Some advice on a lit can sign

[ProWraps]

we leased this 14'x4.5' lit can sign and its time to take posession of it. it appears to be somewhere around 11'-14' off the ground.

my question is would you use ladder jacks and walk board to remove and install the translucent vinyl, or would you pull the face out and do the work on the ground level.

if it makes a difference, we will be changing this sign at least once a month.

thanks for your suggestions.
-chris

 

[Circleville Signs]

Something that size, I would pull the face - just for ease of vinyl removal.

Gary

 

[mark in tx]

If you are changing it once a month, you might want to convert it to flex face.
No stripping, cleaning and application.

Just print, tension the frame and install.

 

[Pat Whatley]

Solid faces I'd pull and do at ground level. If you're going to be changing them out that often you might want to look at picking up an extra set of faces. You can letter them at the shop, go swap them out, and then you've got a month to work in stripping and relettering the others during a slow period.

Flex faces I'd do in the cabinet and probably bitch about it the whole time.

 

[ProWraps]

all great advice. i was heavily leaning toward the ground level change out. ladders/boards are not my forte. i will just need to see how the face is in the can (us wrappers dont deal with this too much). i also like pats idea of multiple faces. im going to look into that.

any suggestions of what is normal thickness for the frosted acrylic so i can call my supplier to get a price?

 

[Billct2]

At that size I'd use lexan and I like the idea of two sets of faces. It may have a hanger bar.
I wonder if a set up like that used in ad cans in train stations and sports arenas would work...A white backer with a clear face and a translucent print would go inbetween?

 

[Circleville Signs]

It's also worth thinking about with a piece that long, breaking into two peices and seaming it. Lexan isn't exactly the most rigid material out there....


Gary

 

[ddarlak]

If you are changing it once a month, you might want to convert it to flex face.
No stripping, cleaning and application.

Just print, tension the frame and install.

is absolutly the way to go, especially if your changing it that much. AND especially if you can print the faces yourself....

not even an option to do it any other way....

flex faces rock!

 

[ProWraps]

can someone point me in the direction of this flex face product? again, im a vehicle wrapper. this is all new to me. TIA.

 

[Mosh]

Will your sign codes make you get a new permit each month. All of the Cities I do work in would.

 

[Gino]

You might want to check with your insurance company and make sure you are covered to do this type of work. If you were doing it once.... maybe take a chance, but if you're gonna routinely be up there..... be safe and not sorry.

Not just for you or your employees, but for pedestrians and other things that might be nearby that could be ruined if you do something wrong... like drop a screw driver or a wrench.....

 

[Shovelhead]

SignComp retro fit flex-face retainer.

 

[ddarlak]

your insurance company will always cover you first out of coverage whoops.... good luck getting another policy though...

then again, i live in new york, where almost every type of insurance policy has a 1 million dollar liability attachment of some sort...

as far as flex face, i have use the retro fit retainer system from sign comp. to change a light box into a flex facer, it worked fantastic.

 

[ProWraps]

well to follow up on this. we ended up doing the sign with scaffolding. i really wanted to do what many suggested and remove the face. but the sign actually turned out to be 18' long, not 14' (220"x52"). the face was one peice and good god it was flimsy. i dont even know how you would get this thing down. i think you would have to boom truck it with a sling or something.

anyhoo, here is the finished product. i dont think we are going to be changing it as much as we hoped as it was a PITA:

http://twitpic.com/pjlfw

 

[ddarlak]

i'm telling ya, go flex face

take that face out ~ it would make an awesome table top!

 

[ProWraps]

yeah i clicked on that link you sent me, but i didnt understand what i was looking at (again, wrap guy.. heh). it sounds much easier though.