Preservation of Signed Balls

[AWA85]

Re: Preservation of Signed Balls

Well I finally got enough time tonight as I watched the Reds win a game to pack up my baseballs and try to protect them a little better. I will be off to Grad School and would rather have them stored away to keep them crisp for as long as possible. If anyone is looking overstock.com sells 36 Steiner baseball cubes for just under $40, pretty good deal.

Now I just need to get rid of about 15 of the ultra pro wood base ball and card holders I have.

[AWA85]

Re: Preservation of Signed Balls

Forgot the picture, it may not look like much but made a little chart so I know where each ball is without having to open up all of them.

[JCC1968]

Re: Preservation of Signed Balls

Scott

I can get the pouches made. in a three-side -seal pouch. pull a vaccum and seal the pouch. It would be easy to do.

Jason

[eGameUsed]

Re: Preservation of Signed Balls

Jason:

Thanks for your reply.

Where do you buy PET12/NY15/LLDPE40?

What is it? Sheets of plastic, etc.?

Scott

Scott,

These crazy initials are different grades of plastic. For storage and discoloration purposes, you do NOT want to get any post consumer or recycled materials (as mentioned above). Most of your solid ball cubes are PET (Polyethylene) derived. These usually are very clear and are the same material used to make coke countour bottles. PET molds without microscopic air entrainment making for a nice appearance, hence ballcubes that look great. PET also holds coatings well if applied correctly, making for UV protection.

Some LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene) or LLDPE (Linear Low Density Polyethylene) will discolor or yellow. LDPE and LLDPE are often used for soft applications such as bags and films. They don't break too easy. I won't get into a discussion about molecular structure and tensile strength, but many PE bags will infact discolor and leave a residue over time. If you have ever pulled something out of a ziploc and it felt dirty or slightly slimey, that is the LLDPE gasing off and degarding. This takes years, but I can't tell you the effect on leather or inks.

Sorry for the long winded answer! Having worked as a chemical engineer in the ethylene business for a few years, I had the chance to understand the effects of the stuff on different applications.

Long story short, I have over 150 HOF signed baseballs in Ultra-Pro UV coated stackable ball cubes. I have never had a ball go bad because of the cube. They are all displayed in a room kept between 69-74 degrees F year round. No direct sunlight and no museum or flourescent light. Just standard low wattage bulbs.

Hope this helps!

[JCC1968]

Re: Preservation of Signed Balls

Chris

That was a good explaination of film materials. Are you currently into plastics? Have you ever done pouching?

Thanks
Jason