Sign Maintenance

1. Disconnect all power to the sign, either at the disconnect switch on the sign or at the circuit breaker.

 

 

2. Prepare cleaning solution of warm water and mild cleaning agent (Formula 409 or any standard dishwashing detergent, for example).

3. Using the cleaning solution and a soft cloth or sponge, wash the painted surfaces of the sign thoroughly.

 

4. Using clean water, rinse the areas that you have washed.

5. Towel Dry to prevent water spots from forming on your sign.

6. Repeat as needed during the life of the sign.

1. Disconnect all power to the sign, either at the disconnect switch on the sign or at the circuit breaker.

 

2. Unlock the Vandal Cover and prop open exposing the face and copy track.

3. With a cleaning solution of warm water and mild soap, wash the outer face of the sign ensuring that you get in the ribs of the face and under the copy track. If you have an area that is excessively dirty, wet the area and allow the water to loosen the dirt. Note: If a pressure washer is available, you can use to get under the copy track and around the rivets. Please use caution not to damage the face during this process.

 

 

 

 

4. Lower the vandal cover and secure the locks.

 

5. With a screwdriver or power drill with a hex head attachment, remove the screws connecting the side retainer to the sign. Be advised to hold the retainer in place while removing the fasteners to prevent the retainer from falling and becoming damaged.

6. Once the retainer is removed, slide the face out of the sign and prop against a sturdy object, or lay down flat with the outside surface face down. Be sure the face is stationed in a secure area and the face is protected to avoid scratches or damage while the sign face is out of the sign cabinet.

 

 

 

7. Carefully clean the backside of the face to ensure a thorough cleaning of the inside surface. Be cautious not to damage the sign decoration during this step. Never use a power washer directly on any decorated area, including all second surface (inside) areas of the sign face.

8. Rinse and dry the face to prevent water spots from forming.

9. Replace the face in the cabinet ensuring the face does not bow or bend. If the sign face binds or is difficult to fully slide back into the cabinet, ensure that the face is following the track. The face may hang up on the sides due to the flexibility of the face material. Two people may be needed for this process.

10. Replace the retainer and fasten the screws.

 

11. Repeat process on opposite side if your sign display is double faced.

1. Disconnect all power to the sign, either at the disconnect switch on the sign or at the circuit breaker.

 

2. With a screwdriver or power drill with a hex head attachment, remove the screws connecting the side retainer to the sign. Be advised to hold the retainer in place while removing the fasteners to prevent the retainer from falling and becoming damaged.

3. Once the retainer is removed, slide the face out of the sign and prop against a sturdy object, or lay down flat with the outside surface face down Be sure you have the face secured and protected to avoid damage or scratches from outside forces.

 

 

 

4. Once all faces are removed from the sign, remove the lamps. Removal of the lamps can be done by pushing the lamp toward the side of cabinet that has the spring-loaded socket. The lamp can then be removed from the sockets one side at a time.

 

 

5. Using an electrical tape, cover all lamp sockets to avoid moisture from entering the electrical system. This will prevent any electrical shorts.

 

 

 

6. Using warm water and a mild soap, clean the inside surfaces thoroughly. Carefully clean around all electrical components so that no damage occurs. Some electrical components may be hidden by the raceway (sheet metal protecting the wiring near the ballast).

7. Rinse the surface and push the water toward the bottom drain holes in the bottom of the cabinet. This will drain the water from the bottom surface of the sign.

8. Replace the faces into the sign and retainers.

When changing a ballast in your sign, please follow the procedure listed below.

1. Disconnect all power to the sign, either at the disconnect switch on the sign or at the circuit breaker.

 

 

2. With a screwdriver or power drill with a hex head attachment, remove the screws connecting the side retainer to the sign. Be advised to hold the retainer in place while removing the fasteners to prevent the retainer from falling and becoming damaged..

