I picked up my new Clubman yesterday and as I posted on another thread with photos, to my amazement and surprise, the people that built the car at the Oxford plant all signed the underneath of the hood with what looks like a black sharpie. This is a real special part of the car and I want to do what I can to protect it from the heat and other elements under the hood. Should I have it clear-coated? Any suggestions on how to keep this special part of the car from deteriorating or fading?
Thanks.

 

How to save black marker autographs under hood?
https://www.northamericanmotoring.com...32#post2159732

see this thread for pictures

 

hmmmm i wonder why they did that to yours in particular... you should research your vin and find out what number it is off the line or if there's any special significance like first to go to the US or something.

 

Clear-coating it would help. You could also affix some heat-reflective material over the signatures (keep the adhesive off of the actual signatures, obviously).

Black permanent marker is pretty durable, though. Depending on what part of the engine is right below the signatures with the hood closed, you might find you don't have to do anything at all.

 

Thank you.

 

It was a special surprise for a special time in my life, that my wife arranged for and surprised me with.

 

Yes, that's extremely cool. The only "extra" I got under my hood was an extra VIN number on the shock tower (still kind of rare, though):

 

Personally, with whatever you choose to cover/coat them with, I would do a little test on one of the signatures. You never know how two compounds are going to react with one another. I would hate to see all of the ink start to run or smear or dissolve.

I once got some Sharpie ink on some fabric, and for some reason decided to use acetone to try to remove it. It dissipated the ink, turning a half-inch square of stain into one giant blotch about 8 inches in diameter. So test first.

Congrats, btw, on your unique mod.

Steven

 

Thanks!

 

I'm bummed now. I don't have any signatures under my hood or any double VIN on my shock tower. When I was looking under my hood just now, I checked my oil for the first time just to say I did. When I did, I found out that there is no ordinary dip stick but a spring. I think that is a neato find in itself.

 

Lucky!

 

My dad used to use Scotch-Gard to protect signatures on signed baseballs, gloves, etc. Don't know how well it would apply to this application, but those signatures still look good as new all these years later.

 

Thanks!

Got some Clear high heat engine block paint at the local auto supply shop and put 3 coats over the signatures today. That should work- I hope?