How do I clean TruVue glass products?

All of TruVue glass products are clean and ready to use out of the box.  If spot cleaning is needed, spray a small amount of ammonia-free glass cleaner such as our Opti-Bright on a micro-fiber cloth or a clean lint-free cotton rag.  To prevent overspray, do not spray the cleaner directly on the glass.  Press the cloth against the glass and clean in a round, circular motions.

Why does TruVue recommend using an ammonia-free glass cleaner?

Cleaning glass products with harsh chemicals such as ammonia can be harmful to your customers’ valued pieces.  Ammonia can cause out-gassing within the framing package.

How can I remove the inkjet printing from the sheet of glass?

The inkjet printing is printed at the very edge of the lite of glass and is small enough to be hidden by the rebate of the frame.  If you choose to remove the inkjet printing, apply a small amount of acetone (fingernail polish remover) to a cotton swap to wipe the sheet clean.

What type of cutter is recommended for cutting Conservation Grade glass?

Any glass cutter that is used for cutting regular glass may be used.

How do I cut TruVue glass products?

Place a slip sheet or a non-slip mountboard between the glass and the back of the wall cutter.

For TruVue Conservation Grade glass products, including Museum Glass®, Conservation Clear® and Conservation Reflection Control, place the sheet of glass in the wall unit, with the UV coated side towards the wall, facing the slip sheet or mountboard. Do not score the UV coated side.

For UV70® and UV92® you can cut either side of the sheet.

Be sure to keep the glass cutter clean of glass chips by brushing away fragments frequently with a horse hair brush.

How can I tell which side of the Conservation Grade glass has the UV coating? 

The inkjet printing or static cling sticker will indicate which side to score.  The side to be scored is the non UV coated side, so the UV coating is on the opposite side.  For Museum Glass and Conservation Clear the UV coated side is always the side with the inkjet printing or static cling sticker.  For Conservation Reflection Control the UV coating is on the opposite side of the inkjet printing.

The UV coated side will also bead water or glass cleaner more than the non UV side. Using a razor blade you can apply a small light scratch on the edge of the glass which will be hidden by the rebate of the frame. The UV coating will be scratched, the glass will not. Wear gloves while doing this to prevent cuts.

Which side of the Conservation Grade glass should be placed toward the artwork?

It is recommended that the UV coated side of the glass face the artwork. This side can be identified by the inkjet printing, which appears along the edge of the sheet. However, the UV blocking capabilities are in no way diminished by the placement of the sheet. When using Conservation Reflection Control the matt finished side should face out and the non-finished side should face the artwork.

How should glass be handled?

Care should be given when handling glass. To avoid injury, Tru Vue recommends wearing cotton gloves when handling glass.  Avoid dragging the sheets of glass against one another when removing from the box.  Do not slide the sheet of glass into place.  Lift it up to adjust and reposition.

Is all UV filtering glass the same? 

No. There is a distinct difference between UV filtering glazing and glazing that provides UV protection.  According to PPFA Guidelines for Framing Works of Art on Paper, for glazing to be labeled as providing UV protection, it must block at least 97% of the UV light rays in the 300 to 380 nanometer range. 

Tru Vue^® Conservation Grade glass products are the only glass products available in the industry that offer this level of protection.  In providing at least 98% UV protection, Tru Vue Conservation Grade glass products are considered "photo-safe" by meeting ISO 18902 and passing ISO 18902. 

What percentage of UV rays does the coating block?

Tru Vue Conservation Grade glass products, including Museum Glass^®, Conservation Clear^® and Conservation Reflection Control^®, effectively block 99% of all harmful indoor and outdoor UV light rays. 

Is the UV coating permanent?

Yes.  Tru Vue manufactures its Conservation Grade glass products by applying an inorganic silica-based UV inhibiting coating to the glass surface.  The UV coating is “baked” into the glass, producing a permanently bonded coating. Tru Vue Conservation Grade glass products have been field tested for over 20 years and do not delaminate or degrade over time. 

When should UV protection glass be used? 

Since UV light rays come from indoor and outdoor light sources, all items on display are vulnerable to the damaging effects of UV light exposure.  That’s why it is important to use glass with at least 97% UV protection on all of your custom framing jobs.

Conservation framing materials and techniques should always be used on sentimental, valuable, limited edition and one-of-a-kind artwork.  Also use UV protection glass on all works of art your customers want to protect, especially posters and open edition prints.  Posters or open edition prints are more susceptible to UV light damage since the inks, papers and other materials used to create them are more likely to deteriorate than those used in higher end reproductions.

Why is UV protection important?

Without at least 97% UV protection framed pieces will age and fade more rapidly.  Indoor and outdoor UV light rays contribute to severe color loss, paper embrittlement and deterioration of framed pieces. These effects are both cumulative and irreversible. The materials that make up the piece, the paper or fabric on which the image is displayed, may become brittle. Photos may appear yellow or stained with ghostly silver deposits rising to the surface. Once damage from light has occurred, it can never be reversed. That’s why it is important to understand what you can do to minimize this type of damage before it happens.

Are there forces other than UV light that can contribute to damage to items on display?

Yes. While it is very important to reduce UV light exposure, this alone will not eliminate fading and other deterioration.  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.  Using conservation framing techniques and materials as well as educating your customer on how to properly display and care for their framed piece will help minimize the risk of damage caused by these factors.

Remind your customers that care should be given when displaying their framed piece to avoid unnecessary exposure to light.  Since some light is required for your customers to enjoy and see their framed pieces, it is all the more important to reduce any damage from UV light, by using glazing with at least 97% UV protection.

How can I help my customers protect their framed pieces?

Help your customers select framing materials that will protect their framed pieces for years to come. Educate your customers on the damaging effects of all light, visible and invisible, and recommend that they select glazing with at least 97% UV protection to reduce the damaging effects of UV light.  Give your customers simple instructions for displaying and caring for their framed piece.  UV protection will not eliminate fading, so your customers should use care when displaying their framed pieces.  Direct light exposure for any duration should be avoided.  Hanging or displaying the piece in a controlled lighting environment with low humidity is recommended. 

Is fluorescent light harmful?

Yes.  All light can be harmful.  While fluorescent lighting can have a higher output in the UV range compared to incandescent lighting, the more important factor is the overall brightness of the light source. To minimize light damage, avoid placing artwork near sunlit windows or bright sources of light.

The windows in my customer’s home have UV coating. Should I still use UV filtering glass?

Yes. Unfortunately, the sun is not the only source of harmful UV light rays. All light sources, whether natural or artificial, have some of their components in the ultraviolet range.