Found my build sheet! Need help softening paper

[PNW68ChargerRT]

So I just found my build sheet to my 68 Charger Rt. When I bought the car, I was told it wasn't there. Turns out It was stashed above the heater box.

The paper itself is very brittle and was falling a part as it was being handled very carefully. What is the best way to soften the paper to make it malleable? TIA

 

[Fran Blacker]

Humidity I think would help in small doses of vapor. If you try it use a part that has no info. I'm talking very little to start with. Might want to google how to save dried out paper documents.

 

[Triplegreen500]

Could try putting it in the microwave NEXT to a damp paper towel...

 

[Car #4]

This might sound crazy but aunt always put a slice of bread in the container with her cookies or brownies. It kept them moist. Perhaps that would work. The moisture in the bread would migrate to the paper. Perhaps.

 

[ChargerST]

It seems that not a lot can be done..

Here's what the library of Congress has to say about it:

"Once paper becomes brittle, very little can be done to strengthen it so that items can be safely handled. The accepted traditional method is to line a document with thin, stable, translucent archival grade paper such as Japanese tissue, using approved stable and reversible adhesive"

 

[Photon440]

Unrolling Old Rolled Paper Documents, Drawings, Photographs and Maps with Care.

 

[69hemibeep]

I had to steam mine open it was wadded up like trash

 

[Fran Blacker]

About the micowave heat a wet rag heat the rag first then put the paper in. the fan will blow it around. Might want to have tweezers with a wide tips to handle pieces.

 

[Richard Cranium]

You might want to bring it into the curators at the Smithsonian.

 

[Coelacanth]

I hear ya. Mine is still in the back seat, but the paper is totally adhered to the seat springs and crammed up in the corner. It's too fragile to pull out. When I pull the springs, the paper comes with it and starts to tear. Not sure how I'm gonna remove it without major damage...

 

[Triplegreen500]

I hear ya. Mine is still in the back seat, but the paper is totally adhered to the seat springs and crammed up in the corner. It's too fragile to pull out. When I pull the springs, the paper comes with it and starts to tear. Not sure how I'm gonna remove it without major damage...

View attachment 1852488

its like removing a stamp, or steaming an envelope open...

 

[Fran Blacker]

Wonder if dental floss no steam or with steam. Start in a no info area of BS. Maybe you can pull springs away from foam, maybe it would be a disaster. Mine came tight out, but my car was only 25years old.