Difference between revisions of "Clean an Eraser"
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#*You can find specialty eraser cases at your local art supply store or through an online retailer. You should especially consider a specialty case if you are an artist and use expensive, high quality erasers for your art. | #*You can find specialty eraser cases at your local art supply store or through an online retailer. You should especially consider a specialty case if you are an artist and use expensive, high quality erasers for your art. | ||
#*You might store your erasers in a tupperware container, or some other kind of clean, plastic container. This will limit its exposure to harmful elements, like air, dust, and moisture. | #*You might store your erasers in a tupperware container, or some other kind of clean, plastic container. This will limit its exposure to harmful elements, like air, dust, and moisture. | ||
| − | #*Keep your erasers separate from your pencils, crayons, and pens. These items can carry dust and grime, or in some cases can create dust and grime, that can hurt your erasers performance. Keep a separate container for your erasers to prevent this.<ref>http://pencils.com/erasers-dont-work/</ref><ref>http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2014/10/why-do-erasers-suck-at-erasing/381025/</ref> | + | #*Keep your erasers separate from your pencils, crayons, and pens. These items can carry dust and grime, or in some cases can create dust and grime, that can hurt your erasers performance. Keep a separate container for your erasers to prevent this.<ref name="rf1">http://pencils.com/erasers-dont-work/</ref><ref name="rf2">http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2014/10/why-do-erasers-suck-at-erasing/381025/</ref> |
#Repeat this process regularly as build-up occurs. If you are an artist and use your eraser frequently, you may need to purge your eraser of blemishes fairly regularly. But even occasional pencil/eraser users may have to repeat this process several times over the life of the eraser. | #Repeat this process regularly as build-up occurs. If you are an artist and use your eraser frequently, you may need to purge your eraser of blemishes fairly regularly. But even occasional pencil/eraser users may have to repeat this process several times over the life of the eraser. | ||
#*By purging your eraser of graphite gunk, you will save yourself money and maintain the immaculate quality of your work. If you have a low quality eraser or a soft lead pencil that accumulates gunk quickly, you may want to carry a folded up sheet of clean paper in your eraser case to use on the fly. | #*By purging your eraser of graphite gunk, you will save yourself money and maintain the immaculate quality of your work. If you have a low quality eraser or a soft lead pencil that accumulates gunk quickly, you may want to carry a folded up sheet of clean paper in your eraser case to use on the fly. | ||
===Using Sandpaper=== | ===Using Sandpaper=== | ||
#Purchase sandpaper for your eraser purifying. Sandpaper is a somewhat more direct way of purifying blemishes off your eraser. Sandpaper should be available at your local hardware store, or you might be able to find some in the automotive section or home and garden section of your local general retailer. Craft stores might also be a good place to look. | #Purchase sandpaper for your eraser purifying. Sandpaper is a somewhat more direct way of purifying blemishes off your eraser. Sandpaper should be available at your local hardware store, or you might be able to find some in the automotive section or home and garden section of your local general retailer. Craft stores might also be a good place to look. | ||
| − | #*You’ll want to choose a finer grit sandpaper for your eraser purifying purposes. Grit ratings range from extra coarse (36 grit) to extra fine (320 grit). Too coarse a grit should be avoided, as it will remove more eraser than is necessary and shorten the life of your eraser.<ref>http://www.lowes.com/projects/woodworking-and-crafts/sandpaper-buying-guide/project</ref> | + | #*You’ll want to choose a finer grit sandpaper for your eraser purifying purposes. Grit ratings range from extra coarse (36 grit) to extra fine (320 grit). Too coarse a grit should be avoided, as it will remove more eraser than is necessary and shorten the life of your eraser.<ref name="rf3">http://www.lowes.com/projects/woodworking-and-crafts/sandpaper-buying-guide/project</ref> |
#*In a pinch, you might be able to use an emery board or nail file in place of sandpaper. However, gunk can get caught in the ridges of your board/file and may be difficult to remove. | #*In a pinch, you might be able to use an emery board or nail file in place of sandpaper. However, gunk can get caught in the ridges of your board/file and may be difficult to remove. | ||
