General Recommendations for the Care and Maintenance of Interior and Exterior Architectural Signage

Congratulations on your new architectural signage system. We hope that the signage will effectively serve your wayfinding and identity needs for years to come. To help you achieve that goal, we have provided easy to follow care and maintenance instructions for your interior or exterior signage.

As you know, some signage systems can range in cost from a good used car to a brand new sports or luxury car straight off the showroom floor. As every car owner knows, routine maintenance and care of the car helps ensure the best performance and longest life for the car. The same can be said for interior and exterior signage.

The following is a list of tips and recommendations for your interior and exterior signage. A more detailed list is available under the “Care and Maintenance Instructions for Architectural Signage” section of the document. Also, bear in mind that these are general “rules of thumb” and that signage can be made from a wide variety of substrate materials and have different kinds of finishes. Therefore, when in doubt, please contact your local ASI affiliate for specific care and maintenance instructions.

Interior Signage (no Braille, raised lettering, silkscreen, or vinyl applied text to the surface)

• Signs should be dusted/cleaned once each season (every 90 days/three months)
• Use a clean, non-abrasive cotton cloth or paper towel to gently dust the signage
• If spots or fluids have accumulated, you can use a mild soap and water mixture to gently wipe down the sign, but you must blot-dry the sign completely. Do not leave moisture on the sign and do not scrub the surface where letters are present

Interior Signage with Braille or Raised Letters and Logos (InTouch, InTac, Terra, InTac Eco)

• Signs should be dusted/cleaned once each season (every 90 days/three months)
• Use a clean, non-abrasive cotton cloth to gently dust the signage (canned air can also be used)
• Signs should be kept in climate controlled environments and should not be subjected to high levels of humidity or accumulated moisture
• If liquids are accidently applied to the sign, blot-dry the sign completely

Exterior Signage (Aluminum, Fiberglass, Acrylic)

• Signs should be washed once each season (every 90 days/three months)
• Exterior signs should be washed with clean water and car shampoo as required
• Car shampoo contains wax to protect and preserve the painted surface

Never Use the Following Items for Care and Maintenance

• Abrasive cloths, sponges or scrubbing brushes
• Cloths that were used to clean other surfaces (helps avoid unintended chemical reactions)
• Detergents containing ammonia of solvents
• Methylated spirits, solvents or any acids
• Detergents containing abrasives
• Powerful steam or high pressure cleaning machines

Proper care and maintenance involves observing a few simple rules and will help maintain the signs’ attractive appearance and ensure a longer life. Clean signs, as well as being easier to read, convey a positive impression to visitors and your own personnel. Regular cleaning in the following way is recommended:

Interior signs with no ADA inserts (raised copy and Braille dots) should be cleaned by means of a soft cloth moistened with a mild detergent (e.g., Dawn or Palmolive).

Interior ADA signs with raised copy and Braille should be cleaned with a soft, dry cotton cloth. For stains or marks, apply a mild soap and water mixture to a clean cotton cloth and gently rub the stain away and blot dry the sign. DO NOT leave any moisture or cleaner on the sign.

Exterior signs should be washed with clean water and car shampoo 3-4 times a year or as required. Car shampoo contains wax to protect and preserve the painted surface.

Graffiti Removal: Simple Rules for Successful Removal on Non-ADA Signs

Treatment with Graffiti remover must never take place in direct sun or on hot panels.
The panel must always be cleaned with cold water to remove dirt such as sand, soil etc. It is always a good idea to test the purchased Graffiti remover on a “non visible” part of the sign to make sure that the surface is not damaged. Graffiti remover is applied using a soft cloth and the entire affected area must be kept wet for approximately 3-4 minutes and must never dry out. If part of the affected area is about to dry out you must apply more Graffiti remover. Finally, wash the panel with cold water. Please try to avoid applying graffiti remover to any applied vinyl text and be careful to avoid the vinyl text during the wash off phase. If graffiti covers the vinyl text, it might be best to have the vinyl copy removed and reapplied.

Cleaning Acrylic Panel Signs and Plastic Parts and Components

• Use a moistened damp cloth with mild detergent. Take care not to damage any paper inserts used by making sure the cloth does not contain any excessive water.
• Always be careful to ensure no dust or dirt particles are rubbed into the surface and never use paper towels to clean the surface.
• For plastic parts and components, use a clean soft cloth moistened with mild detergent and then dry them.

Never treat or clean any sign using any of the following items:

• Methylated spirits, solvents or any acids
• Detergents containing abrasives
• Coarse cloths or cleaning brushes
• Powerful steam or high pressure cleaning machines

Environmental Impact and Frequency of Cleaning and Maintenance

Where the sign is located and what the sign is exposed to can alter the maintenance schedule. Within industrial areas, corrosive particles are more prevalent. Lime, oil based deposits, sulphur dioxide, acids and other types of air born pollutants can all adversely affect painted surfaces if signs are not adequately maintained.

• Trees and foliage resins and pollen and bird droppings should be removed promptly to avoid damage.
• In coastal areas, high concentrations of salt, particularly if coupled with high humidity, may adversely affect the wear characteristics of painted finishes.
• All painted and plastic components do fade over time, particularly in areas of strong sunlight. Appropriate color selection can minimize this effect as can treating the surface with a wax based cleaning fluid.

Remove Protective Wrapping: Wrapping is designed to protect the sign panels during shipment and the wrapping should be removed immediately. If left on and exposed to the elements, the wrapping may damage the surface of the sign. Once the protective wrapping material has been removed, regular cleaning is recommended.

Landscape with Native Plants: One simple and effective tip to extending the life of exterior signs is to plant native plants at the base of exterior signs. Native plants are can withstand the local climate and require little maintenance, and they protect the posts and base of the signs by preventing lawn crews from accidentally striking the signs with mowers and weed eaters.