Fanning Powder, or Simply Zinc Stearate
I wanted to tell you about this wonderful powdered substance, zinc stearate (known commercially as Fanning Powder).
It has many uses (even in daily life) and is great for cards, especially for:
· Fanning: If you treat a deck with a fine layer of zinc stearate, the cards will glide much more easily. The stearate is transparent and is used by magicians and casinos alike.
· Cleaning Decks: You can apply zinc stearate to a cotton pad to clean cards that might be dirty or marked by hand grease or heavy use.
Because of its fine texture, it fills in any minor scratches the cards might have.
This fills them in, making the deck handle smoother and faster.
Seriously, it's a fantastic substance.
Not to mention, if you're like me and your fingertips tend to get sweaty (especially in the summer), you'll appreciate a thin layer of this powder on your hands.
It's, no pun intended, magical.
On a personal note, I couldn't get a good Spring flourish (smooth and consistent, from a distance) until I started using this powder.
Anyway, like I said, this product is cheap if you buy it outside the magic industry 🙄 🤫 😅 (I checked Julio's shop and didn't see it, which is why I decided to share this 'open secret').
-It's easy to find at any online chemical supplier.
-It's not a dangerous or toxic substance, unless you ingest a large amount, so... DON'T EAT IT (or lick your fingers after handling it).
-And the best part? The more you buy, the cheaper it gets.
In my case, a 2kg tub was 13 Euros plus 7 for shipping (20 Euros total), which works out to 1 Euro per 100g.
That's a steal compared to Fanning Powder, and I guarantee you'll have enough for a lifetime (or maybe not 😂).
Here's the link to where I bought mine (for those outside of Spain, it might be better to buy it from a local store to avoid higher international shipping costs; I don't know, you'll have to check).
(I've seen it on Amazon, but it's more expensive there)
This is the 2kg size.
Obviously, a container that big isn't practical to handle every time you want to use it.
In my case, I used two empty baking soda containers and a smaller vitamin supplement bottle. I washed and dried them beforehand, labeled them (my personal touch), and filled them with the powder.
I've got powder for days...
Cheers everyone, good magic and great flourishes!!!
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Hey @Zeta, I'll tell you about my personal experience with these products, specifically the one from Murphy's Magic:
While they initially breathe new life into a deck, after a few days or weeks, they turn into a sort of paste, and the deck ends up, to put it mildly, feeling pretty gross…. It works great at first, but as the days go by, it starts to get gummy, and not only does it stop handling well, but it gets stickier than ever.
Honestly, I bought it to try and revive some decks I'm fond of, but what I've decided is that it's much better to just wash your hands thoroughly before using a deck you like, and then let them rest. But that's just my experience, not gospel, and other products might work better.
To be honest, I haven't used Zinc Stearate itself. I know it's used in the rubber industry, but I haven't applied it to cards.
Once you've used it for a while, let us know if the deck holds up.
Hey @cdiaz, I don't want to get ahead of myself yet, but I am experimenting with it.
It's going to take some time, but I'm documenting everything with photos and short videos, showing the whole process of what I've done so far and what's left to do.
Right now, I'm treating this deck,
As you can see, it's "well-used." And while the goal (with this deck) isn't for it to be perfect, I'm going to try to get it as good as possible.
For now, they're going to be "dusted" for a couple of days to see how it goes; the idea is for the powder to absorb some of the grime.
Then when it's time to clean them, for bigger spots, I'll rub the cards with the powder using a piece of cotton, and for smaller stains, especially on the edges, I'll use a makeup brush.
Depending on the results I get, I'll keep you updated.
@Carlos Diaz:
I think you shouldn't overuse the product, because that can definitely happen.
Anyway, for card handling, you don't even need to use the product directly on the cards; you can use the powder on your hands (especially on your fingertips) and you'll handle the cards better.
@Carlos Diaz:
THIS, ALWAYS 😊.
In fact, I have 3 or 4 decks I use on rotation, and I alternate them with others.
@Carlos Diaz:
So far..., the decks (both new and old) I've applied the product to are holding up well.
I'll keep you posted!!!
So, a perfect Faro shuffle is out of the question 😁 (it wasn't happening before either), but considering its previous state...
Given how useless the cards were, sticking together (it even felt like the grime added weight), they weren't even good for gimmicks, let alone for cardistry flourishes (which are super popular right now).
Now, whether you're feeling them one by one or just picking up the deck, it gives off this vibe of being used yet new at the same time. Really weird, but totally cool.
Their edges have taken on a golden hue that even disguises any lingering grime, making them look more like they've been gracefully aged by time.
And visually, I'm absolutely thrilled because it gives off a totally vintage vibe.
In fact, I'm going to start using it as if it were a magical deck from a magician a century ago, still holding the power of its former owner. And for self-working mathematical effects, where I don't even need to touch the cards and the audience does all the work, it's absolutely brilliant.
The entire process involved using zinc stearate as a cleaner, almost like a "painting restorer," applying it with a makeup brush.
And then, finally, thoroughly cleaning each card, one by one, on every side.
For a cherished deck, going through this process is definitely worth it.
For a regular Bicycle deck, before it gets this worn out (especially the edges), it's probably better to just turn it into gaff cards.
Hey Zeta,
Have you tried putting the stearate in a trash bag along with the entire deck, giving it a few shakes — like you're breading fish — and an occasional shake?
Hey!
@corderolosada:
Yeah, I have (though not a garbage bag 😅, a large Ziploc one reinforced with tape along all its 'breakable' edges).
I use that bag method for new decks.
And then I thoroughly clean each card, wiping off any excess (because no matter how much you wipe, the cards already have that product's feel).
I've also tried applying stearate only to the edges of new decks, holding them as a block. That's actually what I do these days.
It's a minimal and quick application, and it significantly improves the handling (or so it seems to me 😅) without overdoing it with too much powder.
It's all about trying it out! 😊
Cheers!!
I also use a press and an eraser for the edges.