Is there a way to keep paint from chipping off?

First of all, this is a rare killer piece. Congrats. I don't think I have ever seen one in pristine condition. I've seen worse. The best way to arrest the future loss of paint on this one is to put it in a small Riker mount perhaps w/ some plastic wrap between the DI and the glass. 

 

In the old days, it was suggested to use varnish or shellac, but they both discolor after time. 

 

Maybe another way is to spray a clear coat, but I wouldn't even try that. Don't know how today's coatings would react w/ the paint. 

 

You should move this one to the DI Reference section.  

 

 

Gorgeous DI Ilin1979!

 

Personally I would not apply any sort of coating to it or wrap it in plastic wrap.

 

Your profile states you live on Staten Island. I suggest you call The Metropolitan Museum of Art and see what they suggest

 

 

 

Thanks to everyone, my first thought was just try to handle it as less as possible. 

On 4/7/2023 at 5:20 PM, Ilin1979 said:

Thanks to everyone, my first thought was just try to handle it as less as possible. 

Yes.  And as Dave advised, don’t let the glass of a riker mount touch it.  Will bond and additional paint will pull off.   And don’t let some art museum expert try to conserve it.  The condition is quite acceptable just as-is.   Restored insignia looks “restored”.