3. Once the retainer is removed, slide the face out of the sign and prop against a sturdy object, or lay down flat with the outside surface face down. Be sure you have the face secured and protected to avoid damage or scratches from outside forces.

 

 

4. Locate the ballast in the sign and remove the raceway (protective sheet metal covering the wires) from the cabinet. This will expose all wiring.

 

 

 

5. If there are any banding or straps holding the ballast from shipping, cut and remove (these will not need to be replaced). This will require a tin snips or other metal cutting hand tool.

 

6. Undo the wire nuts or clip the wires leading to the ballast. Pay close attention to the colors on the wiring as to ensure correct connections are made during the installation.

 

7. Unscrew the ballast from the cabinet of the sign.

 

8. Mount the new ballast in the exact place of the old unit and reattach to the cabinet of the signs using the screws.

 

9. Reconnect the wires to the ballast. Using the colored wires, ensure that the ballast is connected properly.

 

10. Reattach the raceway. Make sure there are no wires crimped or pinched by the raceway.

 

11. Replace the lamps that were removed.

 

 

12. Turn the power to the sign on to ensure the ballast is hooked up correctly. You will need to adjust any timers or cover photo eye sensors that may be hooked up to the sign that normally prevents the sign from lighting during the day.

 

13. Once you know the sign is lighting properly and the new ballast is functioning, disconnect the power.

 

14. Replace the faces and retainers on the sign

 

 

15. Restart all power to the sign.

If your sign is illuminating too brightly, you can manually reduce the brightness. To adjust the brightness of the lamps, please follow the procedure listed below.

1. Disconnect all power to the sign, either at the disconnect switch on the sign or at the circuit breaker.

 

 

2. With a screwdriver or power drill with a hex head attachment, remove the screws connecting the side retainer to the sign. Be advised to hold the retainer in place while removing the fasteners to prevent the retainer from falling and becoming damaged.

3. Once the retainer is removed, slide the face out of the sign and prop against a sturdy object, or lay down flat with the outside surface face down. Be sure you have the face secured and protected to avoid damage or scratches from outside forces.

 

 

4. Using black electrical tape, apply tape to the lamp in a candy cane or barbershop pole pattern. The tape is opaque and will limit the light emitted by the lamp.

 

 

 

5. Replace the face and retainer to the sign.

 

6. Restart all power to the sign.

Note: If the sign is still to bright or is not bright enough, adjustments may be made by applying additional tape or reducing the amount of tape as necessary.

If you have a lamp that burns out in your sign, use the following procedure to replace.

1. Disconnect all power to the sign, either at the disconnect switch on the sign or at the circuit breaker.

 

2. With a screwdriver or power drill with a hex head attachment, remove the screws connecting the side retainer to the sign. Be advised to hold the retainer in place while removing the fasteners to prevent the retainer from falling and becoming damaged.

3. Once the retainer is removed, slide the face out of the sign and prop against a sturdy object, or lay down flat with the outside surface face down. Be sure you have the face secured and protected to avoid damage or scratches from outside forces.

 

 

 

4. For spring loaded sockets, firmly grasp the lamp and push toward the spring loaded socket. This will release the lamp from the other socket and you will be able to remove the lamp.

 

For tombstone or turn-style sockets, you will need to firmly grasp the bulb and twist to release the lamp from the socket. Once released, you will be able to remove the lamp from the socket.

5. Using the marking on the end of the lamp, purchase replacement lamps at any electrical, hardware, or home building store. If the markings on the lamp are not legible, please contact Buy Direct Signs for the replacement information.

6. Replace the lamps in the sign.

 

7. Replace the face and retainer to the sign.

 

8. Restart all power to the sign.

Note: Buy Direct Signs recommends replacing all lamps at the same time. We have found that generally lamps will burn out or loose their brightness at approximately the same rate. This will reduce the number of times you need to access the inside of the sign, thus reducing the chance of any damage to the face or retainers.
And replacing the lamps periodically will keep your sign as bright as possible!