Graded slabs and UV issues?
 

Does anyone have any legit horror stories of PSA or SGC graded cards getting really damaged by light / UV rays?

I've long been intrigued by the fact that some of the supply companies like Ultra Pro and Pro-Mold market mag cases and other products in some instances with UV protection. But the top graders, PSA, SGC, and Beckett have never to my knowledge even addressed the issue of UV coatings. My guess as to why would be because any type of UV film or coating that is added to a hard plastic - and you usually seem to get at least some type of light residue. For example the UP One Touch mag cases look super clear most of the time. But if you hold them at an angle in the light, you can usually see some smear of something - which I am guessing is the result of the UV block application, or however they do it.

I guess my overall question here, is this actually a big deal? I know that UV-C rays cannot penetrate most plastics, but that UV-A and B can. One SGC slab with no advertised UV protection recently just sold for north of 12 million dollars. Is this something to be concerned about at all if I'm not just leaving super valuable slabs in my windowsills facing west every afternoon?

As somewhat of a card supplies OCD candidate, my mind wanders in such directions sometimes. I recently just ordered a product called "UVBLOC" PSA graded card sleeves - in the hopes that if it cannot do any actual good, it can maybe still calm my paranoia some when I inadvertently leave a nice Mantle slab on my desk with a lamp on in the corner of the room some days. Discussion? Thanks.

Most of my graded items are in storage containers, with no access to the light, unless I take them out to play with them a bit. I’m usually pretty OC about putting them back when I’m done, so there’s little risk of leaving them out for potential exposure.

I do have some large pennzoni display cases on the wall in one room. I actually put a layer of UV protective film on the plastic, just to avoid the possibility of sun sneaking through the windows and fading them over a few decades.

For a handful of large graded items that I have leaned on top of the display cases, I actually put a layer of the UV film right on top of the graded case. I figure I can always pull it off pretty easily. If absolutely necessary, since there are only a handful that I treated right on the slab, I could always get them re-holdered without having to spend a king’s ransom.

It would depend on which plastic the slab is made of.

Polycarbonate- Lexan blocks most UV.

Acrylic- I think does not really block much unless it's specifically manufactured to do that.

https://www.palram.com/blog/construc...ted%20through.

https://www.acplasticsinc.com/inform...v-transmitting

I'd think that if the slabs were made from a UV blocking plastic the grading companies would advertise that.
But then, I think they ought to do lots of things they don't do.

Anyone have faded cards in holders that weren't faded when they went into the holders? That should clear it up. ;)

A good Read

https://www.canada.ca/en/conservatio...seums.html#a8f

I think the government of Canada should come personally inspect the lighting setup in my card room.

On a less serious note, my UVBloc slab sleeves arrived today. They seem nice, and though I can’t find a spec sheet or anything on the UV specifics - I’m currently doing a sunlight test with some lower grade ‘63 Topps commons in my office window. We’ll see what they look like after a few weeks, in and out of the sleeves.


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UV can reek havoc on collectibles. Its very subtle and takes a LOOONG time. Over the course of 10 years, north facing window behind supposed UV glass. However, once you notice holy s%*#$ does it make you wish you'd have taken better precautions.

EDIT: I should add the pictures obviously are not the same card - I just bought another one because the other had faded so much. The color difference is what I was trying to show. I have several examples of this. Unfortunately. All my cards are in drawers or boxes now as a result.

Beckett slabs did offer some UV protection if I remember correctly. I've got a small, 12x12 collectibles room. I display cards both graded & ungraded. Comics both graded & ungraded. One small window, but it's got the darkest possible UV film. No LED lighting. One traditional overhead light, rarely used. One vintage UNC helmet lamp gets the job done. Rotate displays. Never a problem going on 12 years now. Well, I did knock a PSA 9 Eric Dickerson rookie off my wall display it landed in the worst way. Suffice to say there's 1 less PSA 9 on the pop report and I learned to stay alert always :rolleyes::D

It's a matter of lots of long duration of direct bright light. I don't know how many people are displaying their graded cards in direct sunlight all day, day in and day out. There are many UV-protectant products if needed.

Last time I checked, graded card holders are not entirely UV-protectant, but they should be.

I recommend Eclipse Blackout Curtains as well for anyone who wants to cover windows.