#Rub the afflicted areas of your eraser with the sandpaper. Look closely at your eraser and find the spots where gunk build-up, smear, and residue have accumulated. These will look like dark spots or smudges. These are the areas you’ll want to focus rubbing your sandpaper against. You should rub the blemishes on your eraser with light to moderate-light strokes; you won’t need to use much force to cause the shavings to come free. | #Rub the afflicted areas of your eraser with the sandpaper. Look closely at your eraser and find the spots where gunk build-up, smear, and residue have accumulated. These will look like dark spots or smudges. These are the areas you’ll want to focus rubbing your sandpaper against. You should rub the blemishes on your eraser with light to moderate-light strokes; you won’t need to use much force to cause the shavings to come free. | ||
#*You may be able to more precisely apply your sandpaper by bending it around a finger (or several fingers) and using the rounded edge to rub off the blemishes. You also might have success with using a corner or edge of your sandpaper to rub the blemishes free. | #*You may be able to more precisely apply your sandpaper by bending it around a finger (or several fingers) and using the rounded edge to rub off the blemishes. You also might have success with using a corner or edge of your sandpaper to rub the blemishes free. | ||
#*As you rub your eraser with sandpaper, shavings will come free, removing the blemishes along with them. Keep an eye on your sandpaper as you purify your eraser. If gunk begins to buildup on the surface of the paper, you should switch to a new section of the paper. | #*As you rub your eraser with sandpaper, shavings will come free, removing the blemishes along with them. Keep an eye on your sandpaper as you purify your eraser. If gunk begins to buildup on the surface of the paper, you should switch to a new section of the paper. | ||
| − | #*You may want to apply your sandpaper to your eraser over a garbage can. The grittiness of the paper will cause shavings to come free easily. Be careful not to remove more than is necessary. As soon as the gunk appears gone, your eraser should be clean.<ref>http://bookrepairsupply.com/refresh-eraser-sandpaper/</ref> | + | #*You may want to apply your sandpaper to your eraser over a garbage can. The grittiness of the paper will cause shavings to come free easily. Be careful not to remove more than is necessary. As soon as the gunk appears gone, your eraser should be clean.<ref name="rf4">http://bookrepairsupply.com/refresh-eraser-sandpaper/</ref> |
#Store your eraser properly to prevent re-gunking. Specially designed pencil cases will prevent your eraser from becoming hard and unusable. But even a run-of-the-mill eraser case can keep your eraser from accumulating dust, dirt, and grime. | #Store your eraser properly to prevent re-gunking. Specially designed pencil cases will prevent your eraser from becoming hard and unusable. But even a run-of-the-mill eraser case can keep your eraser from accumulating dust, dirt, and grime. | ||
#*Specialty eraser cases can be bought at your local art store. Normal cases can usually be found in the stationary/office supply section of your local general retailer, or even at office supply stores. | #*Specialty eraser cases can be bought at your local art store. Normal cases can usually be found in the stationary/office supply section of your local general retailer, or even at office supply stores. | ||
| − | #*You can keep a small square or several small squares of sandpaper in your eraser case to remove blemishes from your eraser as they arise. Simply take some scissors and cut your sandpaper down to a size that will fit in the case. <ref | + | #*You can keep a small square or several small squares of sandpaper in your eraser case to remove blemishes from your eraser as they arise. Simply take some scissors and cut your sandpaper down to a size that will fit in the case. <ref name="rf1" /><ref name="rf2" /> |
#Repeat your eraser cleaning as necessary. When using sandpaper, you should be careful not to wear away too much of the eraser while removing blemishes. Sandpaper will wear away at your eraser much more quickly than normal paper. Rubbing too hard can drastically shorten the life of your eraser. | #Repeat your eraser cleaning as necessary. When using sandpaper, you should be careful not to wear away too much of the eraser while removing blemishes. Sandpaper will wear away at your eraser much more quickly than normal paper. Rubbing too hard can drastically shorten the life of your eraser. | ||
#*Using a light hand to remove blemishes with your sandpaper will allow you to get the cleanest and most consistent use from your eraser. Removing blemishes will also extend the usability of your eraser, helping you to get the most out of it. | #*Using a light hand to remove blemishes with your sandpaper will allow you to get the cleanest and most consistent use from your eraser. Removing blemishes will also extend the usability of your eraser, helping you to get the most out of it. | ||
