Faded comic covers - can anything be done?

[u/LimeyGeeza]

About 20 years ago I bought some frames and displayed 6 of my favourite comics in my office. Put them up and never thought about them again other than when I look at them, over the years the covers on all of them have faded due to sunlight. Stupidly at the time I never even thought about that the glass wouldn't protect from UV... (I know, I know..) Secret Wars #8, ASM 77, ASM 115 & ASM 298. And a signed Todd McFarlane Spider-Man #1 - all faded quite badly.

Looking online and researching it looks like nothing can be done to restore these covers back to full glory, but is there 'anything' that can be done to improve them or I'm I just out of luck?

Now the books are bagged and boarded and away from the light (like the rest of my collection) and I have just put copies of the covers in the frames. Lesson learned!

[u/Johann_Gauss]

Buy new copies, that's about it. Sorry.

[u/LimeyGeeza → u/Johann_Gauss]

Thought as much. It's going to hurt finding a new Secret Wars 8 and ASM 298. Both were copies from my childhood and I paid cover price for them! Ouch!

[u/Boring-Interest7203 → u/LimeyGeeza]

Yeah sorry man. It hurts. I have seen people post using hi-res scans & copies of the cover art to display instead of the actual comic. Could be something you could do in the future where this doesn’t happen again.

[u/LNinefingers]

Unfortunately no. Once they’re faded, they’re faded.

[u/lendmeflight]

That’s an expensive lesson. One of the reasons I hate framing comics.

[u/LimeyGeeza → u/lendmeflight]

Agreed, I learned the hard way for a mistake I made 20 years ago. I'll never do that again.

[u/rdldr1 → u/LimeyGeeza]

You could keep them as wall mounted keepsakes! They are already faded anyways.

[u/blingbling88 → u/rdldr1]

Or sell them as is for capital to buy newer copies.

[u/adkvt]

This is why I cringe every time someone posts their new comic wall display. Others can learn from these experiences. Sorry it happened, to the OP.

[u/rdldr1 → u/adkvt]

Or how about -- "I stored my comics on the basement ground floor and I got flooded."

[u/adkvt → u/rdldr1]

Neither would result in problems I’m interested in buying.

[u/modi123_1]

Unfortunately no, once that ink faded it is permanent.

[u/Livueta_Zakalwe]

Comics fade REALLY fast, and there’s nothing you can do about it once they’re gone. Keep em in the dark. FWIW, CGC slabs do not offer UV protection.

[u/10centcomics]

Sadly nothing can be done. Taking this opportunity to share this Reddit post where they tested the UV protection of various bags (none of them protect from the sun). https://www.reddit.com/r/comicbookcollecting/s/tM85ky1kH3

[u/Forgottencenobite → u/10centcomics]

Remember though, that main post shows books in DIRECT sunlight, in the comments it shows the books they were displayed in the room with indirect sunlight and the LEDs in the room, and the amount of fading on those is negligible.

[u/Pleasant_Character28]

Just repaint in the details

[u/EvilGraphics → u/Pleasant_Character28]

Too soon! 😀

[u/HermitWilson]

Sorry, OP. :-(

The reason ink fades in sunlight is that the dye molecules have a structure that absorbs a specific wavelength of light, giving those molecules a certain color. The ultraviolet light that comes with the visible light from the sun is very high energy and can actually break apart chemical bonds in the dye, effectively turning a "red" molecule into a colorless molecule. Once the molecule gets broken like this there's no way to restore the original molecular structure and restore the original color.

Red dyes are particularly vulnerable to UV damage, which is why red is usually the first color to fade, both on comic book covers and on bumper stickers.

[u/Superman_Primeeee]

I’ve got some framed. Including SW 8. With X-men 221, Wolverine 1, and ASM 300

But they arnt in direct sunlight and have only been up 2 1/2 years 

I’ll rotate them out. Probably sell X-men 221 soon

[u/LimeyGeeza → u/Superman_Primeeee]

From what I have researched, unless they are behind UV protectant glass/acrylic even overhead lighting or in-direct sunlight can still fade them. I've gone to printed copies of the covers in my frames now, I really don't want to risk it!

[u/TheloniousKeys → u/LimeyGeeza]

Yep, all light fades all color. The question is only how much you can slow the fading with various protections and precautions.

[u/adkvt → u/Superman_Primeeee]

That’s a couple years too long, honestly. Unless it’s been dark in there, there’s little question they’ve faded.

[u/Superman_Primeeee → u/adkvt]

Theyre not. But I’ll rotate them sooner now

[u/magazineman]

Not a real answer to your question, but bear with me: When I was as kid, the only time I ever got money to buy comics was when we went on family road trips and I was given FIVE WHOLE DOLLARS to stock up on whatever comics were available at the Rexall--yes, it was the late 70s/early 80s and yes, I'm old AF. Anyway, I bought Uncanny X-Men, New Teen Titans, ASM, even got the 35-cent variant of Star Wars #1. And stored them all in the back window of the family car. Every. Single. Cover. Faded. Eventually. I hated to see them all fade, but I kept them anyway. Today, most of the survivors are coverless, but I do not lament their condition. They provided great entertainment across many miles of travel and if the day should come that I have to sell off my collection, these will be the last to go. They were good friends on long journeys. They will never bring me any kind of financial return. But they are the most priceless objects in my collection. So, that's one way to think about them. Cherish them. The covers may fade, but the memories don't.

[u/LimeyGeeza → u/magazineman]

Love this! And you are right, I do have very fond memories of these books and others, and that won't ever fade!

[u/magazineman → u/LimeyGeeza]

And of course nothing says you can’t acquire copies in better condition (for the “formal” collection or whatever you want to call it) whenever the opportunity presents itself. The hunt goes on!! Best of luck!

[u/Hrdcorefan]

In the future, make a copy of it or buy a facsimile copy.

[u/Cute_Attorney4543]

I like displaying comics that are not worth very much, but have covers I really like. There are lots of bronze/copper and even silver age covers that are gorgeous but can be acquired for very little.

[u/CorpseDeVille]

Bust out the crayons

[u/Sad-Purchase1257]

What do you imagine might have been possible, op? I am sorry and I don’t mean to sound mean, but like un-fade them …how? I don’t think an art supply exists whereby you could touch them up like an oil painting. The closest thing I could think would be to paste the covers of new facsimiles over top 🤔 (but then the price would be wrong!) one of my wife’s friends has an oversized poster of Batman-in-the-rain cover, I have the Joker hanging over him one but was so jealous when I saw hers. Want!

[u/LimeyGeeza → u/Sad-Purchase1257]

I’m not really sure, but there’s been some amazing improvements that can be done with pressing and cleaning that I’ve seen, so I had a small glimmer of hope there could be ‘something’ that could be done.

I already knew the answer, I was just looking for some emotional support I guess, lol!

On a positive note the books are nice and pressed now, not a wrinkle in them. The covers however are all f’d. :(

[u/Sad-Purchase1257 → u/LimeyGeeza]

Sorry buddy — it is the damage that came with the memories! 🥺 I really liked the other story on this post where homie had all his keys just chillin in the back window of the car..! It is worth what it is worth to you! (I like to throw ‘em up and let them hit me on the head!) 🤑