Preserving pencil auto on baseball. HELP!

Fabfrank

My cousin has a Willie Mays autographed baseball that was given to his grandfather and has now been passed down to him. The problem is that the autograph is in pencil and is starting to fade. The ball has only sentimemntal value to him, but he wants to know if there is a way to preserve the auto. Does anyone have any suggestions??

Ironmanfan

pencil?

IMF

Fabfrank

pencil?

That's what it looks like. It could be a pen signature that's faded. Either way, he doesn't want it to fade further and wants to protect it. I remember in the old days, collectors would shellack their baseballs to preserve them and the sigs. I was wondering if there was another way to save the signature.

Ironmanfan

most likely too late to do anything now other than keep it out of any light whatsoever

picture?

IMF

VitoCo1972

He could spray the whole ball with clear Krylon. Do a web search for it. You'll see examples. It'll be a little shinier but won't ever fade.

Fabfrank

He could spray the whole ball with clear Krylon

Thanks Mike. That's exactly what I needed to know.

Ironmanfan

I'd poke my eye with a needle before i'd spray anything on any of my signed baseballs

IMF

WinPitcher

Me too, krylon? yikes.

In fairness to Mike, I've seen it done.

Fabfrank

This ball will never be resold. It was made out to his grandfather, whom he is named after. The value in the ball is all sentimental. He just wants to preserve the ball/auto so as to preserve the memory