I have an basketball hoop. I want to put an u.s. flag on the backboard. It is facing the south and the colors faded away. Is there any kind of stuff that you can put on so the colors don't fade? It is on a platic back board. The surface is a little rough. I put tape over it but it still faded away. Any ideas? Thx.

You need to go to the hardware store and ask for non-fading paint. Then paint your picture, let it dry for at least a week.

There is a substance called "polyurethane" or other similar substances at hardware stores. You need to make sure the painted surface below is very dry before applying. Then paint a coat of this substance over the picture. Let it dry for about a day, then apply a second coat and let dry another couple days before using... I'd say at least a week.

Doug:

I might suggest, since your backboard is plastic, that you first paint the entire surface with a product called Kilz®. This prepares surfaces, that don't normally hold paint (tile, plastic, etc.), to accept it.

I used it successfully on some white melamine (Formica® covered) furniture I have. Once the Kilz® has dried, paint your American flag and cover it with the polyeurathane that Sher suggested.

You can find Kilz® anywhere you find paint - I purchased mine at Home Depot.

While Kilz is primarily a stain killer (preventing stains and old paint color from bleeding throught a newer, lighter color), it is also a wonderful primer. I think that the polyeurathane suggested will eventually turn yellow in the direct sunlight, however. Ask someone in the paint department when you buy the Kilz. You could also ask in Home Improvement of Home Construction in the Home & Garden section of AnswerPool.

It is not a direct picture of an u.s. flag it is an "sitcker" of one. Would Kilz,etc protect it the same way? Please reply. Thx.

Doug:

No. Kilz® is strictly a primer. You'd need to use it underneath the decal you're planning on using so it will accept whatever clear finish you decide to use...however, I don't know that you'd have very good luck with applying a clear finish over the decal. It would depend on what the decal is made of. I haven't looked, but you may be able to find some sort of non-yellowing, UV resistant clear finish...ask someone at Home Depot if there is such a thing.