and what happened to it as it aged. If you
>try this, experiment first with a book you don't care about, and begin
>with very short "cooking" times.

I had a friend who was really, really good at this, but I've never
quite gotten the hang of it. It helps, I guess, if you have a stack
of ratty old potboilers you can experiment on, but I get nervous
whenever I try it. But I will emphasize that I have, in fact, seen it
work well on more than one occasion.
 >> Stay informed about: Straightening paperbacks