SignChef

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Sign Maintenance

Sign Maintenance

Recipe for Effective Signage

NOTICEABLE (or it won't get read)
READABLE (or it won't communicate)
ATTRACTIVE (or it won't make a positive impression)
VALUE/BENEFIT for VIEWER (or it won't motivate)

Banner Hanging & Storage Instructions

Banners are efficient, portable, and effective advertising. They will last for years when properly used and stored. Here are a few simple recommendations:

Keep stored banners rolled with the graphic side out around a cardboard tube to prevent crushing and in plastic to keep clean.
Never fold a banner.
Hang a banner tight during the warm part of the day to allow for maximum expansion. This way the banner will get tighter when it cools off.
When hanging a banner with ropes, tie the top corner straight out and tight from the sides and the bottom corners at about 15 degrees down from the horizontal line with a slight amount of play in the rope. This will allow the banner to dump air out the bottom and prevent undue wind load.
A properly constructed banner rarely needs wind slits. Wind slits can actually weaken the structure of the banner and will ruin its appearance. Only consistently high wind situations or very large banners suspended between poles or over a street require wind slits and heavier weight materials should be specified. Wind slits are cut in a smile shape so the slits will automatically close when the wind drops. Cuts should be done around, not through graphics.
Avoid storing banners in hot vehicles, especially if not rolled properly as described in instruction #1 above.
Banners requiring multiple use or long term outdoor exposure are best decorated with a true high performance cast vinyl with greater flexibility and less tendency to shrink.
Larger banners or high wind load conditions may require a top cable to support the length of the banner from clips to the top grommets. The top tie ropes will keep the banner stretched.
Banners can have the vinyl graphics safely removed and replaced by professionals. This may be more economical when a few changes need to be made. But a complete redo may be less expensive by using a new banner altogether.
Keep banners clean with simple soap and water. Rubbing alcohol can also be used. Do not use ammoniated products or cleaners containing strong solvents or silicone.

Magnetic Sign Maintenance

Magnetic signs will last for years with simple maintenance and monitoring. Here are our recommendations:

At least once a week or every time you clean your windshield, clean your signs front and back to prevent dirt buildup. Dry them before replacing on vehicle.
Keep the vehicle clean and polished; polish both sides of the sign with the same wax or polish you use on the vehicle. We recommend Maguiar's#20 or Simonize Poly-sealant.
Do not overlap the sign on body trim, abrupt body contours, door handles, mirrors, etc.
Test the vehicle surface for magnetic attraction. The signs do not adhere to fiberglass, composites, aluminum, or body filler. Even new cars may have been repaired with fillers.
Store sign by rolling and keep in cardboard tube. Or lay flat on smooth surface such as refrigerator or file cabinet. Do not leave laying out on a seat or in a hot car or the magnetic vinyl will distort.
Regularly monitor your signs to verify they've not been tampered with or re-positioned incorrectly. Passersby sometimes like to play (oooh look Mommy!) with the big magnet!

Vehicle Graphic Maintenance

Vehicle graphics will last for several years when a few simple maintenance procedures are followed:

Keep clean with soap and water.
Do not use ammoniated cleaners, chlorinated solvents, abrasives,or silicone containing cleaners or polishes.
SignChef recommends periodic (3 times a year is good) polishing of vehicle and graphics. Meguiars #20 or Simonize Polysealant are good products to use.
Avoid wax build-up along edge of graphics by buffing the edges with your finger wrapped in a terry cloth towel.
Wax build-up can be simply removed by brushing with a soft detail brush, such as a chopped off paint brush, or a tooth brush.
Vehicle graphics can be safely removed by a professional without damage to the automotive surface. It is very important to keep the vehicle surface well maintained in order to minimize environmental effects on the paint which may be made noticeable when the graphics have been removed. Properly prepped, installed, and removed graphics cannot hurt a properly painted vehicle surface.
Allow 24-48 hours before pressure washing newly installed graphics.
Fresh paint needs to be fully cured before applying graphics. This period of time is determined by the paint, paint method, and environmental conditions. Seven to ten days is a good rule of thumb. If the paint no longer smells like paint, it is probably safe to install the graphics.
Small ''acne-like'' bubbles present in vinyl graphics immediately after installation usually indicate static conditions. They will dissipate within a few days.
Bubbles that appear days or weeks after installation indicate outgassing of solvents from the paint and must be dealt with by a professional.

Signs and Graphics of all kinds:

Banners

Vehicles

Boats

Yard

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