LONDON SIGNWRITER: Care of Signage

When you invest in signage, it’s to promote your business by showing an audience a brief image of who you are and what you’re about. Maintaining a sign not only ensures its longevity, but it also leaves a positive impression in the mind of current and potential customers. It shows how serious you are about your business and that you care about your brand. Don’t underestimate the importance of a clean and well-cared for sign.

Here are some do’s and don’ts of sign maintenance!

Interior Signs

Several examples of interior signs include lobby signs, directories, window and wall graphics, front desk signs and wayfinding signs. Typically, these signs are made of acrylic, resin and vinyl. Some do’s and don’ts for maintaining interior signs:

Do’s

  • Dust and clean your sign seasonally. At least 4 times a year, set aside some time to clean off dirt and debris from the sign.
  • Use a damp cleaning cloth, not a soaking wet one to prevent deterioration while cleaning.
  • Ensure that you’re using a non-abrasive cotton cloth or duster to remove dust or wipe down signs.
  • Use only a mild soap mixture. An example of cleansers you can use are detergents like Dawn or Palmolive, diluted in warm water to wipe down residue.
  • Clean one section at a time.
  • Blot the detergent away with a soft fabric.
  • Clean your sign more if your office is located in a humid area.

Don’ts

  • Air dry or leave moisture on the sign.
  • Scrub areas with letters, numbers, symbols or braille.
  • Use rubbing alcohol or industrial cleaning cleansers.
  • Use scrub brushes.
  • Scrub hard, especially with paper towels or abrasive rags.
  • Over-use detergent.

Glass Gilding – No Rubber Blades please!! NOT EVER!

  • Ensure that you’re using a non-abrasive cotton cloth or duster to remove dust or wipe down signs.

  • Use only a mild soap mixture. Use a nib of vinegar, diluted in warm water to wipe down residue.

  • Clean one section at a time.

  • Blot any excess away with a soft fabric.

  • Clean your sign more if your office is located in a humid area

    • Exterior Signage

    Some do’s and don’ts for maintaining exterior signs:

    Do’s

    Wash once every season, meaning at least 4 times per year.

    Use clean water and car shampoo. Car shampoo contains a protective wax which is used on some of these materials. Consult your sign experts to learn more.

    Ensure that you thoroughly read detergent ingredients before use and ensure that this won’t damage your sign.

    Proceed with caution when cleaning painted letters and other raised surfaces. Contact us if needed.

    Don’ts

    Use abrasive clothes, sponges, brushes, paper towels or cleansers.

    Use cleaning cloths that you previously used on other surfaces. You will risk causing an unintended chemical reaction.

    Pressure wash or steam clean signs.