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How to Preserve a Signed Basketball

Preserving a signed basketball is a process that requires proper placement and continued upkeep. You must always remember that ink can rub off or wear off. Sunlight and rubbing are the two primary worries for any collector of signed basketballs. Rubbing can be controlled by eliminating contact with the ball; sunlight is the main threat. Controlling this requires careful selection of where to place the ball to avoid both sunlight and glare from the trophy case.

Things You'll Need

Room with controlled sunlight exposure
Plastic or glass case
Display stand
Latex or winter gloves
Dry cloth or dry dust sheets

Instructions

Storage Location
- 1
  Select a room that has limited exposure to air conditioning and space heaters.
- 2
  Monitor the sunlight in the room to be sure that it is not excessive and does not raise the temperature too much. UV rays are harmful because they cause burning and aging. That burning can dry out the ink and cause it to fade away.
- 3
  Select the area of the room that receives the least amount of sunlight when deciding where to store your basketball.
Displaying the Ball
- 4
  Place the basketball on a display stand so it is balanced with the autograph facing out. This stand comes in different styles, but one reliable model will resemble a Christmas tree stand.
- 5
  Cover the ball with the display case.
- 6
  With the ball in place, check to make sure that there is not significant glare and that the glare is not on the autograph.
Cleaning the Basketball
- 7
  Remove the display case and take the basketball off the stand, being careful not to make contact with the autographed section.
- 8
  Put on a pair of latex or winter gloves before you dust the ball to avoid sweat or oil getting on the ball.
- 9
  Use a dry cloth or dry duster cloth made for floors when cleaning the ball. Lightly move the cloth around, being very careful when cleaning the autographed section.

Collecting Memorabilia