LED Signs Blog

Caring for Your LED Sign

Written by Stephanie Brault | Jan 21, 2016 5:35:03 PM

You have just made an exciting investment in your AdChoice LED Sign, and now it’s time to protect that investment. Read on to learn how to properly care for your electronic message center (EMC) and protect it from the elements to ensure it provides your business with effective advertising for many years to come!

Keep Your LED Display Board Looking New

We recommend that once you receive your new AdChoice LED sign, you wax all of its painted surfaces. Areas that can be waxed include:

  • Cabinet legs
  • Yokes
  • Trim

Use an automotive wax like turtle wax. To keep your EMC looking new, we recommend waxing it once a year. This will help prevent the elements from causing any damage to it.

Cleaning and Maintaining Your LED Sign

For general cleaning of your LED sign display, wash it with a mild soap and warm water solution. We recommend using dish soap. You can use a soft brush to gently scrub the sign clean, but NEVER use any abrasive items (e.g.: scrub brush, scouring pad, squeegee, etc.) because it can scratch and damage the polymer surface. Rinse with clean water and then dry with a soft cloth to prevent water spots.

You can use this mild soap and water solution to clean the polymer surface as well as the cabinet, frame, and all other painted metallic surfaces.

Spot Cleaning

Your EMC can be spot cleaned with Formula 409 or Windex using a soft cloth. We advise not to use paper towels, and NEVER use products such as Lysol, Pinesol, or any other cleaner containing the ingredient Butyl Cellosolve, which would damage the surface.

To remove calcium or lime deposits, use a solution of 10 parts water to 1 part vinegar, or a solution of 1 part water to 1 part baking soda.

Cleaning Letter Tracking

If your LED display contains letter tracking, simply clean it using a mild bleach and water solution. To get down inside the tracking, use a soft paint brush. Rinse clean with water.

How to Remove Graffiti from Your Electronic Sign

If the polymer surface of your sign has been defaced with spray paint, permanent marker, or dried egg, not to worry! You can remove these products with one of the following products:

  • VM & P Naphtha (available at hardware stores)
  • Isopropyl Alcohol
  • Lacryl

To clean, just apply the chemical directly to the affected area and wipe with a soft cloth or sponge.

Graffiti on the painted metal portions of your LED sign can be removed using one of the following products:

  • Bug & Tar Remover such as 3M Adhesive, Tar & Wax Remover, available in automotive sections
  • WD40
  • Isopropyl Alcohol

Other Ways to Preserve Your LED Display

Shut It Down!

If your business closes at night or there is another time of day you can turn off your sign, whether it is an indoor or outdoor electronic message board, do so. Powering down your sign regularly saves you energy in the short-term, of course, and spares your sign from working unnecessarily in the long run. Simply turn it off with the shut-off at the sign or the breaker in the building; these signs are hardwired, so there is nothing to unplug.

Clean Regularly

Depending on the environment in which your sign is located, you will want to be sure to keep up with these cleaning routines. Outdoor LED signs especially collect dust and dirt over time, dulling their exposure and therefore making them less effective! If you are located somewhere with a dry, sandy climate or heavy snow, you will certainly want to wipe your sign down regularly with a soft cloth to ensure visibility.

Keep Up With Routine Checks

Finally, perform preventative checks on your sign regularly. Your LED advertising sign is an investment, after all, and it can’t work for your business if it’s disabled! Stick to a schedule of routine checks to look over all of your sign’s equipment. Keep an eye out for wear and tear, weather damage, reduced performance, and increased electricity usage. If you notice any issue or damage, please contact us immediately and we will be happy to help!

Do you have more questions about the maintenance of your indoor or outdoor LED sign? Call AdChoice LED Signs today at 800-379-0256 for assistance!