Conservation Grade UV Protection

Leading authorities on preservation recommend using glazing that blocks at least 97% UV light.* Tru Vue conservation grade glazing products surpass
this standard in providing up to 99% UV protection, the maximum level of protection available in the industry.

What factors cause damage to art, photographs and other personal keepsakes?

• Indoor and outdoor UV light rays contribute to irreversible damage. Colors may fade and shift and the materials that make up the piece may become brittle or yellow.
• UV protection reduces fading and other damage caused by UV light over time.
• All light, not just UV light can be damaging. Heat, pollution, moisture, the materials that make up the piece, as well as poor quality framing materials, are all contributing factors.

How can you help your customers protect their framed pieces?

• Help your customers preserve their framed pieces by selecting materials that meet conservation framing standards.
• Recommend glazing with at least 97% UV protection to reduce the damaging effects of UV light.*
• Educate your customers on the factors that cause damage.
• Recommend displaying their framed pieces in a well controlled lighting environment.

_{*The International Organization for Standardization recommends using glazing that blocks at least 97% of UV energy. Image Permanence Institute Consumer Guide to Materials for Preservation Framing and Display of Images©2010, ISO 18902 Report ©2007}

• Available in 3.0mm, 4.5mm, and 6.0mm thickness
• Anti-reflective coating optimizes the appearance while significantly reducing distracting reflections to less than 1.6% at a 90 degree angle.
• Anti-static protection that actually exceeds glass and dissipates 2000 times more static than regular acrylic, making it safe for friable materials and minimizing cleaning.
• Abrasion resistant glazing offers 20x more protection than regular acrylic and resists minor scratches associated with frequent cleaning like anti-reflective glass. Can be re-used for traveling and temporary exhibits
• Maximum UV protection filters up to 99% of damaging 300-380 nm UV rays so you can display sensitive objects.
• Lightweight – 50% lighter than glass. Perfect for large items and display cases.
• Gauges up to 4.5 mm can be cut like regular acrylic
• Cleans like Tru Vue glass products, with ammonia-free cleaner.
• Shatter-resistant, thermal insulating, and anti-static properties provide a secure and protected environment.
• Click on Optium Spec Sheet below for more information. Optium_Fact Sheet.pdf

Handling 

• Cotton or nitrile rubber gloves should be worn to minimize finger-prints and other particles.
• Optium Acrylic® products are covered with a protective film masking on each surface. This masking prevents scratching during handling and cutting and should be left in place on the sheet as long as possible
• To remove the masking, start at one corner and pull towards the opposite side of the sheet slowly and evenly without stopping.
• The masking should never be exposed to excessive sunlight or outdoor conditions for extended periods of time.

Framing Practices for 40”x60” and larger

• To prevent bowing, twisting, and/or warping during framing, provide reinforcing support of the acrylic sheet during framing.

Cleaning 

• Place the acrylic on a clean, non-abrasive surface for cleaning.
• Use a clean, soft, lint-free or micro-fiber cloth to clean.
• Do not use coarse or abrasive cleaning agents or dirty cloths.
• Spray an ammonia-free cleaner onto the cloth and wipe the acrylic.
• Never spray cleaner directly on the acrylic.
• Do not use an acrylic cleaner (i.e., Brillianize) on this product.
• Do not buff scratches in this product as it may damage the anti-reflective coating.
• Abrasion-resistant properties prevent mild scratching, but not deep scratches. Cuts by hard objects cannot be repaired.

Cutting

3.0mm or 4.5mm Optium Museum Acrylic® and 3mm Optium Acrylic®

• Place Optium on a clean, dust-free work area.
• Cover the work table with a soft, clean, lint-free felt.
• Use a Multi-Material cutter “scribe and break” method.

6.0mm Optium Museum Acrylic

• Fabricate using a power saw with a saw blade specifically designed to cut acrylic. Contact us for saw blade recommendations.
• Optium Acrylic Glazing should NOT be cut with a laser. The extreme heat can cause crazing, which may lead to delamination of the coating.

Storing Optium 

• Avoid storing in areas where condensation might occur.
• Use 2-ply rag board or pH neutral paper for interleaf during short-term storage.
• Stack sheets horizontally with the larger sheets at the bottom, or lean acrylic sheets at an angle of approximately 10 degrees to prevent bowing.
• Allow 24 hours for climatizing before exhibiting. Condensation will leave water spots on the anti-reflective coating.
• The masking should never be exposed to excessive sunlight or outdoor conditions for extended periods of time.
• Although Optium does not require a climate controlled environment for long-term storage, we recommend removing any protective film masking and use pH neutral paper to separate the parts.
• Optium is not effected by standard museum environments or normal warehouse temperatures, and can withstand extreme temperatures of minus 30 degrees F (-34 degrees C) to 160 degrees F (71 degrees C).
• If storing framed pieces, please note that Optium expands and contracts, so allow for size variation in frame systems.
• Avoid shipping framed pieces horizontally as expansion/contraction of the sheet may cause vibration or rubbing against the surface of the artwork.