Ghosting on backlit sign face

[psbc2009]

Client brings me 5 4x12 sign faces (acrylic?? not sure) that he wants stripped and new vinyl installed. Major ghosting where old lettering was.
What are my options for using these panels? Can I refinish them or just put one large digital print over entire surface. They are backlit.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions. I attached a couple of pics.

 

[401Graphics]

Hmm not much you can do about that. Looks like its pretty old. Only thing you could do is get a new face or depending on the design, cover the face with a new print using white translucent vinyl. But depending on the design it could still show where the old letters were when lit.

 

[nwsigns]

you can clean, buff and clean and it will help a little but I dont try any more. The cost of labor is offset by the materials and the new face will look better

 

[John L]

I can only tell so much from a pic as far as how bad it is but I would seriously scrub that with "Greased Lightening" available at most auto zones or advance auto parts. Wipe with alcohol and reletter. I've performed some miracles with the stuff.

 

[Craig Sjoquist]

A good washing normally rids it of 90%. but not the yellowing of age but if yellowing it's brittle maybe 20 yrs old .. replace is best.

If they want to save the money and roll the dice, a good washing, a full print will camouflage enough you won't notice 50 ft away much less 10 ft.

 

[psbc2009]

I was thinking full print may cover most of it - but customer only needs lettering on the print so it may not work as well. I am going to try cleaning one of them and see how it goes result/time spent. Not even sure what the cost of new ones is yet, will have to check around.

 

[Moze]

If its polycarbonate, be careful what cleaning solutions you use. Windex and other strong solvents are no-no's.

 

[FS-Keith]

whats wrong with using windex on polycarb?

 

[visual800]

I tell what I do. Take it and wetsand with 800 or 1000 and then buff it out with wool pad. it wont be 100% stark white BUT it will suffice and once graphics are on it you will never know. very good method.

 

[CheapVehicleWrap]

I tell what I do. Take it and wetsand with 800 or 1000 and then buff it out with wool pad. it wont be 100% stark white BUT it will suffice and once graphics are on it you will never know. very good method.

+1

 

[Moze]

whats wrong with using windex on polycarb?

It can cloud or discolor the polycarbonate.

 

[John L]

Maybe Windex with a laquer thinner chaser, but never a Virgin-Windy.

But anyway, PSBC.... Did you get that $7 bottle of Greased Lightening and save that $600 pan face yet?

 

[psbc2009]

Well I planned on it today, but ended up building a new table for my shop.
Small aircraft carrier at 5x14, now I have an area to work on those 4x12 sign faces.

 

[Moze]

Maybe Windex with a laquer thinner chaser, but never a Virgin-Windy.

Not true. The ammonia in the Windex can discolor the polycarbonate, especially if this is an older, weathered face. Will it damage a brand new sheet if sprayed on and wiped off quickly? Probably not.

I'm not trying to be argumentative, but I hate to see him ruin the face any more than it is. There are simply safer methods of cleaning it...there's no reason to take a chance and use something potentially damaging.

 

[FS-Keith]

It can cloud or discolor the polycarbonate.

we clean all our faces after they are installed with some windex and never had a problem

 

[Moze]

I agree - on new polycarbonate, a quick spray-on / wipe-off isn't going to cause any damage. But spraying it on a face that isn't brand new can cause it to cloud.

I probably should have phrased myself better in my initial post. I simply meant that I wouldn't use it on an old face.

He also stated that he doesn't know if it's acrylic or polycarbonate - one more reason I wouldn't use Windex. If it is acrylic, he'll know real quick after spraying the Windex on it.

 

[John L]

Moze.. Not that it matters here, cause Windex won't take that yellow off for the OP anyway. But have you ever damaged acrylic or polycarb with just Windex? Tell me what exactly happened cause that would be a surprising first for me.

I've persoanally used a bunch of solvents and cleaning chemicals around both types of plastic. Windex has never been a great cleaner but it also has never made plastics any worse than they started.

 

[Moze]

No sir, I haven't personally damaged either with Windex.

 

[Signed Out]

@psbc

How did you end up with this job. We have a very similar job on hand now, 2 ghosted pan face signs. Trying to determine if we should try cleaning or buffing the faces to get rid of the ghosting. And if we can get rid of the ghosting good enough then we will cover with printed translucent.

 

[Craig Sjoquist]

Learned on Plastic of any kind .. plain soap & water only is best, everything else is a risk.

So what happen to this job. Pictures ??

Did ya clean & buff or replace. ???