Quick answer

Keep PSA10 slabs in acid-free sleeves or fitted cases, store them upright away from sunlight and heat, and clean the acrylic only with a microfiber cloth and mild plastic-safe cleaner. Never use paper towels, alcohol, or abrasive polishes on the slab, and never open the tamper-evident holder. If a scratch or crack reaches the PSA label or seal, stop handling the card and consider professional reholdering instead of DIY repair.

Start with safe handling habits

Most slab damage happens in the first few seconds of handling. Pick up a PSA10 case by the edges, not the face, and keep your fingers off the label window. Oils and grit transfer easily to acrylic and can leave marks that look like scratches. Work over a soft surface such as a felt mat or clean towel so a dropped slab does not crack at the corners.

If you are showing a card to someone, hold the slab yourself or place it on a stand rather than passing it hand to hand. For high-value pieces like a PSA10 Eevee Munch Exhibition promo, a simple display stand reduces the chance of a fumble and keeps the face visible without touching.

Clean the case without damaging it

PSA cases are acrylic, and acrylic scratches more easily than glass. Use a clean microfiber cloth and a plastic-safe cleaner or distilled water. Wipe in straight lines rather than circles, which helps you spot new scratches and avoids trapping grit. Do not use paper towels, tissues, or rough cloths, and avoid alcohol, acetone, ammonia, or abrasive polishes because they can cloud the surface.

For fingerprints on the label window, breathe lightly on the plastic and wipe once with the microfiber cloth. If a mark will not lift with gentle cleaning, leave it alone. Repeated scrubbing is more likely to create haze than to remove a set-in smudge.

Store slabs to prevent scratches and warping

Store graded cards upright, not stacked flat under weight, and keep them out of direct sunlight. UV exposure fades the card inside the slab even though the case itself is clear. A closed cabinet or a box with a lid works better than an open shelf near a window.

Use acid-free sleeves or fitted slab bags to keep dust off the acrylic. If you stack slabs, put the flattest and least valuable ones at the bottom and avoid pressing the faces together. For long-term graded card storage, a padded case with individual slots prevents sliding and edge chips. Cards like the Rapidash 1ED Japanese Base Expansion Pack PSA10 are heavy enough that a snug slot is safer than a loose pile.

Control temperature and humidity

Acrylic expands and contracts with temperature, and sudden swings can stress the seal. Keep slabs in a room with stable conditions, away from radiators, vents, and damp basements. High humidity does not usually enter a sealed PSA holder, but it can affect the paper label and the outer sleeve.

A simple hygrometer helps you notice seasonal swings. If your storage area regularly feels damp or overly dry, move the collection to a closet or interior room before you invest in more slabs.

Know when to stop and reholder

If a slab has a deep scratch across the label, a crack near the seal, or any sign of tampering, stop cleaning and handling it. DIY repairs with glue, polish, or heat can void the grade and damage the card. PSA offers a reholdering service that transfers the card into a new case while keeping the certification number, which is the safer route for a damaged holder.

A light surface scuff on the back of the case is usually cosmetic and does not affect the card. A crack that runs through the edge or a loose label is a different problem. When in doubt, photograph the damage and contact the grader before doing anything else.

Slab problem diagnosis

  • Fine surface scratches on the case: Usually caused by wiping with paper towels, storing slabs loose in a box, or sliding them across hard surfaces. Switch to a microfiber cloth and fitted sleeves, and separate slabs so faces do not rub. Cosmetic only; no reholdering needed if the seal and label are intact.
  • Cloudy or hazy patch on the acrylic: Often the result of alcohol, ammonia, or abrasive cleaner. Stop using that product immediately. Mild plastic polish is risky, so test on an inconspicuous corner or leave it alone. If haze sits over the label, ask PSA about reholdering rather than polishing further.
  • Crack at the corner or along the edge: Comes from drops, tight stacking, or shipping pressure. Do not tape, glue, or clamp the case. Place the slab in a padded sleeve and keep it flat while you arrange reholdering. Stop handling and contact PSA; a cracked tamper-evident holder is no longer a reliable seal.
  • Faded card art inside a clear case: Caused by UV light from windows or display lighting over months or years. Move the slab to a closed cabinet or a UV-filtered display and rotate pieces out of direct light. Fading cannot be reversed; prevention is the only fix.

Graded cards in this collection