Posted by Luckydog on 4/5/13 11:26am
Msg #464560

any ideas on cleaning the rubber stamp?

Does anyone have a good idea on how to clean the notary stamp impression? Mine is a few months from expiring and was trying to hold off with no luck, but need to try and get it through a few more days until it's replacement arrives on Tuesday. I tried the tape method, and helped slightly. Any suggestions helpful for a nice clear stamp. It is getting rejected from lenders as not clear, and is blotchy looking.
Thanks

Reply by 101livescan on 4/5/13 11:34am
Msg #464562

You're in an area of high heat and humidity, which rubber responds to, in a negative way, so it deteriorates quicker. I usually end up having to reorder two years into my commission due to heavy use.

It just might be that the rubber impressions are "fraying". I'm amazed that my pajama bottoms' elastic tops don't last forever, how come?

Try removing all the ink on it now with lemon juice. Iet it air dry completely. Then re-ink, wait a few hours for total saturation and see if the image is improved. Sometimes I've found that the stamp picks up "rag", pieces of lint from the paper. Paper qualities range no matter what you pay for it.

I can't think of any other methods. But coming from a clean "green" perspective, this is what I would try.

Maybe someone else has a better idea. Good luck.

Reply by ME/NJ on 4/5/13 11:48am
Msg #464565

Please tell me you're not that cheap to spend 20 bucks n/m

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 4/5/13 11:49am
Msg #464566

OP said....

"Mine is a few months from expiring and was trying to hold off with no luck, but need to try and get it through a few more days until it's replacement arrives on Tuesday"

Reply by Luckydog on 4/5/13 12:00pm
Msg #464567

Re: Please tell me you're not that cheap to spend 20 bucks

Not at all, costing me just under $75.00 with priority fed ex for the new one by Tuesday AM. (now I know why the title co. are switching to UPS) Just have another closing this afternoon, and want to avoid any further problems. Thanks for the suggestion with the lemon juice.
I was thinking rubbing alcohol as well, but scared to try it, then would be without if it melted it.
I have it in a spray bottle, so was thinking a light spritz wouldn't hurt? Anyone try that?

Reply by sigtogo/OR on 4/5/13 12:08pm
Msg #464568

I would think it depends on the type of stamp you use

why not check with the manufacturer? XStamper recommends rubbing alcohol if the tape doesn't work.

Reply by Luckydog on 4/5/13 12:15pm
Msg #464569

Re: I would think it depends on the type of stamp you use

Thanks Sigtogo! I am going to try it and see what happens. That is really what I was looking for.

Reply by Luckydog on 4/5/13 12:43pm
Msg #464575

Re: I would think it depends on the type of stamp you use

It worked! Rubbing alcohol and a small needle to clean in between and tape...75% better.

Reply by Susan Fischer on 4/5/13 1:14pm
Msg #464584

Rubbing alcohol and old toothbrush - brusha brusha brusha... n/m

Reply by Belinda/CA on 4/5/13 1:18pm
Msg #464585

I would not buy another one at this point either. What

you can do is place scotch tape over the stamp and gently rub. Then pull free. Do this all over the stamp.

Paper fibers build up on the stamp and this method removes those. Hopefully this will help get you by. It is a good idea to do this as maintanence.

Reply by FlaNotary2 on 4/5/13 1:31pm
Msg #464591

Stamp and seal care

I have used hand sanitizer and a paper towel to clean my rubber stamp.

Some tips from Msg # 337301

Here is a few tips I have accumulated for caring for your stamp and seal, most of which I got from co-workers or other notaries:

- If you have a self-inking stamp, you can clear it of dust and paper particles by locking or holding the stamp in the down position, and placing scotch tape over the actual rubber stamp part, pushing down on it so that any particles stuck in the stamp will cling to the tape, and then removing it.

- For embossing pocket seals, it is good to leave the seal in the down-locked position so that the two sides of the embosser stay together... high temperatures can loosen the glue that holds the bottom impression in place and this can cause the two impressions to become misaligned.

- Reink your stamp at the first sign that the impression is lighter than it should be. Even if it is just slightly lighter, when documents get recorded the clerk often has to adjust contrast settings which can make the stamp barely appear or not appear at all.

I have destroyed two stamps; prior to destruction I made an entry in my journal that stated "this stamp destroyed at _____p.m. on ___(date)___, by me, ___(name)___. Last imprint prior to destruction:" and then put one last imprint before destroying the stamp.