posted 08-03-2025 09:05 AM               

It's just starting to get noticeable, and I'd like to halt the fading and prevent any more. I did some research, and a common remedy seems to be a clear acrylic spray. However, because of how smooth the surface is, I am a little reluctant to try that as it might show.

posted 08-03-2025 10:20 AM               

The first, most obvious, and the most serious is light fade caused by sunlight, especially UV light. The only way to control this is by removing the object from light sources - i.e. keep it in the dark as much as possible.

Applying a clear acrylic surface on top will not help as the light penetrates the acrylic layer quite easily. Keeping the object behind museum quality glass is a better way.

A secondary cause is atmospheric degradation, whereby such things as moisture, ozone or airborne pollution affects the ink. The best remedy for this is to isolate the object in a neutral atmosphere such as a nitrogen rich cabinet. Applying acrylic to the surface may help in the short term (in the order of years), but in the long term (in the order of decades), the acrylic is also attacked and creates a far more unsightly mess than the fading ever would.