Fleece material for display?

[Hissing_Sid]

Hi.

Just a quick question for anyone in the know about such things.

Just bought some Archival quality foam backing for my cases. Am now looking for a material to cover it beneath the case glass.

Having searched the forums I have seen the material 'fleece' mentioned on a couple of occassions as an OK material to use in display cases containing badges, medals etc.

So I've had a search around the local textile shops and found some 100% polyester fleece materials. Is 100% polyester usually what fleece is made from? And if so is this safe to use? Also fleece comes in different colours. Would different colours be ok to use, or is the colouring used in the manufacturing process harmful in any way?

All this is quite a minefield and although I have used the forum search function, I have been unable to find the answers to the particular questions posed above.

Any help or expertise would be much appreciated.

Cheers.... Sid

[Paul R.]

Sid, Fleece is a good source for a back ground material. It is 100% safe to use. It is use in several major museums in conservation applications. It does not attract moisture which could damage medals, or ribbons in a confined area such as a mounting frame. Usually lighter colors are prefered. Darker shades of colors(red,brown,grey,black,blue) can slightly heat up in a framed application if near sunlight. Light colors are recomended. Several things are recomended before used. Wash material in warm water with no soap. (twice) tumble dry on low heat, or line dry. Unbleached muslin works well also. With this material also wash twice. line dry, or dry with low heat. It is nor recomended to mount medals, or fabric tightly up to the glass. The fabric can out gas causing a ghosting, or causing a light image to appear on the glass. Paul

[Hissing_Sid]

Sid, Fleece is a good source for a back ground material. It is 100% safe to use. It is use in several major museums in conservation applications. It does not attract moisture which could damage medals, or ribbons in a confined area such as a mounting frame. Usually lighter colors are prefered. Darker shades of colors(red,brown,grey,black,blue) can slightly heat up in a framed application if near sunlight. Light colors are recomended. Several things are recomended before used. Wash material in warm water with no soap. (twice) tumble dry on low heat, or line dry. Unbleached muslin works well also. With this material also wash twice. line dry, or dry with low heat. It is nor recomended to mount medals, or fabric tightly up to the glass. The fabric can out gas causing a ghosting, or causing a light image to appear on the glass. Paul

Cheers for clearing that up Paul.

I bought a few sq metres of white 100% Polyester fleece earlier in the day, so now I'll go ahead and sort out my displays.

Many Thanks .... Sid

[Stahlhelm]

Sid,

I agree with Paul's advice 100%. I've followed his suggestions with those same materials, and it all worked out fine for me too. The muslin and fleece are excellent materials to use for any archival-minded collectors. Let us know how it works for you too.

Chris

[Hissing_Sid]

Sid,

I agree with Paul's advice 100%. I've followed his suggestions with those same materials, and it all worked out fine for me too. The muslin and fleece are excellent materials to use for any archival-minded collectors. Let us know how it works for you too.

Chris

Worked out fine Chris.

Took a couple of tips from what other people have done on the forum.

Got rid of the backing that came with the cases which were purchased here. (Walnut).

Bought Archival quality polyethylene foam from here. Cut out two layers (Slightly smaller than case interior dimensions) and placed them inside case to act as firm backing.

Bought White, 100% Polyester Fleece Material from local textile shop. Washed on lukewarm regular wash setting in the washing machine twice (Water only). Allowed 24 hrs for thorough hang drying. Cut two layers to same dimensions as backing foam and placed them on top. Cut third layer slightly larger and placed on top, tucking edges of this layer around the preceeding layers for a nice tight cushionlike effect. Cut fourth layer to a size that gave coverage slightly over the very edges of the lower lip of the case and placed over the other layers. When case closes and is secured this makes a nice tight seal between the lid and the case and keeps the top layer taut.

Arranged awards on top layer. Layers of fleece give a nice support for my badges, medals etc. With just the right amount of 'give' to enable the items to snuggle down and prevent movement. Badge fittings on reverse sink into the fleece without stress, allowing the badges to sit flush without having to resort to pressure from glass lid or the cutting out of 'hinge, pin & catch holes'.

Placed a couple of colour change Silica Gel sachets under the top layer of fleece in the corners.

Looks nice.

Plenty of materials left over.

Now all I need is a bigger collection so I can use them all up.

Will try to post some pics next week.

Cheers All.... Sid

[Stahlhelm]

Sid,

It sounds like you did a great job setting up your display. Your thorough description of what you did even gave me a few more good ideas, as well. Thanks!

It's a really great feeling indeed when you know you have everything surely safe and archival, once and for all. The work always pays off in the end, and the security and conservation of a collection is priceless.

I'm glad everything worked out for you, and I look forward to seeing those photos when you post them.

Chris

[Paul R.]

Hi Sid, Bravo! Great job, Glad you got the correct archival materials that you needed for the job! It's really not that hard to keep your fine artifacts safe and sound. I only wish more of us would do the same. Like I said before we spend a lot of money on our great hobby. It cost so little to keep the safe and sound... Paul

[Hissing_Sid]

Cheers guys. Glad you approve. I want to keep these things in as good a condition as possible in a working household.

Now for the barbed wire to keep to keep the kids away.

Cheers.... Sid

[Stahlhelm]

Cheers guys. Glad you approve. I want to keep these things in as good a condition as possible in a working household.

Now for the barbed wire to keep to keep the kids away.

Cheers.... Sid

Yes, I'd say keeping the kids away could be your most serious challenge! Even archival issues pale in comparison to curious children. Being a teacher myself, I know this about as well as anyone...

Good luck!

Chris