Your sign is like a silent salesperson. It works for you all day and night. When it is messy or broken, your whole business looks messy. A lot of business owners spend large amounts of money on custom 3D signs, but tend to forget about looking after them.
If you are reading this, you might be worried about your sign. Maybe your sign looks a bit old, or one of your 3D fabricated letters stops lighting. The good news is: sign maintenance is not complex. It simply needs to be done regularly.
This guide will show you exactly how to keep your sign looking brand new for years.
Key Points
- Refreshing your signage or updating it can increase your sales.
- Never use ammonia or glass cleaner to clean plastic letters; soap and warm water are best.
- The number one reason lights fail is water getting inside, so watch for cracks in the silicone.
- Try to inspect and clean your sign every six months so you can avoid expensive repairs.
Why Cleaning Your Sign Makes You Money
Before talking about cleaning, we need to understand why this is important. This not only matters for making your sign pretty but also greatly impacts your sales.
Adding or updating signs can help businesses sell more. Another study showed that with enhanced signage, the sales of businesses increased by approximately 10%. Good signage helps customers locate a business more easily and encourages them to purchase more.
Think about that for a second: just keeping your sign looking fresh can help you sell more.
Your sign fights a battle every single day. The sun is very strong in Australia. Rain leaves dirty marks. City pollution creates a layer of grime. And if you ignore these issues, you aren’t just facing a cleaning bill later on. You might have to buy a whole new sign.
What causes 3D letter signs to become less appealing?
Several things can ruin the look of your sign:
- Oxidation: It is like rust. It makes metal letters look chalky.
- Bird Droppings: These are very acidic. If you leave them on the sign, they can burn permanent marks into the surface.
- Electrical Issues: Water getting inside can break the lights.
- UV Damage: The sun causes plastic to turn yellow and vinyl to crack.
Know About the Material of Your Sign
Not all signs are same. How you clean your sign depends on what it is made of.
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Metal Letters
Stainless steel and aluminium are tough materials. But here’s the thing: they are not bulletproof. If your business is anywhere near the beach, watch out. The salty air will attack your fabricated sign letters. You will start seeing rust spots on the surface.
Most aluminium letters come with powder coating. Think of it as a super-strong type of paint. It’s durable, sure. But dirt still builds up on it. Over time, that dirt makes your shiny letters look dull and grimy.
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Acrylic and Plastic
Do 3D acrylic letters require special maintenance? Yes, absolutely.
Here’s what you need to know. Acrylic is a type of plastic. It is softer than glass. So if you grab a dry paper towel or rough cloth and wipe it, you are actually scratching it. You might not see it at first.
But those tiny scratches add up. Over weeks and months, they make your sign look foggy and cloudy. Not the look you want. The solution? Treat acrylic gently. Always use soft cloths. Always use proper cleaning solutions. That’s how you keep them looking clear and shiny.
The Simple Maintenance Guide
Here is a simple step-by-step guide on how to clean your sign without damaging your 3D fabricated letters.
1. Washing Rule: Best Way to Clean 3D Fabricated Letters
The most important rule is to be gentle.
- The Solution: Mix some warm water with a little mild dish soap. Don’t use strong chemicals such as Windex, methylated spirits, or anything containing ammonia on an acrylic. These chemicals will crack your acrylic. Seriously. They’ll ruin it.
- The Cloth: Always use a soft microfiber cloth. Do not use sponges, scrubbing brushes or paper towels. They are very rough.
- The Method: Gently wipe the letters in a circular motion. Rinse them well with clean water. You do not want soap to dry on the sign.
2. Check the Lights
If you have 3D lettering signs that light up, the first thing that usually breaks is the lighting. Check your sign at night. Is the light even? Are there dark spots?
LED lights are extremely long-lived, up to 100,000 hours. However, usually the power box, or transformer, breaks before the bulbs do. If a whole sign goes dark, it is more likely a power problem, not a broken bulb.
3. Weather Conditions
Can 3D letters stand up to the weather? Yes, they are built for the outdoors. But you will still need to check them.
Care for 3D letter signs for outdoors: Check the bolts and screws. Over time, strong winds can loosen them. Also, check the silicone seals around the letters. When the seal cracks, water gets inside and causes the growth of green algae or short circuits to the electricity.
4. Repairing vs. Replacing
Sometimes, a simple cleaning is not enough. How do you restore faded 3D signage letters?
- Polishing: If the letters made of metal appear a bit dull, there is a special metal polish that can make them shine again.
- Repainting: In order to repaint or refurbish 3D letter signs, one should sand down the old paint, using a primer made for that material. If the material is cracked or deeply damaged, replacing it is safer.
Sometimes, people go online searching for 3D fabric letters. Maybe they have textured materials or certain finishes in mind. Even with a sign having a special texture, the aim remains constant: cleaning it gently.
Proper Routine is Key
You might be asking, “How often should 3D letter signs be serviced?
For most businesses, a deep clean and check-up every six months is perfect. If your business is near a busy highway, factory, or the beach (salt spray), you should try to clean it every three months.
Making Your Sign Look Better
How can I make my 3D letter signage more visible or striking?
- Add Halo Lighting: If your letters don’t light up, ask a professional about putting lights behind them. This creates a glowing “halo” effect on the wall. It looks very premium.
- Clean the Wall: Often the fabricated letters are fine, but behind them the wall is dirty. Pressure washing the building wall can make the sign look brand new again because of the improved contrast.
Choosing the Right Help
You can rinse the dust off yourself. But handling electrical parts or climbing tall ladders is dangerous. Hiring a professional ensures that the correct cleaning products are used. It also ensures your sign is safe and won’t fall down.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can a high-pressure washer be safely used on my 3D sign?
No, high pressure should be avoided. It may forcibly push water into electrical parts, break plastic faces, or even blow paint right off the metal. A low-pressure “soft wash” is much safer and works equally well.
2. Can I wax my 3D letters for protection?
Yes, a good car wax will protect against the sun for glossy metals or painted finishes. But do not attempt to wax matte finishes or plain plastic without consulting an expert.
3. My sign is flickering; is this dangerous?
It can be. Generally, a flickering sign means either there’s a wire loose or a power unit is dying. This may lead to overheating. You should immediately turn the sign off and get it repaired.
4. Will cleaning my sign void the warranty?
It might, if you use the wrong chemicals. Harsh solvents used on plastic will void your warranty in most cases. Always consult your manual or check with your sign company before using strong cleaners.
5. How long should outdoor 3D letters last?
Good-quality metal letters will last 15 years or more if you look after them. Acrylic plastic faces will usually last 7 to 10 years before the Australian sun starts making them yellow or brittle.
Conclusion
Your signage is the face of your business. You wouldn’t go to a client meeting wearing a dirty, stained shirt. So don’t let your building greet customers with a dirty sign. Maintaining your 3D letters makes them last longer and protects your brand’s reputation.
Whether you need a completely new sign or just advice on how to keep your present one fresh, you want a partner who knows the local climate. Contact 3D Signs in Melbourne today for expert advice, installation tips, and maintenance advice.
