General Forum

They must really stick those beggars on!

Try a product which I think is called Goo be Gone or maybe just Goo Gone. If you don't care about the signature that is. I've also heard WD40 works quite well too, if no one has mentioned that yet.  

It’s not easy, especially if it’s your first time or you aren’t doing it regularly to get the feel. I’ve successfully removed about 1/3 of my attempts. I’ve found that it’s a bit easier on glossier cards like chrome/optic stuff if that helps. When you do get one off the sticker tends to curl pretty well making it also difficult to reapply elsewhere though it sounds like your intent is to preserve the original card complicating most advice lol

have you considered just making a custom? Suppose you want the officially produced product given your site name

1. Rubbing alcohol and a Q-tip, erase the autograph and have the ref sign the sticker.

or

2. Buy some cheap auto cards and test on those to figure it out.

I use to use mild astringent to remove ink from cards. The best was original Right Guard. But that's no longer made.

Now I use denatured alcohol or a mild astringent like witch hazel. The higher the alcohol content in the astringent, the better. Test the astringent for quick evaporation.

Might have to pivot from Plan A (removing the sticker) to Plan B (wiping the auto and leaving the sticker). Appreciate you all.

In the worst case scenario, you can scan the card, remove the sticker auto with Photoshop, Gimp or something, then reprint it to your own tastes, maybe enlarged on picture photograph paper? My two cents.

We've talked before and I love your collection concept!  But destroying certified auto cards like this, not a good idea.  I'm glad you're switching to plan B.  Although, plan B has it's flaws too.  Just my opinion.

Since these will be items that have more value in your own personal collection, why not use regular base cards and somehow take pictures of the ref when signing the card for you?  I know this is impossible if you obtain autos through the mail.  Just a thought.

"why not use regular base cards and somehow take pictures of the ref when signing the card for you?"

Typically, I get base cards signed. In this particular case, I can't resist the opportunity to use a card, specifically designed for an auto, to feature the referee. Cards designed for basketball referees' autographs aren't very common.

For me personally, I would have just had the ref sign the card above the AU sticker that was already on the card. Not only would you have that ref's AU on a cool card that would basically be a 1/1, but I'm sure the ref would have been happier to see that you wanted him to "de-face" your AU card with his own signature.