1999 Topps Finest....To Peel or Not?

[PumpnDumpling]

Hey Everybody!

I just pulled a Barry Bonds Gems Die Cut Gold Refractor /100 with a slightly damaged peel. Should i peel it? The card below looks Mint but wanted some input as once its done, you can't undo it

Right now i'm thinking the peel and hold to grade at some point option is the correct choice......

I also pulled a Derek Jeter Peel & Reveal Mystery in the same pack....thing is i am having a hard time figuring out exactly what i have as i have not seen another peel & reveal that is opaque on both sides...does this indicate anything or has literally everyone else removed one or both sides? Is there a Hyperplaid or a... Stadium Stars parallel in there? Should i peel it?

[Myerburg311]

i wouldnt peel the jeter.. I've had the card back come off with the peel and remove the pattern that should be on the card

[jduds]

I won't buy unpeeled cards as the coating often damages the card through residue or more importantly transferring the words from the coating onto the card. Problem is there is no way of knowing if your cards have already been damaged by the coatings without peeling. Others only buy unpeeled so if your goal is just selling I'd probably leave it.

[HOFAutoRookies]

Don't peel. Value is largely in it not being peeled. Look at 90's Jordan's, big premium not peeled.

[caster513]

Congrats on the pull, beautiful card/set. As a 90's collector I always leave the peel on these cards. I guess it feels more complete to have the card the way it was pulled from the pack.

[Skipscards]

Schrödinger's cat.

[PumpnDumpling]

Originally Posted by Myerburg311

i wouldnt peel the jeter.. I've had the card back come off with the peel and remove the pattern that should be on the card

Thank you for the input! I pulled a Kerry Wood Reveal & Peel from the same box and figured it would make a good sacrificial lamb, and just like you said; lifting the film peeled the entire background off, was basically glued to the card - will def leave the Jeter as it is

[MoreToppsPlease]

Originally Posted by HOFAutoRookies

Don't peel. Value is largely in it not being peeled. Look at 90's Jordan's, big premium not peeled.

This. Always this.

Card is incomplete without the peel.

[PumpnDumpling]

Originally Posted by jduds

I won't buy unpeeled cards as the coating often damages the card through residue or more importantly transferring the words from the coating onto the card. Problem is there is no way of knowing if your cards have already been damaged by the coatings without peeling. Others only buy unpeeled so if your goal is just selling I'd probably leave it.

If the peel wasn't partially lifted at the bottom it wouldn't have been a question for me (would have left it as is), but i absolutely understand where you are coming from and very much appreciate your insight

I have some base gems, and a refractor or two from this box that i could see how the cards react when the peel is lifted....

OK just lifted the film on a half-refractor half chrome type card and while the film left some adhesive on the surface i was able to somewhat easily remove it with a microfiber and no damage was done in the process, no ink was left or lifted when the peel was removed

[SupermanBrandon]

Peeling truly feels like altering it, imo. Its not as it was created to be peeled, but there's something about having it the way it was pulled...that's really cool for me and I think most of the hobby.

[PumpnDumpling]

Originally Posted by HOFAutoRookies

Don't peel. Value is largely in it not being peeled. Look at 90's Jordan's, big premium not peeled.

If the peel wasn't partially lifted at the bottom and card didn't look so darn good...but yes, i am getting the sense even slightly lifted the peel may be best left intact

I did experiment around a little with other cards from the box and i am fairly certain i could very carefully remove it without doing any damage, but will hold off for now....will prbly just put it in my to grade pile even if i don't plan on grading anytime soon lol

Thank you for your input Good Sir

[PumpnDumpling]

Originally Posted by caster513

Congrats on the pull, beautiful card/set. As a 90's collector I always leave the peel on these cards. I guess it feels more complete to have the card the way it was pulled from the pack.

Thank you! Yes, i was honestly stunned when i pulled this just seven packs in to the box...that has just been sitting in my closet clecting dust

I was gonna go for the 97' Finest Series 1 box i have but had previously noticed a tear in this box's seal, so figured it was a choice better rip

I am absolutely leaning towards keeping the Bonds unpeeled, will put it away to nary see the light of day - Thank you for the input!

