Preserving Autographs
 

Does anyone know how to preserve autographs that are on your medals/t-shirts. I had Dean and Woodie sign my medal and shirt but do not want them to wear off. Should I cover them in clear nail polish? I am guessing I shouldnt wash/wear my shirt much but am clueless on how to save my medal signatures. If anyone knows how it would be great. I would like to wear them again but am to afraid the signatures will wear off.

-Kelli

Re: Preserving Autographs
 

I had Steve Wozniak sign my iPod on the metal side with sharpie at the Boston Regional, and it has already smudged off.

I recommend taking a photo of the items, so even if the signature goes away, you'll always have the photo :D

Re: Preserving Autographs
 

<hmm.. thinks of great idea> :)

For now, I'm guessing some clear laminating material may work for now, just put it over the medal and then maybe use a hairdryer? It should work.. maybe?

Re: Preserving Autographs
 

depends on what they signed the item with. Nail polish contains acetone. Acetone will take off just about ANYTHING.

If they were signed with a Sharpie you could do some tests - write on something else with the same kind of sharpie, then try painting over it with different clear coats of paint?

or maybe the answer is to get a frame?

Re: Preserving Autographs
 

That actually works quite well. The Head Mentor of our team got an iPod Nano before any cases came out, and he used shrink wrap to create an outer casing for it. If you want to protect an autograph on a surface like the back of an ipod that would work very well.

As for T-shirts, you're best off framing them or vacuum sealing them?

Re: Preserving Autographs
 

my Woodie signature is almost gone already...but I did get this picture of it Sunday

http://www.selectric.org/nixie/woodie.jpg

Re: Preserving Autographs
 

Another alternative with the shirts is to just not care, wear the shirts, wear it off, and then get another shirt signed the following year. Woodie/Dean typically make it to most of the regionals either separately or together and are always happy to ink up your stuff.

Re: Preserving Autographs
 

*cough* Frame? Stick easy? Stick Simple? Stick fast? */cough*

lol

Pavan

Re: Preserving Autographs
 

i kinda agree. I mean if its really important for one, why not just frame it. Com'n its the Deans n Woodies autograph......... I'll do it!. :cool:

Re: Preserving Autographs
 

If the shirt you plan on wearing a lot, I would reccomend just washing it on a cold cycle for the first few washes, I have signatures with a black sharpie from a few years ago on shirts that I have worn numerous times and they are still clearly visible. If it is any other color sharpie good luck, the rest have always seemed to bleed color a lot no matter what.

Re: Preserving Autographs
 

Kelli-

For your shirt signatures, try using a very hot iron both on the back side of the shirt and over the signature itself...hold the iron there for about a minute (but of course don't let the shirt burn!)...that should hold the sharpie signature pretty well, I've done that to my shirts and they last quite a while. Of course, I only wear those shirts out when I want to start a conversation or impress people :-)

Robyn

Re: Preserving Autographs
 

For the medals you can use Deft. It's a clear laquer based finish available at most hardware/home centers. Use the spray can version to get more even coverage and spray it in several light coats.