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Knowledge You Can Build On — Est. 1998

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sunlight resistant or not?

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sunlight resistant or not?

#1

sunlight resistant or not?

GaryG in MD

OK, let's cut to the chase here.

We all hear a lot about using certain products to make sure they don't fade, but there seems to be a lot of question about which is which. I have four bottles that I want to know if I should use or toss.

The Craft Supplies "Artisan" dyes say on the front label:

"...Colors are highly fade resistant..."

The back label says: "...Non photochemically reactive..."

So is this just all advertising hype?

Do these alcohol-based dyes fade relatively quickly or not? ...GG

Re: sunlight resistant or not?

#2

Re: sunlight resistant or not?

Dick Coers

I'd say resistant if you don't park it in front of a southern facing window. Everything fades or changes in my opinion. Even stuff that says archival on it. Also blue tones are the worst, but all colors change. You can send it to me if you don't trust it, I like it.

Re: sunlight resistant or not?

#3

Thanks, Dick...

GaryG in MD

Sounds like a thoughtful 'split decision' to me. :-)

Re: sunlight resistant or not?

#4

Bill Blasic

Re: Thanks, Dick...

Bill Blasic

If the color (can be a clear coat as well) is photo-chemically reactive it means it will react with exposure to light sources (the sun being the worst, of course). Reds are usually the worst to shift and wash out, clears can dull, yellow, etc. Non-photo-chemically reactive usually means light stable although that doesn't exactly mean they are totally immune to shifting over time.

Found on internet

Re: sunlight resistant or not?

#5

Re: Thanks, Dick...

john lucas

I have also found red to be the least stabil of all the colors both in paints, photographs and the various dyes that I've used over the years. If it doesn't say light fast or archival on the colors I no longer use them. Now for personal use where the piece will always be inside colors will last for a very long time no matter what you use. But if it's going in a gallery or being sold I try my best to pick things that are as light fast as possible.

Re: sunlight resistant or not?

#6

You are seeking...

Brian Roberts

"light fastness".

When they taught us about finish repair and touch-up (violin and guitar repair) it was a major concern.

Lots of interesting info online as light fastness is a concern in many different industries:

http://www.chromaonline.com/products/au/archival_oils/colour_range/lightfastness_rating_what_it_means

http://www.pburch.net/dyeing/FAQ/lightfastness.shtml

http://www.brancher.com/-Resistance-a-la-lumiere-.html?lang=en

Re: sunlight resistant or not?

#7

Thanks for the reading material, Brian

GaryG in MD

I'll get into those. ...GG

Re: sunlight resistant or not?

#8

even indirect sky light will do it

GaryG in MD

I realize that box elder and dyes are not quite the same thing, but my box elder turned brown in a year or two while just sitting "near" a north window with nothing but indirect skylight touching it. ...GG

Re: sunlight resistant or not?

#9

Re: even indirect sky light will do it

john lucas

Box Elder will turn brown in 2 days in direct sunlight. I tried all kinds of finishes with UV and other things I could find to see if it stops it. Nope, none worked. out of direct sunlight it usually lasts a long time. I have some pieces that have been in a cabinet show case that gets very little indirect sunlight. They still look OK after a bunch of years.