Check washing (Part 3)
Conclusion on the tape
Tape was used to preserve the signature on the checks. Regardless of the type of tape used, the liquid ended up getting under the tape anyway and washed the signature. It seems like the best way to protect the signature is to keep it out of the liquid as much as possible. If I were to do it again, I would use the clear label protection tape or masking tape and wash only parts of the check at a time. Absolutely do not use scotch tape because it will rip the paper, and do not use electrical tape because it is not adhesive enough.Conclusion on the pens
Bic Retractable Gel Pen: This pen simply does not wash. I have always read that gel pens are the best pens to use with checks, and this experiment definitely verified that fact.General Bic Round Stic: This pen is probably the worst pen to use on a check. The nail polish remover did an okay job on washing it, but the alcohol did a superb job of washing. When I used the nail polish remover and the alcohol together, the check was washed almost perfectly.
Sanford Expresso Extra Fine: The alcohol barely faded the ink, but the nail polish remover did a pretty good job in fading the text almost to the point where it could be completely washed. If I had left the check in the nail polish remover longer I'm confident the check would have washed nearly to completion.
Pilot Precise Rolling Ball Extra Fine: This was probably the most interesting pen to observe. The alcohol alone did an okay job, and the nail polish remover did an okay job. Together, the alcohol and the nail polish remover did an excellent (almost perfect) job of washing the ink. It seems that the components in the ink are partly soluble to the alcohol, and partly soluble to the nail polish.
How to improve this experiment
I'm assuming the nail polish remover used acetone or something similar -- and I would also venture to guess that the concentration of acetone in the nail polish remover was not very strong. In order to wash the check better, a higher concentration of acetone or alcohol could be used. In addition, a longer soak period (I did five minute soakings) could be used to increase the effect of the solvent. Finally, a truly non-polar solvent (such as gasoline, toluene, ether, etc.) could be used as well.How to protect yourself
Okay, so it's just a little scary that it is so easy for someone to steal your own money, isn't it? There are several ways to protect yourself from becoming a victim:- Use a gel-based pen. I won't say it's impossible to wash, but I have not heard of any wash method for gel pens.
- Don't put your checks in your mailbox...that red flag you have to put up helps check washers find you. If it is too much of a problem to not use your mailbox, make sure you don't leave your flag up overnight.
- If you're done with a check (it's voided, you messed up, etc.) make sure you shred it to hell before throwing it away.
- Remember to check your bank statements right when you get them. Keep your receipts and write down transactions in your ledger so you can quickly compare your checkbook to your monthly bank statement.
