Any tips for de-stickying the surface of plastic-laminated cards?

[Chariot]

I've got a deck I like, but can't use—the White & Saunders Tarot—because the cards cling together when I try to shuffle them.  The plastic coating acts too much like cling film.  Is there anything I could 'dust' them with that might release them for shuffling?  Anybody else experience this issue?  

[DanielJUK]

I have seen tarot folk talking in the past about magic powder! It's literally like a white talc for magicians, they use it for card tricks. Sometimes it's called fanning powder. You can find it in magicians shops or online sites. Maybe places like amazon has it. You can either put it on your hands and shuffle between the cards or put the cards in a plastic sealable bag and shake it with some powder in. I would worry it covers the card art but probably there are ways of doing it. But that stops the sticking!

 

I also have a deck where it all sticks together 🤦‍♂️

[SlightlyMagic]

Had a similar issue with my Hadar TdM but found just handling and a few goes at laying out all the cards by taking the top card and gently scraping it off the top off the deck the stickiness quickly reduced. As they improved a few decent shuffles got rid of the stickiness even more.  I did have them all laid out on my desk for a week or so for an unrelated reason, whether this helped in any way I'm unsure but regardless they're behaving now and shuffle perfectly, fanning is still a tad tricky but improving as I handle them more. When I first received them I figured they'd remain in their box due to the clumping, feel like a different deck now.  Magic powder does sound more fun though 😄

[Agnes]

I have been reading about magician’s fanning powder. I’d like to know whether it affects the cards in other ways besides just making them shuffle better— is it harmful to them? And what’s it made of — is it harmful to breath? It does sound promising, though. 
 

Amazon carries several different brands. 

[MuninnMissinHuginn]

Here is a thread that has a discussion about the magician’s powder. Talc vs. Zinc vs Teflon…..

 

https://www.themagiciansforum.com/post/fanning-powder-vs-talc-powder-10345264

[gregory]

Zinc stearate. It's never scratched my cards - but I disclaim any responsibility if it does yours.   I use the throw it all in a paper bag and shake vigorously school.

[Chariot]

Thanks for the replies.  I've looked up magician's powder on Amazon, and am swithering about whether to buy it or not. The reviews seem genuine, but they are very very mixed.  Some of them say the stuff can actually ruin the cards.  Others say it works a short time, but not permanently.  I looked up zinc stearate, but wasn't able to find any ...unless it has another name?

[gregory]

Magician's fanning powder is primarily made of zinc stearate. Various manufacturers add different extras, but...

 

Fanning powder has never hurt my cards, but maybe there are brands that are less good than others ? I bought mine online from a magician's shop in London; I can't recall where - but at the time everywhere "normal" was out of stock and I grabbed what I could find, Depending on why your cards are being sticky, it might sort it for ever; if not - well, use it again ?

 

Or there's this stuff that someone on that discussion link suggested.:

https://www.howardpianoindustries.com/micro-fine-ptfe-powder/

 

You can get it on UK amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Micro-fine-PTFE-Powder-Lubricant-Piano/dp/B089T5WKFZ I know NOTHING about it.

Edited August 18, 2022 by gregory

[Chariot]

On 8/18/2022 at 3:32 PM, gregory said:

Magician's fanning powder is primarily made of zinc stearate. Various manufacturers add different extras, but...

 

Fanning powder has never hurt my cards, but maybe there are brands that are less good than others ? I bought mine online from a magician's shop in London; I can't recall where - but at the time everywhere "normal" was out of stock and I grabbed what I could find, Depending on why your cards are being sticky, it might sort it for ever; if not - well, use it again ?

 

Or there's this stuff that someone on that discussion link suggested.:

https://www.howardpianoindustries.com/micro-fine-ptfe-powder/

 

You can get it on UK amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Micro-fine-PTFE-Powder-Lubricant-Piano/dp/B089T5WKFZ I know NOTHING about it.

Thanks for those suggestions.  I've put a small container of the stuff in my basket on the UK Amazon site.  Still researching it (PTFE powder.)  The only thing that worries me a bit is that one of the sites recommends using gloves to apply it.  They claim it's non-toxic, but yet recommend the use of gloves when touching it?  Hmmm.  Not sure this would be appropriate to a set of tarot cards.  Still thinking, but thanks!  I'm looking into getting some zinc stearate as well, which sounds as if it might be the better choice.

[gregory]

I absolutely do not believe Teflon is non-toxic. But the big issues with it ended in 2013,when they were required to remove PFOA from non-stick pans. I have no idea whether t is still in the powder,.

 

That said, bleach is also toxic, but I still use it (and actually I don't wear gloves for that.) I wouldn't want to breathe in any kind of powder though. And teflon doesn't break down; once the  particles are in your lungs, they stay there. I'd be more concerned to wear a mask...

 

Decide for yourself:

http://forum.pianoworld.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/1873700/1.html