I found the build sheet for my 71 years ago on top of the gas tank. Only problem is that the sheet is very dark. The light area is because it was under the gas tank brace. Is there any way to lighten it up without damging it? I could have sworn I read someplace to soak it in turpentine and it will lighten up. Any truth to this?
You could always scan it at a high resolution, and then lighten it with Imaging or Photoshop. I tried it the image you posted, and I think it would work using a higher resolution. I don't know about the turpentine thing. I'd be real careful how you mess with that original build sheet as it's not replaceable unless you find another one in the car.
Hi Jason,Something I have done with my original build sheets is go to office max and have them make a few actual size color copies of my build sheet.I then have one to keep in the car,house,safe deposit box,ect.Be sure to do the same before you try anything with your original.
One word... Duane :Smarty: Contact him, he has seen more build sheets than anyone alive today. :laugh:
Some sort of forensic imaging? It will not clean it up for display purposes, but if you are just trying to read the build sheet, some sort of lab/spy shop should be able to use a process to get a readable copy of the ink on the paper. Provided mold has not eaten the paper, the ink should still be there, and if you could only see the "ink" and not the black stuff, you would have a readable copy. Might I recommend putting the paper on a source of infrared light, and then getting a picture taken with an infrared camera/camcorder?
Jason, My advice is to leave it alone. If you do something to it, it might not get damaged now, but may fall apart later. When people have discolored buildsheets like this and want it decoded, I generally tell them to make the best copies they can, then leave one copy alone, and ink-in the codes on the other copy. Then I can decode them. I don't know what you want to do with your buildsheet, but it appears to me that all the info is legible, and that is the important thing. Duane
I hoped it would have been in better condition when I found it. I guess I should just be glad it was still there in the first place. There was just a fragment of one under the back seat. I think I will make some color copies at Kinko's. I'll put this back in the desk drawer next to whats left of a 72 Mach 1. :Brow: It is legible for the most part. It sure is a nice piece of history.
I like Racerx88's suggestion that you scan it and then use Photoshop to play with the image. Strongly suggest that you do not mess with bleaching or otherwise experimenting with the original. If you don't have a scanner, Kinko's can surely give you a good digital scan on a CD to work with.
Definitely scan it. A scan will probably give you a slightly better image to start with. Then you can play with brightness/contrast and other things. Of course, keep the original safe and untouched.
Jason, I have had this same problem a few times in the past also. These guys are all right, make some copies and find a nice clean dry,safe place to store the original. I was going to try to place a build sheet between two pieces of clean white paper and apply some weight and time with hopes that some of the dark oily areas would transfer to the white sheets and lighten the build sheet. P.S. Also if anyone ever decides to frame a build sheet make sure to use acid free quality paper and backing for longivity. Bill
