I was wondering if there was some type of product you sell or you know of that I can spray over a picture that was autographed using a Sharpie.
We suggest to mount the photograph behind glass with a UV filter in it. We would not want to run the risk of applying something that might yellow or discolor the actual photo. Locate a local photography studio or a gallery and ask them about this type of glass. Also, do not keep the photo in a room that gets a lot of natural sunlight.

I have a question about the removal of marker from an acrylic mural; the mural has a coat of MSA Varnish, as well as an isolation coat.
I am the conservator (in-training) at GOLDEN. I recently graduated from the Master of Art Conservation Program at Queen's University, Kingston, ON. I think it is a good idea to remove the varnish in order to see how far into the design layers the marker ink has penetrated. Hopefully, the marker ink has only reached the very surface of the paint. A word of caution: the solvent you use to remove the varnish may partially resolubilize the marker ink and there is a risk of spreading the ink and having it absorb into the paint layer. You may want to use one of the dry methods below to mechanically remove as much of the marker from the varnish layers only as possible before using solvents to remove the varnish.

1. Dry methods:

• slivers of white Mars Staedler eraser can be sliced and used to pick up color; slivers allow one to contact only the marker lines and not the surrounding paint.
• crumbs of the same white Mars eraser (finely grated on a cheese greater). Rub the crumbs around with a gloved finger and rub off (can gently brush and vacuum off). The crumbs will pick up the color of the marker.
• excoriation with a fine scalpel of only the markered areas, provided that the marker resides near the surface of the paint film.

2. Semi-dry/Poulticing method:

• PVOH sponge (can easily be ordered for under $10.00 from Peregrine Brushes http://www.PeregrineBrushes.com/index.php) that has a super-fine texture. The sponge can be soaked in water to soften, then rung out. Then dipped into the chosen solvent (see below), rung out, then applied to the mark for a few minutes at a time, or as long as it takes to poultice up the color. The sponge can be cut into smaller, more suitable shapes.

3. Wet techniques:

• No doubt, you have already tried to establish the type of solvents in the marker ink. There may be a certain type of solvent in the ink when it is wet, but when it dries (the solvent evaporates), the medium left may have changed chemistry and may be soluble in another class of solvents. For example, while the ink mark was wet, it may have contained xylenes. But the dry ink medium that is left behind may now only be soluble in ethyl alcohol (also known as ethanol).

To apply any liquid solvent, including water to only the markered areas of the mural, you may want to use a cotton medical swab (available in some pharmacies). The swab allows you to control the contact of the solvent with the mural--in this way, you may not need to repaint the entire section of the mural, but just small localized areas, instead. Try to pickup only the ink and not the paint color.

Three liquid solvents to try include:

1. distilled water (available from the grocery store)
2. rubbing alcohol (contains isopropanol, which is related to ethyl alcohol)--can be mixed in a 1 to 1 or less solution with the distilled water
3. ethyl alcohol (also known as ethanol) gin is a good source of ethanol. In conservation practice, ethanol is used to remove permanent marker ink. Ethyl alcohol is also available through chemical supply houses such as Sigma-Aldrich, on-line.

Finally, before you start, you may want to try calling the Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI). I understand they offer advice and services to the public. (613) 998-3721, fax (613) 998-4721, 1030 Innes Road, Ottawa, ON K1A 0M5. Ask for the Conservation Treatment and Related Services Department.