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Author
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Topic: Sealing astronaut autographs on 3D items
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gliderpilotuk
Member Posts: 3398
From: London, UK
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 06-19-2016 12:53 PM
   
I had Fred Haise and Jim Lovell sign the base of my Danbury Mint Apollo 13 model (in silver). I'm a bit worried that they will wear off over time.Has anyone tried "sealing" the signatures? I know that hairspray (!) can be used as a fixer but would want to be sure. |
GACspaceguy
Member Posts: 2475
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 06-19-2016 04:34 PM
I have not covered anything as I am always afraid it will change over time. However, I had the same item signed the same way about five years ago and there as been no change. It is in a curio and out of any direct sunlight. |
jonspace
Member Posts: 169
From:
Registered: Jan 2014
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posted 06-19-2016 04:58 PM
There is likely more risk of deteriorating the autograph by applying anything to it. Keep it in a cool, dry place, away from sunlight, or other forms of UV light and you should be fine. |
Steve Zarelli
Member Posts: 731
From: Upstate New York, USA
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 06-19-2016 08:24 PM
In baseball collecting, it is not uncommon to "seal" the signatures on a signed baseball bat. A carefully applied coat of clear polyurethane will seal in sharpie signatures with no damage to the sigs.I don't think it's a bad idea... especially for an item that is displayed and can be exposed to dust, etc. That said, I would test it first... you never know how an ink may react. Sign a block of wood with the same pen and poly it over. NOTE!! I've heard that spray poly has chemicals in the propellant that may cause problems, so use a brush-on poly. |
stsmithva
Member Posts: 1933
From: Fairfax, VA, USA
Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 06-19-2016 08:48 PM
It's a good question. An astronaut signed a shuttle model for me in 2008, and the signature has definitely faded even though it hasn't been in sunlight. The ink has just dissipated off the glossy plastic surface. |
Joel Katzowitz
Member Posts: 808
From: Marietta GA USA
Registered: Dec 1999
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posted 06-19-2016 09:02 PM
I found an archival spray fixative that sounds like it might work for your application. I've never personally used this product but here's the manufacturers description:Golden Archival Spray Varnish provides a protective finish layer for fine artwork created with a wide variety of mediums, including acrylics, oils, pastels, watercolors, temperas, and inkjet prints. It offers excellent dirt-, dust-, and moisture-resistance, and is removable for conservation purposes. It contains ultraviolet light filters and stabilizers (UVLS) to provide archival protection and inhibit light damage. The adjustable fan spray tip allows for precise application with reduced overspray. |
Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 4167
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 06-20-2016 03:52 AM
Regarding Steve's comments about sealing baseball signatures I saw a recent interview on TV involving Rick Harrison from Pawn Stars and a signed baseball sealed in such a fashion: a Babe Ruth signature I think. While the ball still had value the coating had discoloured badly over time and damaged its value.Come to think of it I can't recall any clearcoat layer that has NOT discoloured to some degree over time I have several signed models (including the same Danbury Mint Apollo 13 piece) that have not deteriorated in any way despite being 10 or more years old. So far so good! Personally Brammers I'd leave well alone in a dust free cabinet out of direct sunlight and it should outlast you and me!! |
gliderpilotuk
Member Posts: 3398
From: London, UK
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 06-20-2016 04:09 AM
Thanks everyone. I'm not so much worried about fading as abrasion, so appropriate physical protection seems the best course. |
Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 4167
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 06-20-2016 04:43 AM
You can pick up a photographers "Blower brush" from as little as 99p post free from eBay: it does what it says on the tin.Gently blows and brushes away specs and dust from delicate camera optics. That should do nicely for the "tricky" cleaning. In the mean time, best give me your Apollo 13 "Rescue" hatch decal for safe keeping while you get on with the housework...  |
albatron
Member Posts: 2732
From: Stuart, Florida
Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 06-20-2016 01:30 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Rick Mulheirn:
While the ball still had value the coating had discoloured badly over time and damaged its value.
I saw that. A ball with old ink is different than sharpie on a bat though. I have a couple of multi-signed bats with that coat, that are at least 20 years old and no change at all. |
Wehaveliftoff
Member Posts: 2343
From:
Registered: Aug 2001
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posted 06-20-2016 09:57 PM
I heard that hairspray is sometimes used to remove salutations on 8x10s so I would not use it to protect a signature elsewhere.Has anyone given any thought to furniture spray that protects your furniture? |
JasonB
Member Posts: 1091
From:
Registered: Sep 2003
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posted 06-21-2016 09:19 AM
I can't imagine there's something to spray on a signature that would work better than simply putting the item in a case and keeping it out of sunlight.On the other hand I can think of a lot of things that could go wrong with spraying anything directly on an item or signature. |
Steve Zarelli
Member Posts: 731
From: Upstate New York, USA
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 06-21-2016 11:19 AM
I would never use either... A recipe for disaster. Hairspray has propellants, is sticky and who knows what's else is in there. Furniture spray is basically an oily scented wax. I'm sure it would damage a signature over time if not immediately. Signatures are probably best left alone, but if you really wanted a protective coat, water-based polyurethane has been time tested. I wouldn't mess with anything else. By the way, water based stays clear, while oil based poly may tone over time. While I don't think it would make much difference in a thin coat, something to consider. |
rgarner
Member Posts: 1193
From: Shepperton, United Kingdom
Registered: Mar 2012
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posted 06-21-2016 11:20 AM
I recommend that should you get anything signed henceforth, use an archive pen. Job done. |
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