casarachi

I don't see Lexan at any banks I visit. They all use an Acrylic barrier. Lexan scratches more easily and yellows over time. Lexan (chemically the same as Makrolon) is not inert. It is a polycorbonate. Using a backing board of Lexan defeats all archival reasons for using Mylar. Mylar still makes a book look nicer, but that's not the main reason people use it. DG It's been 15 years since LEXAN CLEARS came out. One thing I am certain is they are INERT. I have yet to come across the Makrolon that you are talking about but will look into it. I don't use CLEARS because they look good, though they do look great. I use them because they keep the books in perfect condition. Mine have been stored in CLEARS for 15 years and there is no yellowing and no scratching on them. Lexan by GE is bulletproof I believe in 1/4 inch thickness.

I will be at BOSTON COMIC CON this weekend. I believe Saturday if anyone will be there who wants a sample. I'm not setting up or anything like that, just buying books but will be around.

Hi. First, to check them out, let me send you a sample. If you guys want some at that point, I'll see what I have left in stock and will let you have them at 1998 prices. If I don't have the ones you want in stock, (there are over 40 sizes) then I will look into a re-release. PM me your address. Thanks

CLEARS are made out of pure virgin/untreated LEXAN. Basically, the same stuff they use for bullet proof glass in banks and the same as on an F14 fighter jet. CLEARS are not bullet proof but it's the same stuff. The LEXAN you buy in stores is UV treated, some are scratch resistant meaning they are treated. CLEARS are not treated in any way. They are basically INERT, a sheet of air. CLEARS will not crack. (don't try this at home but I would take a nice comic in a clear with mylar, throw it up in the air and the corners would not blunt when they hit the floor.) This went over well when I did it with a high grade comic like the JUDY OF THE JUNGLE you see in the ads. Again, DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME.

For how long and what are they made out of?

Thanks Jeff, I have to admit when I first created CLEARS I acted a bit prematurely. The reason is, I went to the local comic shop in my town and confided the idea to the owner who I trusted he would not tell anyone about the idea. At least he told me I could trust him that he wouldn't. The next time I went in the store, a couple days later, he informed me that DIAMOND DISTRIBUTORS wanted to talk to me about transparent backing boards! I was confused! WHAT THE F*** are you talking about? He said he called them to see if they had any!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!! So, I did not call them back, I felt that the cat was let out of the bag and I thought.... OMG! There is no time for patent protection! So I did some research and found that by publishing an ad, that describes the product fully, or a series of ads, I would protect the product. Build a "brand name". CLEARS at least would be copyrighted by publishing those ads. This is essentially a "poor mans patent". Even though those ads didn't come cheap! At the time I did not have the funds to go into this all the way. It was something I would have otherwise taken months, possibly years to put together. So... within a day or two from that point, I created the ads and ran them the next few months in the trade magazines. Attended Chicago, SanDiego, NY etc... maxed out all my credit cards! Built a website etc... but I was not in a position to release CLEARS when they came out. It was only to protect the idea for fear others were onto it. But I sold it for a quick buck, it was lot of work to distribute, I didn't have the space for so much plastic, and thought that was the end of it. I didn't even ask my lawyer for that clause. Best darn attorney as far as I'm concerned! You see I was to get 5% of sales with an "honest effort to market and sell" the product. The problem was, no effort, not a single ad was placed in the 5 years allowed before I was to see a royalty. A big problem I knew about was, this product is somewhat cost prohibiting. Most things in your comic shop a dealer can stock for 10-30% retail, whereas CLEARS, if retailed at $2.50 or 3, dealer cost was $1.50 so it wasn't worth it to them unless they sold expensive comics. I think the people who bought me out figured they could buy $1,000,000 worth and get a great deal, and offer them at a better price, but it doesn't work that way with plastics. There is a certain cut off point that you can't get past, no matter how much money you spend. Is it worth it to put up $10,000,000 to save a penny per thousand units? I just wasn't into it that heavily knowing this and is why I got out when I did. It was a great time though! Many of the dealers I met back in those days, when I see them these days, look at me for a minute then remember, "Hey, your the CLEARS guy right?" This made it all worth it.

