by mharm2k6 » Sat Aug 16, 2008 3:29 am
It might work to spray a clear coat on time (like you mentioned), but I wouldn't risk it on that signature. Some clear coats will react weird to the signature and make it run or distort it [although a long time ago autographs were preserved by dipping the baseball in shelack {spelling?}- but this is not a baseball and that is frowned upon now]. The only thing I could think of would be to get a piece or paper or plastic and make it bigger than the signature. and then when you're going to get the helmet signed by other people sticky tack or tape it over the signature (making sure not to put any form of adhesive directly on it or too close to it. I am assuming %90 of the loss is from physical rubbing and not from the ink deteriorating. I know of someone who also used a microgrit sand paper and lightly wetsanded the surface of his helmet before he got it signed and then when all was done he put a sealer on it and as far as I know it held up (will have to ask him later). The last thing I could say is possibly looking for a different marker, Silver Sharpies are by far the most common I've see used, but some markers may hold up better.
It might work to spray a clear coat on time (like you mentioned), but I wouldn't risk it on that signature. Some clear coats will react weird to the signature and make it run or distort it [although a long time ago autographs were preserved by dipping the baseball in shelack {spelling?}- but this is not a baseball and that is frowned upon now]. The only thing I could think of would be to get a piece or paper or plastic and make it bigger than the signature. and then when you're going to get the helmet signed by other people sticky tack or tape it over the signature (making sure not to put any form of adhesive directly on it or too close to it. I am assuming %90 of the loss is from physical rubbing and not from the ink deteriorating. I know of someone who also used a microgrit sand paper and lightly wetsanded the surface of his helmet before he got it signed and then when all was done he put a sealer on it and as far as I know it held up (will have to ask him later). The last thing I could say is possibly looking for a different marker, Silver Sharpies are by far the most common I've see used, but some markers may hold up better.