Let me reinforce the idea of an isolating coat under the number, which is
what makes the marking removable.  I currently use an acetate layer known
as "Soluvar".  I believe it is available in art supply stores.  Also,
check out Dudley, "Registration Methods" for basic numbering guidelines.
 _________________________________________

Miriam Albahari
[log in to unmask]
registrar, Jewish Historical Society of Maryland

"Miracles sometimes occur, but one has to work terribly hard for them."
                                                -Chaim Weizmann

> on the technicalities, but basically, nail polish has lots of extra
> nasty things in it that really arent good for objects.  I _believe_
> (dont flame me if i get this mixed up :) ) that our museum's anthro
> department uses PVA in acetone for this purpose.  Its the same basic
> ingredients without all the nasties that are in nail polish.
> Oh, and one more thing, put a layer of this mixture under the number
> as well as on top of it, this lets the number be removed or changed
> much more easily.  Reversibility, reversibility, reversibility :)
>
> Vanda Bushfield
> Grad Student
> Texas Tech University
>