PSA clarifies potential card cleaning service: 'No juice, no wax'

PSA asked collectors how likely they would be willing to pay for specific add-ons to their submissions. (Credit: PSA)
PSA president Ryan Hoge clarified the company's position on card cleaning Thursday hours after a survey attempted to gauge customer interest in the service.
In a survey sent to customers Wednesday night, PSA presented a number of potential add-ons that might resonate with collectors when purchasing card grading services.
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Among the add-ons were the addition of grader notes for an extra $7.99, PSA-branded card sleeves for $1.99 and premium image scans for $4.99.
Card cleaning for an additional $1.99 per card was the most notable add-on, however, with customers questioning if PSA had adjusted its stance on the practice.
'Seeing plenty of buzz about a recent PSA survey sent to customers!' Hoge wrote on X. 'To be clear, we're always gauging interest for potential new service offerings — but this is simply a survey.
'The wipe service is relevant as we see more cards coming directly to grading from eBay, where collectors aren't able [to] inspect or wipe the card themselves. It's not uncommon for PSA graders to remove fingerprints or smudges, but this concept would make it an official service we offer.'
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Described by PSA as 'cleaning and light buffing service to remove fingerprints, smudges, dust and reduce minor surface scratches prior to grading,' the wording originally confused collectors. Removing fingerprints or dust on the surface has been considered acceptable by many, while attempts to conceal scratches and other surface defects are generally condemned.
According to Hoge, the wording has been adjusted in the survey to better represent the service.
PSA confirmed to cllct Thursday the service is strictly 'wiping' the card, likely with microfiber cloth, and won't include any additional elements touching the card.
'No juice, no wax,' Hoge replied to a request for additional clarity on X.
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Customers questioned the company's stance on the service after PSA publicly condemned the use of kits that 'clean' cards with sprays, chemicals or other elements. In March 2024, PSA announced it would consider cards altered if 'foreign substances' were detected.
Since that announcement, PSA has deactivated the certifications for cards where substances were found or when it was publicly announced that services such as 'Kurt's Card Care' were used to prepare the card for grading.
Ben Burrows is a reporter and editor for cllct, the premier company for collectible culture. He was previously the Collectibles Editor at Sports Illustrated. You can follow him on X and Instagram @benmburrows.

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