Oh, back in the day, COMICLINK was one of my best customers (a premier comics venue) when suddenly the slabbing appeared and was told that's where things are heading so I sold out. The only complaints were by the naysayers who didn't buy any. For example... At San Diego, at a very popular companies plastic bags & boards booth, the big time bag dealer said when asked about CLEARS, "I can smell the plastisizers in them, these are dangerous for comics!" Then I asked my chemist about this and he told me "the only time plastisizers are introduced is when two pieces of plastic are heated to form a bond." So the guy who said he could smell the plastisizers from CLEARS was full of it. HIS products were the ones with plastisizers because CLEARS are never heated up to form a bond, where every bag and mylar is. So I went away quietly into the sunset, and thought OK, not a single write up, review in OVERSTREET, CBM or CBG hmmmmm,ok, fine, I'll wait 10 years and see what happens to my precious books stored in CLEARS and when I checked, they were all like the day they were stored. & at least that I know about, not one article has been published telling people they are bad or good for comics or to avoid them. Have you ever seen one? However, I believe the price guide the very next year did drop some of the information about storage. I think I will also mention that at the time, my inspiration to create CLEARS was several reaons 1. selling comics at a comic show and people were rifling through my comics and their fingers were rough on the tops of the books and that's why I went with the 11" option called "EXTENDEDS", (NOT EXTENZ! ) , the extra half inch kept those dirty fingers off the books. 2. I got tired of waiting patiently, asking dealers to remove books at busy conventions so I could see the back cover. It seemed to bother some, and some others appreciate the fact I asked them to remove the book. and 3. The Pedrin Conservatory FORTRESS was the only alternative for me but was a too pricey unless it was a "SUPERBOOK".

I got tired of checking back and it eventually went out of my mind, excuse me. In 250,000+ units I did sell in OVERSTREET , CBG, and CBM, I was never asked to return a single clears. I sold the idea back in 1998 and because it was never marketed according to the fine print my attorney put into the deal, it reverted back to me after 5 years. I just haven't had the time to get back into it and it seems people forgot about them. The fire wasn't lit until this thread when someone indicated it was their idea. I'm only going after the idea here, is it a good one or isn't it. I'm not doing this for sales, though one big comic dealer who contacted me recently told me, "this might be the time for CLEARS". So I went back and checked this thread wondering what comments were left and saw none. I know this answer won't satisfy your negative comment. (still, not a single person who received them has chimed in.) By the way, it was THEIR turn to respond, not mine, which is why I never chimed back in about it until urged by my dealer friend from years ago. (Thanks MIKEY C.!) For those who requested the samples, please give me some time to put them all together, I am not going to go to the post office every day. When the requests dis-appear, then I will make the mailing. Thanks for your patience to those who asked. Eventually, NOT A YEAR , you will get them. (figure about a month at most). Thanks

Hi, this is not about making money, it's about how they work, do you like them, what good and bad things do you have to say about them after trying them out etc etc etc..... just PM me your address and I"ll be happy to send you some samples to check out. This is about posting thoughts and comments and opinions after trying a product. Discussion! In the interest of this great past time. COMIC BOOKS! I just remembered when I got an email from someone asking about them and went searching for this thread to see what people posted and not a one responded in probably 20-30 people I sent them to and it blew me away. I guess everyone who asked was skeptical because I'm sure if they sucked, they would have said so. I was really surprised after releasing them in OVERSTREET and COMIC BOOK MARKETPLACE and the CBG, they didn't do an article on them. But again, one of the big shot/legends in the hobby told me at the San Diego COMIC CON back in 1997 the idea was genius and they didn't know how to slab a book until I came out with CLEARS.

Hey Avenger, you are the one who created the post that I sent out a bunch of samples to those who asked. You obviously didn't ask me for any or you would have gotten them from me. I am not upset at you in the least. Just those who did not continue the topic/discussion in reference to the product we were having the discussion. The ownership of CLEARS, THE ORIGINAL TRASPARENT BACKING BOARDS reverted back to me years ago after those who bought it failed to market it in the time specified. (this was back in the late 1990's) however I just haven't had the time to invest... and I figured for the sake of the naysayers to let my books sit in CLEARS to see the reaction over those years. They look like they did then. No ill effects whatsover in fact it has been "perfect" storage. I had about 30,000 left overs after the sale. These are made from PURE, UN-ALDULTERATED LEXAN. I used to buy massive quantity and get them professionally cut. And sell them at less than the cost you could buy it at but you would also have to cut it up. Cutting up 100 sheets at a time, in one cut is more accurate than trying to cut up a single thin piece. OK Avenger, no, I am not upset at you. Great original post! To those who are new to this thread. They used to cost $3 each for 60 mi(rigid) and $1.50 for the 30mil(flop)(read the previous posts for more info) but yeah, I will re-release if there is considerable interest. I remember I sold over 5000 (60 mil) at the BIG APPLE COMIC CON back in those days. That was a lot to carry for me in my car when I first released. They are 1/4 each for 60 mil and 1/8lb 30 mil.

What I created and what you bought, may look similar but they are not. What I sent people is the real thing, the original. Did you ask me to send you a sample, as posted in this YOUR thread? Did you end up getting any samples from me in the mail for free including free shipping? I spent over $100 just for the mailings and I don't even qualify for a common courtesy response? Geepers creepers. If you didn't ask for them, then obviously you don't apply to the aspect of my posting. But you are right, it's a great idea. Thanks.

Incredible! I sent out all those completely FREE ORIGINAL & HISTORICAL Backing boards to all who simply asked and not one person has the courtesy to post, not even a thank you but they suck.... so that must mean you're all simply blown away cause they're so awesome. I know. It was my idea.

