Faded Signs

[Gino]

Yes.

Magenta probably fades the quickest. Next would be your yellows. Cyan and black are more prone to lasting the longest. So colors with more magenta and yellows are gonna go out first. Hitting double and triple strikes in my opinion are not worth doing excepts on backlit signs.

 

[tulsagraphics]

Yes.

Magenta probably fades the quickest. Next would be your yellows. Cyan and black are more prone to lasting the longest. So colors with more magenta and yellows are gonna go out first. Hitting double and triple strikes in my opinion are not worth doing excepts on backlit signs.

I couldn't find the graphic I was looking for (which had a really good explanations about how certain colors absorb UV light), but the colors on the right side (warm colors) absorb more UV so they fade faster. Colors are the left side absorb less. Tons of science out there explaining UV wavelengths / absorption rates / etc. so I won't bother posting that here -- but in practice -- I generally see the cooler colors last 20-30% longer than the warm colors.:

 

[tulsagraphics]

Also has me thinking... as a Target executive "Why are we spending 30% more on our signage than Walmart and Lowe's?"
"Oh, that's because we hired some Fiverr azzhat that didn't know reds fade faster than blue."
-- Well, dammit -- we're branded now. I guess we'll have to be content with 20% higher prices.

 

[Ron at Forest Litho]

About 3-4 years ago I had Signs 365 print direct on some full color waypoint signage on J Bond with a coating. Needless to say in the direct sunlight outside they faded bad. Is there an alternative I can suggest to the customer that will last a little longer? Cast vinyl with a UV Laminate mounted on some aluminum composite Possibly? Open for suggestions!

I spray the signs I get with SEM ColorCoat #13003 Clear coat. It is a Marine grade product. It adheres to all vinyls and has UV protection. Also helps with scratch resistance. I think signs last longer with a light coat of that .

 

[Ron at Forest Litho]

mathews acrylic polyurethane will outlast any vinyl/print by 2x if not more.
masking & painting & repeat drives up the cost bigtime though.

fun fact: all six of the American flags still planted on the moon are now white from UV exposure.

Apparently full radiation exposure in outer space will fade almost anything. Makes you appreciate our atmosphere!