According to The New Museum Registration Methods (highly recommended by the way),  clear nail polish is not acceptable because it is often made from cellulose nitrate that can yellow, shrink or turn brittle as time goes on.  Even modern nail polishes which may be made of more stable materials are still uncertain and require a harsh solvent to remove them.  Other products like Soluvar require a less harsh solvent such as mineral spirits.  Tell your supervisor that the nail polish may peel with age, taking the accession number and/or the surface of the object with it.  At our museum, liquid paper was used for the white coat for many years and all the numbers are falling off - it makes for a very difficult time during inventory and reconciliation.

[Mostly all stolen from The New Registration Methods edited by Rebecca Buck and Jean Allman Gilmore)

Erin

_______________________________________________
Erin Quinn
Collections Coordinator
City of Greeley Museums
919 7th Street
Greeley, CO 80631
(970) 350-9218
[log in to unmask]


>>> [log in to unmask] 07/10/01 07:33PM >>>
Hello.  I am new to the list and would like to say hello to everyone out
there in cyberspace.
I have a question regarding methods of labelling artifacts.  Does anyone
have any information about the use of clear nail polish as a base & top coat
for labelling archaeological artifacts.  I have always  been under the
impression that it was not an acceptable practice, but my supervisor wants
us to use it to save on cost.
Advice, comments, etc. greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Kae

K.E. Neustadt, Lab Manager
Northland Research, Inc.
2510 S. Rural, Ste. 108
Tempe, AZ 85282
(480) 736-0501
(480) 894-0957 fax

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