Visor cap preservation

[Koguryo9]

Two questions:

(1) Are moth balls safe? As long as they do not touch the surface, it is OK?


(2) How to prevent visor crazing from happening?


Thank you!

[Paul R.]

It not a good idea to use moth balls peroid. Besides the human health problems related to them they also emit harmful fumes to fabrics. In time it will weaked the fabric. Some people have used other natural items such as natural cedar, lavender(never spray these on fabrics). I have had some success with these natral products. The natural products need to be replaced often to be effective. The best cure is to isolate your collection to a insect free room. Close all out side windows, doors, outside venting. Read the pinned article on mothing at the top of this conservation/safe keeping. Keep your room free of moth food. keep it clean vaccum, dust often. Keep pets out besides they shed, some have flees, Keep all types of types of food out. Make sure you have some air movement. Check you items often. Brush off your items with a nutural brush DO NOT USE A TAPE ROLLER. YOU WILL LEAVE BEHIND A RESIDUE. After you are done brushing vaccum of the brush. Store the brush in a plastic bag. Wear cotton or laytex gloves to prevent body oils and sweat traces left behind on your items. Even just washed hands leaves behind body stuff. store in an acid free box


As far a visor cracking crazing avoid extreme tempatures and humidity. Avoid direct sunlight, and artifical light. Also keep in mind it can be a poorly manufacture problem. Hope this helps Paul

[Koguryo9]

Thanks Paul, you are always helpful. Which is better, leaving the caps out in the open by placing them on the display case/shelf or placing them inside sealed, air-tight boxes? And I don't know how you will have air flow if you close all the windows and vents?

As to extreme temperatures and humidity, is 50 degree for temperature and 30 for humidity too low? Thanks Paul!

[Paul R.]

Koguryo9. If you display a piece of head gear in the open. You will run into the problem of insects sooner that later. This is some time hard for me as well (small time collector) how to display a visor/hat. I have a plexiglass display cube that I use. I rotate the visors/hat frequently. I never have then near sunlight heat, cold, or spot lighting, and the other big concern never use a hat mannequin, or some other had display divice that will streach out and distroy your har/visor.

Heat and humidity that hard at times to control. Even with a humidifier. humidity should be between 40-45%. Heat between 65-70.
There are several filtration filters that can be fitted over a vent port that is not too unsightly. People with bad allergies use them. I believe 3m makes them Paul

[NTZ]

Outside of moths the two most important things are to try and keep a steady temperature where you store them and also watch the humidity. Don’t let it get too dry or your leather sweatbands with start to harden.

[NTZ]

is 50 degree for temperature and 30 for humidity too low? Thanks Paul!

IMO yes. I try and keep at least 45% humidity and no lower that 65 degrees.

[Paul R.]

NTZ is correct too dry is also bad. I did not mention it because most humidity is to high. Yes to dry is bad for visors, leather, paper, book binding, glued items. Paul

[Koguryo9]

Thanks Paul and Nick. The problem is, winter here in Massachusetts is very cold and dry. The temperature at our house is usually around 60 to 65, I have control over it, but it is the humidity that I can't control. It is usually around 30. I don't see myself using a humidifier all winter long. What do I do?

[Koguryo9]

I wonder how Bill Shea, who lives in Hubbardston, MA deals with the "humidity in winter" issue..

And Paul, how do you control humidity in summer when it is too high? Use silica gel desiccant ?

[Paul R.]

If during the winter the hunidity is 30% you might invest in a room humidifier. 30% is going to stress out a lot of things even the house, furniture, books, photographs ect. In summer I use a dehumidifier. Lots of humidity in Minnesota. Yes, I also add selica gel packs in packing up any military items. Paul

[Koguryo9]

Paul, just leave a bucket of water in the room where the visors are kept, will that do it? I am cheap, hehe

[dasboot]

in regards to the cracking issue again, my visor is starting crazing and was wondering if theres any products I should apply before it gets worse? any treatments?

opinions?

Thanks

[Paul R.]

Sorry to say nothing will stop it from happening. The visor itself was exposed to extreme temperatures causing the fiber base composition to do this. Direct sunlight and ultra violet may have played a part of this as well. The outside black plastic like material is damaged. There is nothing that will help. Some people will say spray plastic coating like polyurethane, or shoe polish, or even spray paint.
Sorry to say if you apply any of these products they can do more damage. Despite what some wishful thinking people may tell you. In the end it’s your call