I have seen a 1 mil clear that is supposed to help allow some choices of solvents to attempt to salvage a defaced sign that otherwise couldn't hold up to the solvents. I have a client who wants to have a sign re-done & hopes to find a level of protection that may allow some grafitti to be cleaned off the new one if it happens again.
I need to know what is out there, what it claims to offer, & how well it works if anyone has any knowledge of such a thing.
It is for a 4x8 real estate sign that will have background & border in one-shot, copy in cut vinyl, & a map that will either be an edge print, or a second background color masked off, with property lines & lot numbers in vinyl
Posted by Steve Burke (Member # 2674) on :
Doug,
I found DOL 5000 with Teflon on Avery's site...probably beaucoup $$$!!
If you have a way to get it consider Matthews Paint CLear. It is good for that- dries hard as nails and gives excellent graffitti resistance (I still think we should take a line from Singapore's book- cane those buggers 15 times and they will NEVER pick up a spray bomb again ).
Posted by Dave Johnson (Member # 2535) on :
I use 3M's protective transparent overlay film on signs for graffiti protection. It's expensive but performs well. Click on the links below to read the product bulletin. (PDF files)
I do not like the premasked film. The application tape on the premasked causes wrinkling or puckering on the clear which you can't see from the premask side.
[URL=http://multimedia.mmm.com/mws/mediawebserver.dyn?ppppppZXhADpJTqpCTqpppQKj04PPPPO-#xml=http://search.3m.com/search.dyn?request=findPdfInfo&query=1150+transparent&k2docKey=http%3A%2 F%2Fmultimedia.mmm.com%2Fmws%2Fmediawebserver.dyn%3FppppppZXhADpJTqpCTqpppQKj04PPPPO-%40usenglish.dmr]3M 1150 and 1150a [/URL] [URL=http://multimedia.mmm.com/mws/mediawebserver.dyn?ggggggQO&svgAKhguKhgggHB0S1GGGGF-#xml=http://search.3m.com/search.dyn?request=findPdfInfo&query=1160+transparent&k2docKey=http%3A%2 F%2Fmultimedia.mmm.com%2Fmws%2Fmediawebserver.dyn%3FggggggQO%26svgAKhguKhgggHB0S1GGGGF-%40usenglish.dmr]3M 1160 and 1160a[/URL]
Posted by Dave Johnson (Member # 2535) on :
Hello Doug - Product Sign Supply in San Jose sells graffiti coat 60" wide. They also sell by the foot for a small premium. " 1 mil Tedlar film ...used to protect flat signage...from graffiti...5 year life based on vertical installation" We used it where we had to, it works fine, but it detracts from the appearance of the finished sign, that is, you can tell there is an overlay. Vic G
Posted by Ken Henry (Member # 598) on :
Hi Doug. I've used automotive Turtle Wax over signs that need graffitti protection with good success. This will provide an invisible protective barrier of silicone wax that aerosol paint just won't stick to. After a graffitti attack, the sign face can simply be cleaned off with mineral spirits or varsol. Once this cleaning is done, another protective coat of wax should be applied.
I've never had to repaint one of these, but when that occasion ever arrises, I'd venture to guess that it'll be nearly impossible to remove all the silicone wax, since it can penetrate into the paint. It'll probably be less expensive just to make a new one.
Hope this option helps you out.
Posted by ScooterX (Member # 2023) on :
I used the 3M graffitti control film on a bunch of aluminum signs for the parks department (high vandalism potential). I used the pre-masked stuff and didn't have any trouble with it (I applied it wet with Rapid Tac). I tested the 3M and the 60" wide stuff Product Signs sells, and the 3M had a better look (slightly warmed the colors -- the other was a little dull). I've also heard Pelucid suggested as a spray or roller clear coat that is vandal resistant, but I haven't tried it so I can't tell you if it works. The 3M stuff works -- we did a test sample and "attacked" it with spray paint and markers -- everything came off easily if you get to it soon enough.
Depending on the severity of the problem, you might want to sell your customer a sample board with a few treatments and let them choose -- you'll make some extra $$ and they'll have the responsibility of the choice.
Posted by Rich Stebbing (Member # 368) on :
Graffiti in Maui?.....Hey Doug, I have used a product that Kelly-Moore Paints sells. I cannot recall it's name , but what it is basically is a heavy liquid wax that you apply to sign, and once violated you need to use very hot water to remove and then reapply. I never tested , although I have used it upon request and signs never got tagged. And then there's "porcelain", which can be expensive, but damn near bellet-proof. Many of the schools here have went the porcelain route. They are a very nice product and were made from a local company called "Fireforms", but they dissapeared???
Posted by Doug Allan (Member # 2247) on :
Thanks for ALL the good ideas. I will try to learn more about each.
Ken, wouldn't the mineral spirits attack the one shot after getting through the wax?
The removing waxy surface & graffiti with hot water sounds interesting, but still tricky on-site in remote location.
3M sounds expensive but I'll pass that cost on of course. Scooter, what solvents was it able to withstand on your tests.
Where's that dumb-a$$ 3M marketing guy when you need him? Posted by Si Allen (Member # 420) on :
In the past I have used 1Shot Sign Clear with a liberal dose of "Smoothie" silicone.
Werks great! LOL! Don't try to paint over it!
Posted by Kenneth Sandlin (Member # 3014) on :
We do offer an Anti-Graffiti laminate, our Series 240 Oraguard. It is a 1 mil Tedlar film and has 7 year outdoor durability with 1000% increased UV resistance and is graffiti resistant. It's available in 51" x 164' rolls and list is pricey, at $3.95/sq ft.
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3M marketing guy when you need him?