Ideas to Protect Ammo Boxes

[local2fed]

I collect old / odd ammo in the boxes. I have them sitting out on display, but really looking for a way to better protect them. I thought of shrink wrapping each individual box but not sure if that would stick to the cardboard over time. Maintaining the cardboard in as pristine shape as possible is the ultimate goal while keeping the box from getting dry rot. Thoughts?

 

[flyboy]

In my opinion, and I may be incorrect, my thought is that shrink wrapping them would cause the plastic to attach to the boxes. I am thinking vacum sealing the boxes would be a better idea.

 

[davidd]

I have a vacuum sealer for food. It REALLY compresses the contents in the bag. I'd be surprised if you could vacuum seal cardboard without at least slightly crushing it. Practice on some later day boxes you don't mind crushing until to figure out if it's possible or what settings to use.

 

[falshooter]

Never mind..

 

[340six]

Since you said displaying them you could get the clear plastic boxes they sell for model cars and such and place them inside.

 

[Old School]

Get some shrink wrap, that should work for you.

 

[buttanic]

Spray them with Rustoleum clear acrylic

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Rust-Ol...ar-Matte-Spray-Paint-342561/307244896#overlay

 

[drill sgt]

Zip lock style sandwich bags. Cheap / simple / re-sealable. .................................... drill sgt.

 

[Stonehenge]

Cut some wood blocks to put inside of them, then vacuum seal. If the blocks fit good enough they wont be crushed.

 

[RaleighReloader]

My general recommendation is to not shrink wrap paper or cardboard items in plastic. There are some exceptions to that ... but most plastics are not archival-grade, and will actually cause the paper to deteriorate over time. This is especially true for adhesive tapes and lamination plastics ... the process of baking plastic over paper will almost guarantee its demise.

Archival-grade plastics are available (Gaylord Archival Supply is probably the best supplier of this), but these can be costly.

Mike

 

[Core]

I collect old / odd ammo in the boxes. I have them sitting out on display, but really looking for a way to better protect them. I thought of shrink wrapping each individual box but not sure if that would stick to the cardboard over time. Maintaining the cardboard in as pristine shape as possible is the ultimate goal while keeping the box from getting dry rot. Thoughts?

Never use plastic wrap or bags. Your best best is to place your collection in a humidity controlled cabinet: you can adjust the levels so you don't dry the boxes. A cigar unit might be too humid for the cartridges: not sure but you'll have to do the research to get the correct humidity levels. The boxes should probably be shelved unstacked so the weight does not damage the cardboard. You can use vapor corrosion inhibiters in the cabinet. They emit vapors that coat the metallic surfaces and are recommended for cartridge storage. Renwax may work to provide additional protection to the exterior of the cardboard boxes but do your research before using it and how to apply it. As someone mentioned a clear coating might protect the box but it can also degrade its value if the coating breaks down over time. If your cabinet have glass windows or doors keep far from natural sunlight and consider applying UV blocking film to the glass made by 3M. Clean glass and stabilized cardboard provide good surfaces to store the boxes on.