sixdegrees Posted March 7, 2021 Posted March 7, 2021 I recently acquired the Tarot of Mystical Moments, and while I find the art charming, I was disappointed to see that the sides of the cards are gilded in silver. I generally find gilding annoying and loathe the rise of its popularity in the last few years. It often makes shuffling difficult and renders the cards needlessly sharp, and its ubiquity means that it is not even a special or lux characteristic anymore. However, I do acknowledge that there is variation in gilding quality. The highest quality gilding stays firmly on the card. The second highest quality comes off on my hands in small sparkles as I shuffle. The lowest quality chips on the cards as I shuffle (usually almost immediately), and it often arrives out of the box pre-chipped. I was sad to discover that the Mystical Moments is of the second variety. I cannot use it without having my hands shine with silver sparkles afterward, and I am so annoyed at this. I imagine that over time it will cease, but has anyone else discovered a reliable fix for this issue? Short of trimming the deck, is there a way to slough off quickly what will come off anyway in handling it? Sandpaper, perhaps? And am I the only one bothered by the rise of middling-quality gilding in the tarot community?!
ilweran Posted March 7, 2021 Posted March 7, 2021 Can't help with the sparkles, but agree there is too much gilding of tarot decks these days. Less is more, I think! (Though I do like the matt gilding on The Gentle Tarot. I would make that an exception.)
LogicalHue Posted March 7, 2021 Posted March 7, 2021 I'm considering Mystical Moments but I saw that it is gilded and glossy which is frustrating because I think of those as Schiffer moves and this is from US Games. Not at all a fan of gilding. If it doesn't come off and the deck is shuffle-able I can take or leave it but usually that's not the case. I don't feel that it ever really adds any value even when done well.
AJ-ish/Sharyn Posted March 8, 2021 Posted March 8, 2021 Used to be quite common to get decks that had a little point on all four sides, some kind of perforation point in the cutting I think. a sturdy nail block was good for sanding them down, I expect the same would be applicable for toning down gilding. They look like this for anyone who hasn't had a manicure/pedicure. https://www.amazon.com/Buffers-Tapered-Diamond-Professional-Manicure/dp/B07VQ5ZW2S/ref=asc_df_B07VQ5ZW2S/? They come in grit type from fairly useless to take off house paint. Can be found anywhere beauty supplies are sold.
sixdegrees Posted April 4, 2021 Author Posted April 4, 2021 On 3/8/2021 at 6:07 AM, AJ-ish/Sharyn said: Used to be quite common to get decks that had a little point on all four sides, some kind of perforation point in the cutting I think. a sturdy nail block was good for sanding them down, I expect the same would be applicable for toning down gilding. They look like this for anyone who hasn't had a manicure/pedicure. https://www.amazon.com/Buffers-Tapered-Diamond-Professional-Manicure/dp/B07VQ5ZW2S/ref=asc_df_B07VQ5ZW2S/? They come in grit type from fairly useless to take off house paint. Can be found anywhere beauty supplies are sold. I will look into this! I imagine that some amount of rubbing will help--the question is how much. I suppose that I can always trim the damn thing too...
sixdegrees Posted November 3, 2021 Author Posted November 3, 2021 I've recently acquired the Shadow Light Tarot and have discovered its almost toothpaste-like silver gilding that comes off in sparkly globs on my hand. WHEN WILL THIS INSANITY END?! (But seriously, if anyone else has great ideas for gently and safely wearing away bad gilding, I'll all ears.)
AJ-ish/Sharyn Posted November 3, 2021 Posted November 3, 2021 have you tried the nail block listed above? I've been using 5"X8" framing mat board for my collage work, and the last batch I ordered had really fuzzy sides, dull cutting blade I think. Anyway a few swipes with the heavier block took quick care of it. You could also use a medium grade sandpaper on a wood block... Myself, I'd return the deck.
katrinka Posted November 3, 2021 Posted November 3, 2021 If you go with the nail block, get more than one. They do work well, but the grit wears away pretty quickly. Luckily, they're inexpensive.
sixdegrees Posted November 6, 2021 Author Posted November 6, 2021 On 11/3/2021 at 9:38 AM, AJ-ish/Sharyn said: have you tried the nail block listed above? I've been using 5"X8" framing mat board for my collage work, and the last batch I ordered had really fuzzy sides, dull cutting blade I think. Anyway a few swipes with the heavier block took quick care of it. You could also use a medium grade sandpaper on a wood block... Myself, I'd return the deck. Not yet, but I do think it's worth pursuing. I guess I'm just a little nervous that it could end up destroying the deck, so I think I need to go with a very lightly abrasive version. I've also been contemplating the use of a soft cloth (like you would use for eyeglasses or computer screens) to simply rub away the toothpaste gilding with time, but I don't think that this approach would work for the Mystical Moments. On 11/3/2021 at 10:46 AM, katrinka said: If you go with the nail block, get more than one. They do work well, but the grit wears away pretty quickly. Luckily, they're inexpensive. Thank you, I will keep this in mind!
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