Restoring a buildsheet and inspection sheet

[Z28DL]

My friend is the original owner of a 1970 LS6 Chevelle SS and recently found his buildsheet and an inspection sheet on top of his gas tank. The build sheet is in poor condition and in pieces. You can still make out the LS6 454, Vin, and alot of other information. I am looking for information on how he can flatten, clean and perserve this very important piece of documentation. Any information on how to restore or who can do it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Dave L.
SoCal

[69SSZL1]

Do not try it yourself. This is a job for a Paper Conservator. Look for one thru a museum or Google. They use special methods and chemicals to restore and preserve documents. Some have experiance with Corvette Tank Stickers as well. It is well worth the money for that car.

[mockingbird812]

Dave ngtflyr has done research on this. Give him a holler.

[email protected]

[firstgenaddict]

I have cleaned neutralized and preserved many build sheets, the most common issues other than physically being destroyed are Tar and rust. Tar is easy, the rust is a bear as it acidifies the sheet of paper which is how some pulp mills break fiber down from wood chips... this causes the most destruction of build sheets.

[Ngtflyr]

Unfortunately I haven't had much success finding an outfit that will take it on. My 69z gas tank buildsheet is very deteriorated, in multiple pieces, and has blackened over time to an unreadable state for most it. I know it can be done, museums restore documents all the time, I figure that is the most likely avenue. Just got to find the right guy. I even contacted a place in NYC that does document restoration and even has a Shelby Cobra buildsheet as an example. They weren't interested in tackling my problem. If anyone has any leads I would be very appreciative.

[x Baldwin Motion]

here is one place that says they can do almost everything with old docs.....
http://www.acapaperrestoration.com/common-art-restoration-problems.shtml

[67L78conv]

Many moons ago when I used to own a comic and collectible store I used to use the services of a very nice woman named Susan from The Restoration Lab in Boston. Although she primarily works with comics she used to be willing to work with other types of paper material. Prices were very reasonable back then but I have not had use for her services in over 10 years so cannot say for current work and prices. When I was using her for work though it was excellent every time with good turn around. You may want to give her a try as the damage to your sheet is not very different than the damage seen on many comics with the exception of the tar that is.

Their website is - http://www.therestorationlab.com/

If they are not interested in tackling it, Comic restoration people are a decent avenue to look into as they often deal with many different types of paper restoration issues and if they are good can handle just about everything.

[luzl78]

if the buildsheet is still on the tank just leave it on the tank and don't touch it. put a new tank in. the original sheet is just a confirmation of the value of the car so i don't think it matters if it's on the original tank. it only matters when you sell the car.

[Bill Pritchard]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: luzl78</div><div class="ubbcode-body">if the buildsheet is still on the tank just leave it on the tank and don't touch it.</div></div>

If it's still on the tank (and the way I read the original post in this thread, it appears that's the case) it will continue to degrade, even if the tank is removed from the car....by the time the owner may want to sell the car, it may be completely worthless. I think the idea here is to do something that not only may improve it's readability, but prevent it from further degradation.

[Xplantdad]

It's not on the car...I have seen pics of it <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

[Ngtflyr]

Unfortunately mine was removed from the tank before I got the car and continues to degrade. I will be looking into both suggestions offered up so far and will let everyone know if I have any luck. It will be a couple weeks due to work and my daughter visiting right now.

[Z28DL]

I want to thank everyone that has responded. It sounds like the best and safest way to have this done is by a professional. If anybody has any more suggestions on what to do or who can do it please let me know.
Thanks Again,
Dave L.
SoCal

[chads454Ls6]

I had a buildsheet that was so bad that if you touched it it would fall apart. the only thing i thought to do was to bring to kinkos and have them laminate it. That worked as it stopped degrading but it is now laminated and some people do not like that.