Hey guys. I've been wondering how to better protect the surface of my LF ultrachrome prints so I can display them without glass. The problem with ultrachromes is that while the inks are pigmented and last along time behind glass, the paper absorbs atmospheric pollutants at an incredible rate if it is exposed to the air. After only a couple of weeks on the wall of a bar (as a test), the paper changes from white to a terrible dark yellow. The resin surface of the paper picks up and holds smoke like glue.

So I had the idea of coating the prints with rennaisance wax; apparently this is sometimes done with B&W prints. Does anyone have any experience with this stuff? I'd love some tips on how to apply it, whether it is more difficult with large prints (40x50"), how to prevent visible whorls in the wax from where it was rubbed, how it looks when it's done (i.e., shiny or matte or whatever) and any other issues.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts you can offer.

~cj

www.chrisjordan.com