Comicare Backer Boards - Are They Acid-Free?

[rollingdirty]

I bought some current size Comicare brand backer boards. The package doesn't specify if they are acid-free. I can't find a website for the company anywhere.

Does anyone know if these boards are acid-free?

Thanks!

[Iangould]

I bought some current size Comicare brand backer boards. The package doesn't specify if they are acid-free. I can't find a website for the company anywhere.

Does anyone know if these boards are acid-free?

Thanks!

For most recent comics it doesn't matter.

Comics used to be produced on newsprint manufactured using what as known as an acid-pulp process. This paper contained relatively high levels of acid which leached out over time.

No major US publisher has used newsprint for a decade or more.

[dupont2005]

Never heard of the company, but I'm absolutely sure they aren't. Many companies claim to have acid free boards, the only one that has been proven to remain acid neutral and acrival quality over time are Gerber boards. They would be a special order item for most people, and you'd notice the price difference. That and the boards in question didn't even bother to make the claim. But like Ian said, it doesn't really matter. I use cheap boards.

[rollingdirty]

For most recent comics it doesn't matter.

Comics used to be produced on newsprint manufactured using what as known as an acid-pulp process. This paper contained relatively high levels of acid which leached out over time.

No major US publisher has used newsprint for a decade or more.

Thanks for that info, I didn't know that.

The comics I am trying to protect are from 1984-1994.

Can't some backer boards have acid in them too? I have seen most backer boards and bags advertised as "acid-free", but the Comicare ones I bought don't specify.

[dupont2005]

Thanks for that info, I didn't know that.

The comics I am trying to protect are from 1984-1994.

Can't some backer boards have acid in them too? I have seen most backer boards and bags advertised as "acid-free", but the Comicare ones I bought don't specify.

They are made out of wood products so as they break down they will become acidic. The shiny side is coated to be acid neutral but they really need to be treated all the way through like in the pulp stage I think or they will become more and more acidic over time. I don't know how bags work but those who are really cautious about that sort of thing say change the bags every five years unless they are Mylar. I have comics that have been in the same bag for 20 years that seem fine, but I also have some 30+ year old bags that have turned yellow. That's probably not good

[rollingdirty]

Cool. Thank you