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#*Rubber erasers can come in many sizes, shapes, and colors. The most common of these is the classic pink eraser that you are likely familiar with seeing at the end of your pencil. These work decently for graphite pencils. | #*Rubber erasers can come in many sizes, shapes, and colors. The most common of these is the classic pink eraser that you are likely familiar with seeing at the end of your pencil. These work decently for graphite pencils. | ||
#*Gum erasers are softer than normal rubber erasers. These have a tendency to crumble when used, but this is completely natural for this kind of eraser. Gum erasers are often brown or semi-transparent in color. These are ideal for graphite pencils. | #*Gum erasers are softer than normal rubber erasers. These have a tendency to crumble when used, but this is completely natural for this kind of eraser. Gum erasers are often brown or semi-transparent in color. These are ideal for graphite pencils. | ||
| − | #*Vinyl erasers are sometimes called plastic erasers. This kind is ultra-tough and can tear through paper rather easily. You can expect this kind of eraser to remove most markings from paper – including ink. They are most often white and erase very cleanly.<ref>http://www.madehow.com/Volume-5/Eraser.html</ref><ref>https://keetonsonline.wordpress.com/2013/11/14/5-types-of-erasers-every-artist-should-know-about/</ref> | + | #*Vinyl erasers are sometimes called plastic erasers. This kind is ultra-tough and can tear through paper rather easily. You can expect this kind of eraser to remove most markings from paper – including ink. They are most often white and erase very cleanly.<ref name="rf5">http://www.madehow.com/Volume-5/Eraser.html</ref><ref name="rf6">https://keetonsonline.wordpress.com/2013/11/14/5-types-of-erasers-every-artist-should-know-about/</ref> |
#Check the hardness of your eraser. Some erasers, like those designed to remove pen or soft lead from paper, will naturally be harder than gum erasers or other soft types. However, over time, your eraser can lose elasticity and become so hard that it simply will no longer erase. Press the nail of your finger into the eraser. If it resists you firmly, it may be time to get a new eraser. | #Check the hardness of your eraser. Some erasers, like those designed to remove pen or soft lead from paper, will naturally be harder than gum erasers or other soft types. However, over time, your eraser can lose elasticity and become so hard that it simply will no longer erase. Press the nail of your finger into the eraser. If it resists you firmly, it may be time to get a new eraser. | ||
#*To further test your eraser’s ability to do its job, you can take a piece of normal paper and write a short message or doodle in pencil. Then use a clean looking patch of your eraser to attempt and erase the writing. If it smears or does a poor job, your eraser might be at the end of its life. | #*To further test your eraser’s ability to do its job, you can take a piece of normal paper and write a short message or doodle in pencil. Then use a clean looking patch of your eraser to attempt and erase the writing. If it smears or does a poor job, your eraser might be at the end of its life. | ||
#*Before decided your eraser has outlived its usefulness, you may want to use some medium-fine grit (180 grit should suffice) sandpaper to take off the outer skin. Sometimes the inner parts of the eraser will keep potency even after the outside of the eraser has hardened. | #*Before decided your eraser has outlived its usefulness, you may want to use some medium-fine grit (180 grit should suffice) sandpaper to take off the outer skin. Sometimes the inner parts of the eraser will keep potency even after the outside of the eraser has hardened. | ||
| − | #Throw out cheap rubber erasers. Some erasers are made with cheap rubber or are poorly formulated for erasing. It might seem strange, but the composition of specialty and high quality erasers is a closely guarded trade secret by many companies. If you ever come across an eraser that just doesn’t seem to cut it, save yourself some time and frustration by tossing the cheap one away and finding one that will do the job you need.<ref | + | #Throw out cheap rubber erasers. Some erasers are made with cheap rubber or are poorly formulated for erasing. It might seem strange, but the composition of specialty and high quality erasers is a closely guarded trade secret by many companies. If you ever come across an eraser that just doesn’t seem to cut it, save yourself some time and frustration by tossing the cheap one away and finding one that will do the job you need.<ref name="rf2" /> |
== Tips == | == Tips == | ||