Hey guys/gals, I just got those samples out to ya, sorry for the delay, I was trying to find other sizes to send more of a group, but I did get 3 out to each of you. 2 are 30 mil and 1 60 mil. (the 2 30 mil are I believe GOLD 1 and GOLD 2. (I personally would prefer 60 mil with a golden age comic), however due to weight concerns, many dealers would probably not want 60 mil, unless it were for the most valuable books.. But some will say, they do the trick, resembling more cheap cardboard in rigidness, actually a little better IMO but they look great in comparison. These would be fine for golden age books valued in the $50-300 range. Anything over, I would probably use the 60 mil), The 60 mil sample is unfortunately, the MAGAZINE size CLEAR. This is just what I could find in my "old stock/inventory". I guess i sold out of the "standard/more in demand" sizes. The reason why I am partial to 60 mil is, they keep the spine rock solid. Anything that can potentially bend, is not a good thing for a backing board. But to fight weight and cost concerns, the reasoning is sound using 30 mil. WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE USING 60 MIL IS, THEY DO NOT BEND and TAKE GETTING USED TO. THEY DO NOT "GIVE", so BE VERY CAREFUL INSERTING A BOOK with a 60 MIL. (THERE IS NO "FORGIVENESS" in that your book will not bend(EVEN SLIGHTLY) on 60 mil, and mylar can also be very sharp because it's so thin, so just be careful. Once you get used to it, it's easy. USE 60 MIL WITH CAUTION. Some say the edges can be sharp, but the edges never touch your comic. Your comic should not "go over" the edge. If it does, then it's the wrong size backing. I noted on the old order form which pieces were sent to you. Again, this was old inventory, so the pieces you are testing are about 15 years or older! (so this will tell you how well they held up). NOTE!!!!!!! Even the 30 mil samples have 2 plastic film overlays to protect the lexan.(one on each side, you may not realize this when you first get them) (to be honest, I'm not sure if the 30 mil are in fact lexan they might have been made by DUPONT. I took what my supplier had on hand. They were selling really well and I only created the 30 mil because that's what a lot of people asked for. They are lighter, but not rigid. Note:, on the 30 mil.The film is not color/labeled as is the 60 mil. Make sure you remove the film on both sides of the CLEARS. Again, many thanks for letting me send these out to you and I hope you find them in the least, entertaining and who knows, possibly you might find it as good idea as I when I first came up with it. I hope you have some fun with them.

Holy smokes, my inbox is flooded! Thanks for the offers to pay shipping but that's on me, thanks. I'll get them out asap. Some folks are mentioning what books they would like to use them on. I'll have to see what sizes I have around, and try to send you the right one, but THIS, I can't promise. I think I only have the 30 mil in Gold, Bronze and Diamond age (I call modern age books DIAMOND AGE) I'm not sure what the 60 mils are. I used to have 48 sizes and I know I dont' have all those sizes right now. I only have what I had left over NOS when I sold the idea. I will however send you a 60 and 30 mil full size example so you can get at least an idea of what they are. I am looking forward to the follow-ups! Here is a part of the pamphlet I used to send out with each order. Bonus pics of comics with mylar bag & lexan backing

Ok, I have done some reviews of what I said and would like to explain the plastic costs (mylar bag vs lexan backing board) mil to mil. Mylar was about .01/mil Lexan was roughly .02/mil. Back in 1998, upon inquiring the big manufactures, the cost to make a mylar bag I believe they are 5 mil? Was $.10 in raw materials to manufacture a mylar $0.05 for each part of the two parts that are needed to make a bag.) Cost was roughly $0 .10 for 10 mil total. The retail at the time for a mylar bag was about $1.00. This is around a 10 X mark-up from cost. So, there is room for a middle man. LEXAN sheet in 60 mil cost me $1.16 for each unit. Therefore, using the same markup In a retail setting would have made CLEARS list at around $11.60/unit, Thus, at my 2.50$ list, there wasn't enough profit in it for the stores who were used to the larger price difference between cost and retail. Little or no room for a middle man at this cost/list price ratio. So, MYLAR and LEXAN , raw materials, mil to mil. (lexan 60 mil $1.16 cost, mylar 10 mil total $0.10. (5milx2 or cost of 10mil =$0.10 x 6 = 60 mil would be $0.60. Then you need to add shipping to the distributor, then shipping to the retail outlet. But this may have been the key to my initial success was selling direct, rather than going through the distribution that increases the list price needed to carry the product in a retail setting. At that time, I don't believe folks would have spent $10.00 to get one backing board. $2.50 in quantity was my target retail price I thought people would be willing to pay.Though I am sure some would have paid that higher price, I didn't see the collecting masses catching on to easily. But weight to weight comparison, I believe mylar was about half the cost of lexan. Hope I didn't screw this up! I did release 30 and 40 mil lexan clears at the request of customers but they are not rigid, and "give" a little like the traditional board.