Foil cards: curvature

[Volt]

I recently acquired 2 FNM foil Swords to Plowshares. They're basically in perfect condition, except they both have moderate curvature. Is there anything that can be done about it? Without damaging them, of course.

In the past, I've tried putting curved foils between books for months at a time. That doesn't seem to do a damn thing.

[Zach Tartell]

KMC Perfect fit sleeves + big ol' heavy book. Combine, let rest for several weeks to taste.

[Bryant Cook]

Di told me this technique. Put 4 coins on each corner then something heavy in the center.

[Di]

Di told me this technique. Put 4 coins on each corner then something heavy in the center.

Truth. I tried doing this after Zach's mentioned method failed on me horribly, and it works really well. But to clarify, you put them under each corner of the card, not on them. It offsets the curve and perfectly straightens the card out. I've been doing it for about a year now after I realized some of my foils were getting so warped that they were almost unplayable.

Also, it doesn't necessarily have to be coins, but they're small enough to work well (I personally use nickels as they're still thick). Just make sure the thing you place in the center is heavy enough to make an impact, but not too big. I usually use DVD seasons and stuff of the like.

[Volt]

Brilliant! I shall try this. Thanks, guys.

[cdr]

If the foils get warped from humidity, as far as I know you're out of luck. You can straighten them out temporarily but they'll always curl back eventually.

Getting warped from play might be more reversable.

[Solaran_X]

I recently acquired 2 FNM foil Swords to Plowshares. They're basically in perfect condition, except they both have moderate curvature. Is there anything that can be done about it? Without damaging them, of course.

In the past, I've tried putting curved foils between books for months at a time. That doesn't seem to do a damn thing.
I play my RGb Aggro-Loam in top loaders in non-sanctioned tournaments. Seriously.

Anyways...here's an idea. Find a case of some sort that seals well (such as a fire safe). Place your foils, unsleeved, in there that are curving with a healthy amount of desiccant (the moisture absorber you find in little packages that come with shoes and such). This should act to absorb the moisture in the air and, hopefully, the cards...which will flatten them out. The curvature is a result of humidity, which is (oddly enough) why foils seem to bend more during the summer and flatten in the winter.

[pi4meterftw]

Just reparameterize space-time and you'll be good. Or (Probably relatedly) stand near large masses. I'd suggest moving near the speed of light too, but if the cards are curved when you're in their rest frame (or you're in their rest frame) I can't imagine a direction in which you could move (or have the cards move relative to you) to cause them to be uncurved.

My foils get curved too, but I've never seen them get warped in my frame to the degree that they could no longer be played.

[Volt]

Just reparameterize space-time and you'll be good. Or (Probably relatedly) stand near large masses. I'd suggest moving near the speed of light too, but if the cards are curved when you're in their rest frame (or you're in their rest frame) I can't imagine a direction in which you could move (or have the cards move relative to you) to cause them to be uncurved.

I considered that. Problem is that by the time I got back, everybody I know would be dead and I wouldn't have anyone to play Magic with anymore.

[AngryTroll]

Wait, but then your Not-Loss Streak would become a positive integer number of days (as opposed to zero, negative, and imaginary numbers of days)!

[JeroenC]

I play my RGb Aggro-Loam in top loaders in non-sanctioned tournaments. Seriously.

Anyways...here's an idea. Find a case of some sort that seals well (such as a fire safe). Place your foils, unsleeved, in there that are curving with a healthy amount of desiccant (the moisture absorber you find in little packages that come with shoes and such). This should act to absorb the moisture in the air and, hopefully, the cards...which will flatten them out. The curvature is a result of humidity, which is (oddly enough) why foils seem to bend more during the summer and flatten in the winter.

What? Both of these are jokes, right?

[Solaran_X]

What? Both of these are jokes, right?
Actually...no.

I DO play my Aggro-Loam in top loaders in non-sanctioned events to mess with people. And, surprisingly, I'm good at shuffling it (probably because of all the shuffling I've had to do because of fetch lands).

And I've used desiccant before to flatten curved foils because it is a moisture absorber. Doesn't always work, but it has worked more often than not for me.

And I'll have someone take pictures next time I play Loam and I'll post them here.

[Volt]

So, I tried Di's technique. After 24 hours, I checked the cards. While the curling wasn't completely gone, the cards were noticeably flatter and remained so several hours later. Maybe another 24 hour treatment will finish the job. Thanks for the tip!

[Di]

Yeah, I forgot to mention that method is a bit time consuming. I usually would leave them like that for 2-3 days before I planned on using them. It's slow because there isn't much pressure going on them, but after a while they stay like that.

[Wrath_Of_Houlding]

Does anyone have experience with the new foil style (i.e. the one from DvD etc.)? Do they curve or is the process used to shiny them up different enough to preclude it?

[SuperBean]

I'm not sure how long your cards were in contact with the humidity.. But, when I vacation in Florida a few times a year I notice the humidity taking the same effect on my cards, and I've solved the problem every time by just using the cards normally and shuffling them quite a bit.