How to remedy "bricking" in unopened packs.

[jlzinck]

I came across 2 boxes of 93/94 Stadium Club Basketball boxes as well as 2 89 Fleer Baseball boxes.
The Fleer are OK but I can feel the bricking in the Stadium Club Packs.

I see people say heat and some say freeze.

Anyone have any luck with these glossy type cards

[glen87]

Originally Posted by jlzinck

I came across 2 boxes of 93/94 Stadium Club Basketball boxes as well as 2 89 Fleer Baseball boxes.
The Fleer are OK but I can feel the bricking in the Stadium Club Packs.

I see people say heat and some say freeze.

Anyone have any luck with these glossy type cards

[corndog]

I have never had any success unbricking cards.
Cards that had UV coating on both sides were highly susceptible.

[Siberian13]

Microwave on high for 30 seconds then put in oven at 250 degrees for 15 minutes.

[oldgoldy97]

When we have paper products brick at work we end up smacking them on a flat surface and then using air to separate them. But our stuff isn’t decades old.

You could try steaming one chunk. The moisture might help.

Or ruin it.

Let us know.

[BostonNut]

93/94 Stadium Club is terrible design.

[jlzinck]

Maybe I will ask elsewhere.

[TheHeel]

I asked Gemini. Here is what it came up with:

Unbricking 1993 Stadium Club cards is notoriously difficult because of the high-gloss UV coating Topps used that year. Over time, humidity and pressure cause this coating to fuse the cards into a solid "brick."
There is no 100% safe method, but collectors generally use one of the following four techniques. Always test on a common/low-value stack first.
1. The "Freezer & Snap" Method (Most Popular)
Freezing makes the gloss coating brittle, which can help it "snap" away from the card below it rather than peeling the paper off.
* The Process: Place the brick in a sealed Ziploc bag (to prevent condensation) and put it in the freezer for 2–4 hours.
* The Action: Take them out and immediately hold the stack by the corners. Give it a very gentle "twist" or "flex." You should hear a cracking sound as the seal breaks.
* Risk: If you flex too hard, you can crease the cards.
2. The Humidity/Humidpak Method
Some collectors argue that cards brick because the coating has become too dry and brittle.
* The Process: Place the brick in a sealed Tupperware container with a Boveda humidity pack (69% or 72%) or a damp paper towel (ensure the towel does not touch the cards).
* The Action: Let them sit for 48–72 hours. The moisture may soften the gloss enough to allow them to slide apart.
* Risk: Excessive moisture can cause the cardboard to warp or swell.
3. The Hair Dryer / Gentle Heat Method
Heat can occasionally reactivate the "stickiness" just enough to let the cards slide apart rather than tear.
* The Process: Use a hair dryer on a low/medium setting about 6 inches away from the stack for 30 seconds.
* The Action: While the stack is warm, try to gently slide the top card horizontally rather than pulling it vertically.
* Risk: High heat can melt the gloss further or cause the card to curl permanently.
4. The "Slap" Technique
Often used in conjunction with the freezer method.
* The Action: Hold the brick firmly and "slap" it flat against a hard, clean surface (like a table). The vibration can sometimes break the bond of the gloss across the entire surface of the card simultaneously.
Important Tips for 1993 Stadium Club:
* Don't "Peel": Never try to peel a card from the corner like a sticker. This almost always results in "paper loss" (where the photo of the bottom card stays stuck to the back of the top card).
* Go Slow: If you feel significant resistance, stop. Re-freeze or try a different method.
* Acceptance: With 1993 Stadium Club, it is common to have a 20–30% "casualty rate" where some cards are simply unsalvageable due to the chemical bond of the coating.
Would you like me to help you look up the current market value for specific 1993 Stadium Club stars (like Derek Jeter or Murphy) to see which ones are worth the extra effort?

[Boo]

Originally Posted by jlzinck

I came across 2 boxes of 93/94 Stadium Club Basketball boxes as well as 2 89 Fleer Baseball boxes.
The Fleer are OK but I can feel the bricking in the Stadium Club Packs.

I see people say heat and some say freeze.

Anyone have any luck with these glossy type cards

Throw them in with Ted Williams' head, that should do the trick.

[jcardstore]

I’ve tried pretty much every method and have never had success. Good luck

[glen87]

Originally Posted by jlzinck

Maybe I will ask elsewhere.

[Boo]

BTW, 5 stars to combat the OSB

[bigdog2003]

I've never had luck with it. I opened a box of Pinnacle a few years ago and basically threw it all away.

[asujbl]

Don’t open the packs

[49erRCCollector]

I’ve never had luck unbricking. The amount of coating contributes heavily, like some mid 90s UD cards, or early Pacific just feel like a lost cause.

[frenchquarter]

I have tried everything. Refrigerator, freezer, steam, microwave, oven, hair dryer, etc. Nothing works well. If you do manage to get them apart you will have specks of paper loss on the front and the back.

In the past 5 years I have thrown at least 200,000 bricked cards in the garbage. (Our recycling center doesn't want them either.)

It really causes pain when I have to toss 1998 Football or 1996 basketball.

The same applies to cards that are mildewed. Even letting them sit in my garage for 6 months doesn't remove the smell, and the mildew really screws up my allergies.

[BostonNut]

Have you tried driving your bus over them? I’m sure that would loosen them up.

[glen87]

Originally Posted by BostonNut

Have you tried driving your bus over them? I’m sure that would loosen them up.

[frenchquarter]

Originally Posted by BostonNut

Have you tried driving your bus over them? I’m sure that would loosen them up.

Yes, plus I ran over them with my lawn mower .

[jlzinck]

Originally Posted by frenchquarter

Yes, plus I ran over them with my lawn mower .

bevis and butthead were talking to me

[Siberian13]

Originally Posted by jlzinck

bevis and butthead were talking to me

Which one is cornholio?

[ssbledsoe]

Originally Posted by jlzinck

bevis and butthead were talking to me

*Beavis...