How to make your business signage last longer
Signage is one of the best ways to stand out to your customers. But it’s also a large investment. When you’re spending that kind of money, it’s important to make sure that your business signage lasts as long as possible.
The best way to make your business signage last longer is with regular cleaning and maintenance. This not only makes the signs last longer, they’ll also remain visually appealing, which is crucial in attracting customers.
In this article, we’ll discuss some simple ways you can make your business signage last longer, ensuring your investment is protected for years to come.
Keep signage clean
Cleaning your signs is the easiest way to prolong their lifespan.
Signage that’s nice and clean is a great reflection of your brand. But it’s also a good way to remove build ups of dirt, pollution and liquids. Each of these things can quickly damage your sign and ruin its visual appeal.
Think of it like cleaning your car – if you leave dirt on your car for a long period of time, it can damage the paint and leave the vehicle looking scratched. Business signage is no different. It should be regularly cleaned with warm, soapy water to remove harmful buildups.
If your signs have internal components, they should be disassembled and the inside should be vacuumed to remove dust, debris, cobwebs and other contaminants.
Invest in regular maintenance
Signage made out of natural materials – like timber or steel – requires regular maintenance.
Maintenance requirements vary depending on the material. Timber signs can be protected with fresh paint or oil every 12 months. Signs made out of steel may need a coat of paint to safeguard against corrosion.
You can also extend the life of painted signage by applying a clear coat or a fresh coat of paint at regular intervals. While this can be a big job for some types of business signage, fresh paint is the best protection against UV rays, dirt and rain.
Select high quality materials
Sign fabrication companies often give you a choice of the materials you want to use for your signage. Opting for high quality, hardwearing materials is the best way to get your money’s worth.
Your signage material should also be matched to the application. Materials like plastic and timber have a relatively short lifespan when they’re installed outdoors.
While you’ll pay more upfront, quality materials last substantially longer, and they can make your signs more aesthetically appealing.
Turn on light up signs
Light up signs are a great way to make your business stand out. But they’re often a big investment, and business owners can be tempted to save their money by switching the sign off at the end of each day.
It sounds counterintuitive, but turning your signs off actually shortens the lifespan of the internal components. Switching your signage on and off places strain on electrical components like light bulbs and LED strips.
It’s generally better to leave your sign running 24/7. If you’re worried about power consumption, you should consider a sign that uses LED technology.
Check for corrosion and oxidation
Corrosion is the biggest killer of signs made from metal. If your business signage is fabricated from steel, aluminium, brass or other common metals, make sure you inspect it regularly for signs of corrosion.
Corrosion usually occurs in areas that are exposed to weather, or where water is allowed to gather. You can prevent corrosion by painting any exposed metals with an appropriate coating.
Avoid pressure washing and harsh chemicals
It’s important to keep signage clean while avoiding harsh cleaning methods. Strong chemicals and pressure washing can damage your signs:
- Strong chemicals – These have a tendency to damage paint and protective coatings. When used on timber, they can strip away natural oils, making the wood vulnerable to moisture and pests. Make sure you are cleaning your signs with a mild soap that’s compatible with the material! Most signs can be cleaned with warm water and a mild dish soap.
- Pressure washing – Pressure washers operate at pressures of 2,000psi and upwards. This is an immense amount of pressure for business signage that’s designed to withstand normal weather conditions. Pressure washing your signs can damage the coating and cause water to work its way inside the sign, where it can affect mounting hardware and electrical components. You can use a normal garden hose or a bucket of water to clean most outdoor signage.
Update your signs as the business grows
Your signage won’t last forever. No matter how well you clean it, signs wear out due to normal use and weather conditions.
It’s not all bad news though – replacing your signage is the perfect chance to update the look and feel of your business!
Signage should be considered one of your ongoing marketing expenses. It needs to be repaired, updated and replaced at regular intervals to ensure it’s still effective. After all, shabby signs reflect poorly on your business, so it’s important to make the right impression on your customers.
