Do shell tops have to be sealed?

[Sassenach]

I have my first nice looking shell top and I was just wondering if I needed to seal it with anything to protect it from chlorine? It's got netting, orange lionpaws, smaller shells, costume pearls, and the maker put on one little piece of coral. I'm worried chlorine will eat away at or bleach the colors. Any ideas?

[SeaMonkey]

it will deff eat the pearl finish off fake pearls and bleach colors

[Winged Mermaid]

Shells don't need to be sealed, I've never found a problem with it bleaching shell colors over time. If you paint shells they may need to be sealed with resin for extra protection (mostly scraping the shells against the bottom) but so far I've never heard of anyone having an issue with it. But if you spend a really long time painting a nice gradient or something on the shells it may be worth the extra effort just to be sure.

It will fade the color of the netting over time, but nothing serious. The fake plants get it the most, but if they're the plastic type it's not much.

It can take the finish of certian fake pearls, but I've only had that happen with some really cheapo ones (they came off of a pearl garland when it got wet and so I wanted to reuse them). Typically if they can stand up to the gluing process they're fine. If you notice it coming off when you get glue on it don't use them. You can always check by rubbing one a little with rubbing alcohol. If it stays on it should stay on fine in the water. I've never had an issue beyond the ones I mentioned above, and pearls on my hair clips and tops n' stuff get a loooot of abuse!

[Sassenach]

Awesome response, thanks Iona!