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FAQ – Pokémon card cleaning and restoration

Do you want to clean a Pokémon card, restore its holographic shine, or prepare it for grading without taking any risks? Here are the answers to the questions our customers ask us most often.

Find all our products in the Pokémon card repair & restoration collection.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How to restore the shine to a holographic Pokémon card?

In three steps: 1) dust and clean the matte areas (back, borders, frame) with the Restore+ cleaning spray and a microfiber cloth; 2) apply a small amount of Restore+ shine gel to the holo area with a foam applicator, without pressing down; 3) buff with a clean microfiber cloth using light motions until the mirror effect is restored. The complete kit includes everything you need.

Can you clean a Pokémon card without damaging it?

Yes, provided you use products made for this purpose and non-abrasive textiles. Absolutely avoid: water, alcohol, acetone, household cleaners, paper towels, and tissues, which can warp the cardboard, smudge the ink, or scratch the surface. Our Restore+ products are formulated to clean without damaging the ink, the cardboard, or the holographic layer.

Are Restore+ products compatible with PSA, CGC, PCA, or Beckett grading?

Yes. Restore+ products are grading-safe: they leave no film, residue, or detectable trace. They are specifically used to prepare a card before sending it to PSA, CGC, PCA, or Beckett (BGS).

Does cleaning a card improve its grading score?

Cleaning affects only one of the scored criteria: the surface (marks, dust, haze, superficial micro-scratches). A clean, shiny surface avoids losing points unnecessarily. However, it does not change the centering, corners, or edges, nor does it repair creases. See our guide should you clean a card before grading?

Can you remove scratches from a Pokémon card?

Surface micro-scratches can be significantly reduced visually: the shine gel evens out the surface and revives reflections. Deep scratches that have damaged the holographic layer will not disappear. More details in our guide how to remove a micro-scratch without damaging a card.

What is the difference between the cleaning spray and the shine gel?

The spray cleans: it removes fingerprints, dust, and greasy residue, especially on matte areas (back, frame, edges). The gel restores: it is reserved for shiny areas (Holo, Reverse, Full Art) to revive the mirror effect. Use the spray first, then the gel.

How to flatten a bent or warped Pokémon card?

A warped card is straightened with gentle, uniform, and prolonged pressure, never with direct heat or by bending it in the opposite direction. Our flattening kit and its upgraded version are designed for this purpose, prior to grading submission. The complete method is in our guide on how to flatten a curled card.

Which cards are these products compatible with?

All Pokémon cards, modern and vintage (Wizards of the Coast, EX, GX, V, VMAX, VSTAR, Scarlet and Violet), as well as Magic: The Gathering (foils), Yu-Gi-Oh! (shiny areas), One Piece, Dragon Ball Super and Digimon.

Which product should I start with?

For a first restoration, the complete cleaning & shine pack (€59) includes the spray, gel, and accessories. If you only want to revive a tarnished holo, the shine gel alone (€34.90) is sufficient.

How much does it cost to restore a Pokémon card?

Everything depends on the defect. For dirt, fingerprints, or dull holographics, the full pack at €59 allows you to treat up to 50 cards depending on their condition. Major restoration (creases, crushed corners, whitened edges) is done by quote from a restorer, and any retouching may be noted during grading. We compare the two options in Pokémon card restoration: professional or DIY?

Should I go through a restorer?

For cleaning or restoring shine, no: using grading-safe products, you treat the card yourself, without entrusting it to anyone. A professional is mainly justified for a structural defect on a high-value card; in that case, ask them if their intervention will be detectable.

Can I return a product?

Yes: you have 30 days after receipt to request a return, and a 14-day right of withdrawal in the European Union. Email info@districttcg.com. Details in our refund policy.

Didn't find your answer?

Contact us or write to info@districttcg.com: we answer all questions about the care of your cards.

 

To learn more, read our guides:

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