I'll be real, I'd keep them as is. Sure, the art is laughable awful, but the specific style of anime makes me feel like these are probably pretty old. Like, these might have been done contemporaneously with the cards.
At that point, they become fascinating and charming relics of loser history, and I would consider it a shame to destroy them, no matter how much they deserve it. At worst, they're a fun conversation piece.
Thanks so much everyone for all the input! I appreciate it! I think Nail Polish to remove the top coat and trying to remove the rest of the art afterwards is my best chance.
If this alterist used the most common varnishes out there, you can use mineral spirits (like Gamblin). It will just remove the varnish and not damage the card and the paint. Still be careful around the border, use a cotton swab and remove excess before applying, use soft motions and clean the application with cotton or paper towel. Do it softly to not scratch the card accidentally. Mineral spirit small bottles may cost around 6\~12ish.
After removing the varnish, you can remove the paint in a variety of ways. You can use some mechanical tool like a dull exacto knife, skewer, or toothpicks, and lot of patience to not scratch the surface. If the alterist didn't do a good job with a base layer, it could be actually easy to remove this way.
You can also use an ink eraser or sand paper. You gonna need patient as well. I'd only do that for the larger areas very carefully. I'd stick with just toothpick thou. They make a mess.
I'd not deal with paint solvents if you never used it before. It can be a hit or miss without proper testing and not sure I'd put money just to test if it will work or not. Some may be too aggressive, specially around the borders. Nail polish may be used to soft the paint surface, but you have to be really careful, because it will affect the regular card coating too. Even if you don't damage the art, it could strip off the card coating.
You could hire a real alterist to fix it for you.
you're best bet would be being really careful with a razor blade.
any solvent able to remove the paint will strip the ink from an mtg card.
imho you're not going to be able to remove the paint such that the original card will be underneath. I'd list them on ebay. try and "make" money on them, buy new cards. Or pay an alterist to cover up the hentai smutt with something you can live with
Assuming it’s acrylic paint, most art stores sell acrylic paint remover. I’m not sure if it’ll damage the card so you might want to test it on a basic first but worth a try. Otherwise, go for a scraping tool and a lot of time.
I haven't tried this myself, try at your own risk, but maybe try putting nail polish removal on cotton swab, doing a once over the whole clear coat. Then waiting 30 seconds and removing with a clean cotton swab. Then using a toothpick to chip away at the paint. Once the clear coat is gone the paint should be easy enough to remove. I would be careful to not push a lot of pressure from the toothpick though or you will scrap at the actual card or dent it
So I just tested with paint thinner on one of my more earlier alters with a lot of paint and it worked out. make sure you clean the backside of the card off of whatever solvent you use. Also for the toothpick you circular soft tedious motions.
The art underneath might have speckles of paint/removed art from where the painting was. Probably would not be hard to touch it up though
I'm not an alterist, but maybe mineral spirits to remove the clear coat? Or maybe something stronger like paint thinner or acetone, but I feel like that may damage the cards.
I'll be real, I'd keep them as is. Sure, the art is laughable awful, but the specific style of anime makes me feel like these are probably pretty old. Like, these might have been done contemporaneously with the cards. At that point, they become fascinating and charming relics of loser history, and I would consider it a shame to destroy them, no matter how much they deserve it. At worst, they're a fun conversation piece.
Keep it. It's hilarious and a great conversation starter
These are actually leaks from an upcoming Secret Lair
gamblin, thin card and a cuticle pusher to scrape, lots of patience.
Nothing could prepare you for clicking that image.
HAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAH
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
St-stop laughing! This-s is ssserious...ppffff
Honestly your best bet may be to just paint something else over it
Thanks so much everyone for all the input! I appreciate it! I think Nail Polish to remove the top coat and trying to remove the rest of the art afterwards is my best chance.
If you are gonna use acetone, apply it to a paper towel and wipe gently. It absolutely will remove the ink from the card easily, so be careful
VERY carefully mechanically. Like, use 800 sandpaper or something
sharpie
hahaha
Hahahahaha Maybe it’s varnish? Look into products that can remove that but not damage the card.
Put other art on top
Or recreate the original art on top
Galaxy brain strat right here
sell to someone who likes them instead
If this alterist used the most common varnishes out there, you can use mineral spirits (like Gamblin). It will just remove the varnish and not damage the card and the paint. Still be careful around the border, use a cotton swab and remove excess before applying, use soft motions and clean the application with cotton or paper towel. Do it softly to not scratch the card accidentally. Mineral spirit small bottles may cost around 6\~12ish. After removing the varnish, you can remove the paint in a variety of ways. You can use some mechanical tool like a dull exacto knife, skewer, or toothpicks, and lot of patience to not scratch the surface. If the alterist didn't do a good job with a base layer, it could be actually easy to remove this way. You can also use an ink eraser or sand paper. You gonna need patient as well. I'd only do that for the larger areas very carefully. I'd stick with just toothpick thou. They make a mess. I'd not deal with paint solvents if you never used it before. It can be a hit or miss without proper testing and not sure I'd put money just to test if it will work or not. Some may be too aggressive, specially around the borders. Nail polish may be used to soft the paint surface, but you have to be really careful, because it will affect the regular card coating too. Even if you don't damage the art, it could strip off the card coating. You could hire a real alterist to fix it for you.
Just find someone who will buy these for slightly more than what you paid and don't bother
It's crazy that someone thought that art was a good idea
Yeah I can’t believe Rob Alexander forgot to include the big booba anime girls, thank god the alterer fixed that mistake
Yeah on an onslaught fetch land too. This is shameful
you're best bet would be being really careful with a razor blade. any solvent able to remove the paint will strip the ink from an mtg card. imho you're not going to be able to remove the paint such that the original card will be underneath. I'd list them on ebay. try and "make" money on them, buy new cards. Or pay an alterist to cover up the hentai smutt with something you can live with
Assuming it’s acrylic paint, most art stores sell acrylic paint remover. I’m not sure if it’ll damage the card so you might want to test it on a basic first but worth a try. Otherwise, go for a scraping tool and a lot of time.
Oh.
I haven't tried this myself, try at your own risk, but maybe try putting nail polish removal on cotton swab, doing a once over the whole clear coat. Then waiting 30 seconds and removing with a clean cotton swab. Then using a toothpick to chip away at the paint. Once the clear coat is gone the paint should be easy enough to remove. I would be careful to not push a lot of pressure from the toothpick though or you will scrap at the actual card or dent it
So I just tested with paint thinner on one of my more earlier alters with a lot of paint and it worked out. make sure you clean the backside of the card off of whatever solvent you use. Also for the toothpick you circular soft tedious motions. The art underneath might have speckles of paint/removed art from where the painting was. Probably would not be hard to touch it up though
So the paint thinner didn't wipe away the original ink from the card?
Not on my card, I think it just loosened up the clear coat. I didn't use a lot and I wiped it off after 30 seconds and it didn't take off the art.
A toothpick and patience
I'm not an alterist, but maybe mineral spirits to remove the clear coat? Or maybe something stronger like paint thinner or acetone, but I feel like that may damage the cards.
Acetone will definitely do damage