We're an eBay affiliate and may be compensated on purchases made through clicks.

Silver paint pen - more UV resistant?

It seems to me that autographs signed in silver paint pen (or paint pen in general) are more resistant to the affects of light and consequently less likely to fade. Am I right about that? Just wondering.

0 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mike Shepherd on December 10, 2019 at 3:22am

This is interesting. I recently decided between two items. One is signed with a black Sharpie, and the other is signed with a silver Sharpie. I purchased the item signed in silver because I agree that it will be more likely to maintain its original appearance. It is less likely to bleed into the item. You may also be right about the black Sharpie fading more rapidly.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by James on December 10, 2019 at 2:31pm

I definitely prefer items signed in silver over black sharpie when considering footballs and basketballs.

I’ve seen many basketballs signed in black sharpie where the autograph is badly faded. They fade more rapidly, obviously, when they’ve been exposed to too much light by being displayed without UV protection. And I’ve also seen black sharpie balls which supposedly have been stored in their boxes, unexposed to light, yet they have a dull appearance. As you say, the black marker gets absorbed into the ball’s surface,.

On the other hand, I have a Wilt Chamberlain signed ball in silver paint pen, more than 20 years old, and it still has an almost-new appearance.