Maintenance & Cleaning
Signage is often the first impression a customer has of your business. The condition of your signage can influence how you are perceived. Maintaining the quality of your investment through yearly maintenance will not only extend the life of the sign but is also vital to maintaining your image. By following these guidelines for routine cleaning, you can keep your signage looking great for years to come.
Exterior stucco finishes can be susceptible to dirt and mold and could benefit from once to twice yearly maintenance. To begin, trim or remove any plants and landscaping that may have overgrown in a way that interferes with your sign’s finish. Plants and flowers that are not overgrown can be temporarily tied back during the cleaning process.
- Using a garden hose with normal pressure, fully saturate the entire sign to remove any loose dirt and debris.
- Using a gentle detergent such as dish soap, mix 1 TBSP of detergent with 3-4 gallons of warm water in a clean bucket.
Portions of your sign that are often in the shade could grow mildew without the drying effects of the sun. These areas may require more frequent cleaning with a special cleaning solution beyond basic detergents.
When removing mold or efflorescence (a whitish deposit that occurs when water enters brick and leaves behind salts on the surface), a Tri-Sodium Phosphate (TSP) or bleach and detergent may be required. It is always best to test whatever cleaning solution you may use on a small, inconspicuous portion of the signage, to ensure compatibility with the finish. In the case of efflorescence, scrape off as much of the deposit as possible with a dry brush prior to wetting the signage.
- Using a medium bristled brush, scrub the pre-rinsed sign gently with the cleaning solution, be careful not to mar the finish.
- Scrub from the top and work your way down. Re-wet the sign as needed to prevent the cleaning solution from absorbing into dry stucco. This could result in permanent stains on the stucco finish.
- After completing one section of the sign, thoroughly rinse with a lot of clean water using a garden hose. This will prevent staining of the sign by any leftover cleaning solution.
- After the entire sign has been cleaned, rinse well again and allow to air dry.
DO NOT USE:
- Pressure washer
- Steam cleaning
- Excessive pressure
- Solvent-based cleaners
Any of these methods pose a serious risk of destroying the special finish on your sign.
Stucco finishes are porous; thus they can often contain dirt and debris that is not readily apparent upon casual glance. You may think it looks fine, but dirt and dust are building up and slowly changing the appearance of your signage. Annual cleaning will ensure that your sign makes a good first impression by always looking the best.