[Myerburg311]

I've always been on team don't peel but I've peeled some 1999 finest golds and 96 certified mirrors because they were already half way off and these are so much prettier with the peel off it's crazy..
that being said.. Always leave the peel unless it's literally already lifter in some fasion

[evileddie]

I prefer to buy unpeeled, but I peel them once I get them in hand. I have a method that works really good to pull off the peel without damaging the card. The only only cards I own that I haven't peeled are a few graded ones and then a couple Jordan refractors I can't bring myself to peel.

[PumpnDumpling]

Originally Posted by SupermanBrandon

Peeling truly feels like altering it, imo. Its not as it was created to be peeled, but there's something about having it the way it was pulled...that's really cool for me and I think most of the hobby.

I don't feel that peeling is altering, but i am generally on team "do not peel" if i plan to sell down the line as it is apparent folks want their nineties finest cards unpeeled

If the peel wasn't lifted at the bottom, and the gold refractor finish wasn't so damn good looking beneath said peel... still gonna leave it for now though

[PumpnDumpling]

Originally Posted by Myerburg311

I've always been on team don't peel but I've peeled some 1999 finest golds and 96 certified mirrors because they were already half way off and these are so much prettier with the peel off it's crazy..
that being said.. Always leave the peel unless it's literally already lifter in some fasion

Do you see where the peel is lifted towards the bottom center of the bonds card in question?

What would you do here, is this lifted enough for you to go for it?

[PumpnDumpling]

Originally Posted by evileddie

I prefer to buy unpeeled, but I peel them once I get them in hand. I have a method that works really good to pull off the peel without damaging the card. The only only cards I own that I haven't peeled are a few graded ones and then a couple Jordan refractors I can't bring myself to peel.

Please do tell, if you'd rather please DM me

Was able to remove the peel from a split screen with no damage, just had to aggressively wax-on-wax-off with a clean microfiber to remove the adhesive left from peel

[evileddie]

Originally Posted by PumpnDumpling

Please do tell, if you'd rather please DM me

Was able to remove the peel from a split screen with no damage, just had to aggressively wax-on-wax-off with a clean microfiber to remove the adhesive left from peel

I'll post a couple pictures when I get off work today. You will need Gorilla tape.

[LCM1223]

Never peel. Never ever

[evileddie]

Here is what I do to peel them.

Cut a piece of Gorilla Tape and place it on the peel like so. Press it firmly on the peel. This probably goes without saying , but make sure not to use your fingernails when pressing the tape down otherwise you are gonna ruin the card.



Make sure you leave yourself an edge to grab the tape.



Start peeling, go slow



Finished product.

[LCM1223]

Originally Posted by evileddie

Here is what I do to peel them.

All that meticulous work and then…..fingerprint on the card I kid, I kid

[PumpnDumpling]

Originally Posted by evileddie

Here is what I do to peel them.

Cut a piece of Gorilla Tape and place it on the peel like so. Press it firmly on the peel. This probably goes without saying , but make sure not to use your fingernails when pressing the tape down otherwise you are gonna ruin the card.



Make sure you leave yourself an edge to grab the tape.



Start peeling, go slow



Finished product.

Beautifully done Good Sir! These really do look sooo much better peeled

Do you always start at one corner and slowly work your way to the opposite corner?

Asking as the lift in the peel is at the bottom and fairly centered on the Bonds Gems Gold Ref

Has this ever lifted or left ink when employing this method?

[Tom Oates]

About ten years ago, I went through every binder in my PC and peeled every single card I had that had this film on it. To me it's just an extension to the wrapper. The cards look better without the film and the peeling instructions running through the image. One man's opinion...

[evileddie]

Originally Posted by PumpnDumpling

Beautifully done Good Sir! These really do look sooo much better peeled

Do you always start at one corner and slowly work your way to the opposite corner?

Asking as the lift in the peel is at the bottom and fairly centered on the Bonds Gems Gold Ref

Has this ever lifted or left ink when employing this method?

I always start on a corner. Occasionally, the peel won't come off so I just start fresh on another corner. I have never experienced any lifting or ink transfer from the peel when doing this and I have probably done close to 100 cards now. Just go slow and be gentle.

[espnfanco]

Does anyone know what the difference is between Hyperplaid and Stadium Stars on the Peel and Reveal insert set?