I agree with Marc but will offer a few thoughts. First, you ned to be careful with the solvent that you are using with the B-72, especially on painted or decorated wood surfaces and finishes - it maay not be aa big problem when applying the baase coat but it could really destoy a locaalized area if that number and base coat have to come off. Also, if you are using b-72, then inking the number, and then a topocoat of b-72, this could very well be your problem. Usually the topcoat is a different resin, such as b-67 so that it is in a differnet solvent than the base coat. It also sounds like your mixture may have evaporated and become too concentrated, usually a 10% - 20% solution is what is need for labelling. As in all things conservation wise - always test an inconspicous area with a small q-tip and the solvent to see if it will affect finishes and paints before using a large amount (as in labeling) in a more conspicuous area. I am sure that you know this, but just for those who have less experience, always choose an area for labelling a class of artifacts that is consistent, such as the back of the propwr right chair leg, for example. Cheers! Dave David Harvey Conservator Los Angeles, California On 11/21/06, Amy Leonard <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > > > We are working on a project placing permanent numbers on unfinished wood > objects (furniture parts) by means of a base layer and topcoat of B72 with > the number written with a .01 micron pen. We have encountered problems with > bubbling of the B72 / goopiness, so that it obscures the number once a > topcoat has been placed over. When we try to remedy the goopiness by adding > a bit of acetone to the B72 mixture, it causes the ink to smear. We are > trying to find the best solution (pun intended) because we cannot use > tagging. We have considered pencil only and also just using a base coat of > B72 with no top coat. Any suggestions? Thanks. > ________________________________ > Get the latest Windows Live Messenger 8.1 Beta version. Join now. > ========================================================= Important > Subscriber Information: > The Museum-L FAQ file is located at > http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed > information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message > to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" > (without the quotes). > If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to > [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff > Museum-L" (without the quotes). > ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).