Question Why Outdoor Signs are turning black

[CDS PROFESSIONAL SERVICES]

Lately I have noticed outdoor lighted signs with translucent signs becoming blackish, like burning out.

What causes this? Is it no uv protection or the laminate not a uv protector?

 

[Z SIGNS]

That's what happens to printed signs. They turn brown in a few years.

 

[Billct2]

Either cheap materials which fail earlier or the right materials and they are old.

 

[gabagoo]

3ml with 3ml laminate will look like they have a fungal infection attacking them. Not sure how a cast film with laminate fairs....hopefully a few years longer.

 

[Texas_Signmaker]

It's why I use cast translucent cut vinyl when I can... I try to at least push a customer to figure out how to make the sign without needing to print...it will only benefit them when we can double/triple the life of the sign.

 

[rjssigns]

Vinyl going bad is what makes them look like that.
Only way to make them last is to paint second surface on clear polycarb then spray translucent white flood coat. Learned that from an old time sign guy I worked with from time to time. He did a lot of backlit work, some of which is still in my neighborhood over 20 years later.

The rare backlit panel I need gets subbed out now, but it's still second surface on clear with white flood.

 

[Val47]

Lately I have noticed outdoor lighted signs with translucent signs becoming blackish, like burning out.

What causes this? Is it no uv protection or the laminate not a uv protector?

do you have pictures you could post?

 

[WYLDGFI]

Vinyl going bad is what makes them look like that.
Only way to make them last is to paint second surface on clear polycarb then spray translucent white flood coat. Learned that from an old time sign guy I worked with from time to time. He did a lot of backlit work, some of which is still in my neighborhood over 20 years later.

The rare backlit panel I need gets subbed out now, but it's still second surface on clear with white flood.

We like to do that way as well when the client is using clear polycarbonate or similar.

 

[McDonald Signs]

Top layer of Laminate is probably turning brown....

 

[Aero Signs]

This happens when the vinyl is not gassed out before laminated.