crayon on photographs - removal ideas please

[chocccie]

Does anybody have a bright idea for getting crayon off an old photo?

I wanted to frame my grandmother's wedding photo, but one of us little angels had a fine old time with a purple crayon!

Does anybody know how I can get it off (or at least the worst of it)?  I could try alcohol, but I suspect that will spoil the print.

 

Thanks folks

[clarey c]

Is there a chance that you could scan it in and photoshop the crayon out?

I don't know how bad it is so excuse me if this is a stupid statement [:$]- good luck with it though.

[Clair]

In my days working in a photo lab, we used to use lighter fuel on a cotton bud.

Try it first in the most inconspicuous section of the picture.

Health and Safety obvious mention: No naked flame nearby ...[Www]

[Albert the InfoGipsy]

Whatever you do, start by scanning or otherwise making the best copy you can.

Alcohol shouldn't harm it if it's a normal gelatine emulsion. When I were a lad the recognised way of getting negs & prints dry in a hurry was to soak then in meths and wave them around your head. We even used that technique during our college final practicals.

I'd guess that there will be a white border around the edge of the print so that gives you somewhere to experiment. I have a feeling that for crayon you'd be better off with white spirit, or even some VERY CAREFULLY APPLIED petrol -- for petrol do it in the open air.

Another approach you could try to get the worst off would be a very sharp blade held almost flat and used as a scraper. Only try this if the print is flat & smooth -- many old prints are cracked. If it's a glossy print this should take most of the surface crayon off but if it had a matt or velvet finish -- popular in those days -- then it probaly wont be a lot of help.

[chocccie]

Thanks for all the ideas folks.  the bulk of the crayon was scraped off years ago, so it's just residue left.  I'll carefully try out some of your ideas and cross me fingers!

Cheers