Resolved HELP. Conservation glazing: Sharpie on wood with a metal letter (see images)

[WyomingArtFrame]

Hi guys,

I'm stumped. A customer brought in this piece and wants us to put something on it to protect it. It is sharpie on wood, with a large letter "D" made from metal. The "frame" has no rabbet. I thought about popping acrylic in there but I don't know how to secure it, since I couldn't tuck it all the way against the D or the acrylic will scratch?

Is there maybe a liquid or spray glaze I could paint or spray on that would keep the sharpie from fading (without making it run)??? I'm open to any and all suggestions.

 

[Ylva]

No matter what you do, Sharpie will fade. It is not lightfast. So make sure that your customer knows this. UV protective glass will help slow down the fading, but there is nothing to prevent it from fading. You have no control over the materials used.

So, as for adding that glass (and NO, do not spray anything on it. It won't make much of a difference, it is not your responsibility but will become yours when something goes wrong)

Does the D extend beyond the 'frame'?
I would put the glass on top of the 'frame' and then cap it with another frame to hold it in place. The existing 'frame' serves as a spacer.

 

[neilframer]

No matter what you do, Sharpie will fade. It is not lightfast. So make sure that your customer knows this. UV protective glass will help slow down the fading, but there is nothing to prevent it from fading. You have no control over the materials used.

So, as for adding that glass (and NO, do not spray anything on it. It won't make much of a difference, it is not your responsibility but will become yours when something goes wrong)

Does the D extend beyond the 'frame'?
I would put the glass on top of the 'frame' and then cap it with another frame to hold it in place. The existing 'frame' serves as a spacer.

I totally agree with this.
There are some "barn wood" frame mouldings available that could be used over the top of the "frame" with UV glass.
Another option is to put a Plexiglas box over it if the existing piece is square and the measurements are good but a UV Plexiglas box might be more expensive than just a UV glass and a frame over the existing frame.

 

[Prospero]

Perhaps you could fabricate a pair of blackout curtains on the frame that could be drawn back for viewing.

 

[wpfay]

Peter's tongue-in-cheek response would work on some light sensitive art to really slow down oxidation from light energy.
Unfortunately the inks in a Sharpie will fade (oxidize) without any light energy being present.
UV filtering glazing does mitigate this a little, but it's still not a long term solution.
Being on wood may also prove to be an issue that accelerates fading, and including the wood in a closed frame will capture any acid gas created by the wood itself.

I would suggest disassembling the piece and get the signed board scanned, restoring the signatures in photoshop. Print a replacement and frame that as Ylva suggested with a cap frame over the current strip framing holding a lite of UV filtering glazing in place, or remove the strips and frame as a conventional shadowbox. With the signatures now on paper, you can approach it with a fresh start. The challenge will be using a non-donor substrate that you can attach the metal letter to.