Hi Amanda - The problem might be with your top coat, not the pen.  Sometimes if there's too much solvent in the solution the top coat will erase the ink rather than covering it.  I had this problem with top coat I bought from University Products a few years ago.  The stuff I bought from the Northern States Conservation Center works well though.  I've been told you can mix your own base and top coats too (although I haven't tried it myself).
 
Lindsey Richardson

Curator of Collections

Boston Children’s Museum

300 Congress Street

Boston, MA  02210

Tel. 617 426 6500 x366

Fax 617 426 2589

www.bostonchildrensmuseum.org

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Amanda Dyer
Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2008 4:36 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [MUSEUM-L] numbering in pencil?

Hello All:

 

I’m having trouble finding an archival black pen that won’t smear when a top coat of clear B-72 is applied when numbering an artifact. Can anyone give any reasons why I shouldn’t use a pencil to apply the number between the barrier layers?

 

Thanks,

Amanda

 

Amanda Thompson Dyer

Curator

Bell County Museum

201 N. Main Street

P.O. Box 1381

Belton, TX 76513

254.933.5244 (p)

254.933.5756 (f)

www.bellcountymuseum.org

 

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