Frequently Asked Questions

Is Pokémon card restoration considered altering?

No, not when it stays non-invasive. PSA, BGS and CGC flag a card as altered when material is added or removed: trimming, recoloring, coatings, sealants, or filling chips. Removing surface dirt, oils and residue, polishing light scratches, and reducing minor dents adds nothing to the card and is widely accepted. CardCureSG only does the second kind. If a card needs the first kind to look better, we tell you and recommend you leave it as is.

Will cleaning my Pokémon card affect PSA grading?

Done correctly, no. Done incorrectly, yes, and permanently. PSA flags cards as "Authentic Altered" only when cleaning leaves visible evidence such as chemical residue, surface gloss changes, polish marks, or warping. Our process is specifically built to avoid every one of these triggers. We only perform restoration that stays within PSA's accepted limits. If your card has damage that can't be safely treated, we'll tell you upfront and recommend you skip it.

What types of damage can you fix?

We treat surface contamination, light scratches on non-holo areas, edge whitening, residue, and hairline marks. Specifically: surface dust and fingerprints, light surface scratches on non-holographic areas, sticky residue from old stickers or aged sleeves, surface-level edge whitening, hairline pressure marks.

What can't be fixed?

Structural damage and anything that requires adding material to the card cannot be safely fixed. Specifically: creases, deep scratches that have torn the print layer, bent or warped cards, water damage that has reached the cardstock, holo scratches that have lifted foil, and any damage to the corners or edges that affects the cardstock structure. We assess every card honestly before quoting.

How much does it cost?

Most cards cost between S$19 and S$99. Deep Clean starts at S$19 per card, Full Restoration starts at S$39 per card, and the final price depends on condition and work required. Assessments are always free, even if you do not proceed. Send us photos via WhatsApp for a specific quote, no obligation, no upsell. See our Services page for the full pricing breakdown.

How long does restoration take?

Deep Clean takes 1 to 2 weeks and Full Restoration takes 2 to 4 weeks, counted from the day we receive your card. Express service cuts that time for 50 percent extra, subject to workload. Larger batches or heavily damaged cards may take longer. We give you a specific turnaround estimate at the assessment stage before any work begins.

Do you accept cards from outside Singapore?

No. CardCureSG only accepts submissions from within Singapore. We're focused on Singapore-based collectors and don't offer international shipping or pickup at this time.

What happens if my card is lost in your care?

We've never lost a card in our operations, and we document every submission on receipt. For high-value submissions, we recommend insured shipping when you send the card to us, and that you keep a documented condition photo from before sending. Full liability terms are covered in our submission agreement.

How do I package my card to send to you?

Penny sleeve, then semi-rigid holder, tape the holder closed, into a bubble mailer, sent via tracked mail. This five-step method prevents the most common shipping damage we see. Full step-by-step guide with materials list and what NOT to do is on our shipping guide.

How do I get my cards to you in Singapore?

Two ways. Arrange a drop-off in Singapore with us via WhatsApp, or mail your cards to us by tracked post, each card in a penny sleeve and semi-rigid holder inside a bubble mailer. We confirm receipt with photos the day your cards arrive. Send us photos first for a free assessment and we will sort out the handover details on WhatsApp.

Can you remove edge whitening on my Pokémon card?

Surface-level edge whitening can be safely reduced. Deep edge wear cannot. Whitening caused by handling friction or sleeve wear typically responds well to our controlled mechanical buffing process. Whitening from deep wear, where the cardstock layer itself is structurally exposed, cannot be restored without triggering PSA's alteration designation. We assess each case honestly and tell you before any work which category your card falls into.

What's the difference between card cleaning and card restoration?

Cleaning removes surface contamination. Restoration (sometimes called card repair) treats actual damage to the card. Cleaning addresses dust, fingerprints, light scratches, and residue sitting on top of the card. Restoration goes deeper: edge work, dent reduction, and treating wear that has affected the card's surface or cardstock. We offer both, and your assessment tells you which (or both, or neither) your card needs.

Can you guarantee my card will grade higher after restoration?

No, and any restorer that promises a specific grade outcome is lying. PSA grading involves dozens of factors including centering, corners, surface, and edges, and we can only improve some of them. What we can guarantee: our work is safe, your card will present better after our process, and the work won't trigger PSA's alteration flag. The actual grade is always PSA's call.

Do you work with Japanese Pokémon cards?

Yes. CardCureSG works with both English and Japanese Pokémon cards across all eras. Japanese cardstock and surface coatings differ slightly from English cards, and we adjust our process accordingly. Vintage Japanese cards (Base Set, Neo, e-card era) receive the same care as their English counterparts.

Can you restore a card that is already graded?

Yes. We crack the slab, restore the card and prepare it for resubmission. Cracking is permanent: the original grade, label and the grading company's guarantee no longer apply and the card returns to raw. Tell us the current grade and what you are hoping to improve, and we will assess honestly whether resubmitting is likely to be worth it before we open anything.

Do you also clean sealed booster boxes or display cases?

No. We work on individual Pokémon cards only, raw or already graded. If your card is in a slab, we can crack it, restore the card and prepare it for regrading. We do not clean or restore sealed product, booster boxes, ETBs or display cases.

How is express pricing calculated?

Express turnaround adds 50 percent to the base service price for that tier. This applies to Deep Clean and Full Restoration. Express availability depends on current workload, so confirm with us before assuming it is available for your submission.

Do you offer discounts outside of Custom Order pricing?

Volume discounts are available for submissions of 10 or more cards, handled under Custom Order. For smaller submissions, pricing follows the standard tiers above. Message us with your card count for an exact quote either way.

What payment methods do you accept?

PayNow, bank transfer, and cash. Payment is due after the assessment and before restoration work begins. Cards are not released back to clients until payment clears.

What's your refund/cancellation policy?

Once restoration has begun, the service is non-refundable. If you change your mind before we start work, contact us within 12 hours of payment for a full refund. Cards in pre-work status are returned to you in their original condition with no fee.

Do I pay before or after the work is done?

Payment is collected after your free assessment and before we begin restoration work. You will always see the exact price and scope first. Nothing is charged automatically, and there is no obligation to proceed after the assessment.