History How to restore photos and programs

I'm looking for advice to restore my photos and race programs from the 40s & 50s. My basement flooded a while back and it water logged my collection. Some of my friends and their cars were pitctured, most who have passed.

I tried to dry them but the pictures have molded over and the programs are stuck togther.

Chess

 

Sorry to hear about the damage. An art restoration expert might be able to help but it will cost $$$.

Pics from the 40s and 50s, any famous names?

 

I am far from an expert but I think you could soak the photos in water, peel them apart and then dry them. No thoughts on the programs.

Charlie Stephens

 

Try your local library they might be able to help out with some advise

 

If the emulsion is damaged and coming off there is very little you can do. However, if the photos are simply curled they can be saved to some extent. A process I have tried and succeeded in doing is ironing the photos. I use a good quality Black & Decker iron on the steam setting. Get a good sized wood block. Place a bath towel over the wood block. Place the photo upside down over the bath towel. Place another bath towel over the photo. CAREFULLY apply the iron. NEVER hold the iron still in one place. It's OK to turn over the photo and iron the emulsion side. carefully. If you use common sense, logic and reason the process will work. I did this to hundreds of 8 X 10 photos from the 1950's and it works. Just remember YOU CAN GO TOO FAR! The more you do this process you will learn the art of saving ruined photos.

 

You could also convert them to digital by having them scanned and repair them using photo manipulation software such as Adobe Photoshop.

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Excellent idea. Also try google and maybe post a question on a "Photo Forum", such as http://www.photoforum.com Get a plan before you start and go slow as it is easy to do more damage.

Charlie Stephens

 

Microwave the programs. Sometimes that works with books to unstick them. Not sure about photos.

 

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. I never thought about using a mircowave. I guess you're never too old to learn.

The pictures were of my friends like Pappy Evans. I had pictures of Pappy wrenching on cars. He was a very nice man.

Chess

 

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. I never thought about using a mircowave. I guess you're never too old to learn.

The pictures were of my friends like Pappy Evans. I had pictures of Pappy wrenching on cars. He was a very nice man.

Chess