Tips to Maintain Your Store Signs in Toronto

Storefront signs in Toronto are one of the most important parts of the city’s modern store buildings. They announce your company’s presence to the world, and for many people, they’ll be the first thing they see associated with your company. You want to make a good impression, but if your sign is older or has been out in the elements for a while, it may no longer be looking its best.

That’s where sign maintenance comes in. With a little extra attention, you can keep your indoor and outdoor storefront signs looking fresh and inviting for your customers. Follow our 11 tips below to learn how.

11 Tips for Maintaining Your Storefront Signs

1. Clean Your Signs Regularly

It might sound simple, but you would be surprised how many business owners lose track of how long it’s been since they last washed their storefront signs! Try to give them a thorough cleaning at least once every three months. This will ensure that your signs stay squeaky clean every time the seasons change, and they are exposed to different weather conditions.

2. Wipe Your Signs with a Soft Towel

A clean, soft cloth is perfect for wiping down indoor signs when they inevitably get dusty. Be gentle when you do this – scrubbing won’t get you anywhere and might cause damage, especially on delicate vinyl lettering. Avoid using sponges and brushes that might scratch your sign, and never use a cloth that has recently been in contact with cleaning chemicals. These cleaners can be quite harsh and may cause harmful chemical reactions on your sign’s surface.

3. Use Mild Soap and Water on Indoor Signs

If a dry towel isn’t enough to get the job done, you can use a mild soap mixed with water to clean your indoor signs. Make sure the soap has no abrasives or ammonia in it to avoid scratching or damaging your sign. You’ll also want to dry the sign-off when you’re done to avoid letting any dirt or gunk get stuck to it while it’s still wet.

4. Wash Outdoor Signs with Car Shampoo

While indoor signs are best handled delicately, outdoor signs call for a little more cleaning power. Car shampoo is perfect for removing grime from acrylic, fibreglass, or aluminum outdoor signs. It’s made to wash off all the dirt from the road without damaging a car’s paint, and it will work just as well for your signs. It’ll even leave a thin coating of wax behind that will help protect your sign from future dirt and damage.

5. Remove Any Graffiti

Not every business is targeted by graffiti artists, but if yours is, you’ll want to remove those marks immediately. Having graffiti on your signs makes it look like your business is neglected or even abandoned. rude messaging that you don’t want to be associated with your business.

You can use graffiti remover to do this if you take care to test a small amount of it on an inconspicuous area of your sign first. If it doesn’t damage the sign, you’re good to go. Keep it away from any vinyl text on your sign to avoid loosening the adhesive, and wash all of the remover off with cold water after you’re done.

6. Do Not Use Pressure Washers

Pressure washers are too powerful for even the sturdiest of signs to withstand. If you use one on yours, you risk causing permanent damage. Remember that even stubborn grime can usually be removed with a good cleaner and some elbow grease. It may take more time, but it’s worth it to keep your sign in good shape and protect your investment.

7. Remove Dust Immediately

Dust and pollen can settle onto a sign and work their way into all of the sign’s nooks and crannies before you even know it’s there. The longer it sits there, the more likely it is to cause permanent damage. Dust your sign regularly to make sure this doesn’t happen. It’s a good idea to make this a scheduled task that gets done every few days, whether dust is visible or not. That way, it’ll never get the chance to cause problems for you.

8. Repair Your Signs as Needed

Signs are exposed to all sorts of physical stressors every day. From customers knocking cars or bags against it to inclement weather conditions like hail or ice storms, it’s impossible to keep your signs safe from every impact that might damage them.

When you inevitably notice a crack, chip, or missing piece on your sign, call a reputable sign company right away. They’ll be able to fix the problem for you before it can get any worse.

9. Clean Off Bird Droppings

As gross as they are, bird droppings are a fact of life. If something is outside for long enough, a bird will eventually leave its mark.

These droppings will sour potential customers’ opinions of your business before they even get in the door. Take a moment every week or so to rinse them off and give your business a better chance at making a good first impression.

10. Clean Up Any Rust

Rust not only looks bad – it can actually damage your signs and force you to replace them well before you would normally need to. For both reasons, you should regularly inspect your signs for rust and clean it off as soon as you notice it. Rust is more common on outdoor signs that are exposed to the elements, but it can also appear on indoor signs that are exposed to high levels of humidity.

If you spot a significant amount of rust on one of your signs or notice that it’s rusting more often than you’d expect, consider replacing it after consulting with a sign company. The location may need a different type of sign or one made with different materials.

11. Check Your Info

The main purpose of your storefront signs is to deliver information about your business, so it’s worth double-checking that information every once in a while. Are things like your business’s name, phone number, hours of operation, email address, and more still in line with what your signs say? If not, it’s time for a new sign.

Remember to check every sign that is visible to the public, too. It’s easy to forget about the small decal next to your door, but you can bet that your customers won’t. Correcting the sign now makes your business look more professional and staves off potential customer service headaches that might come up when someone notices the mismatches.

Choose Your Materials and Manufacturer Well

No amount of maintenance will make up for signs that are poorly made. Never purchase custom signs from a sign company that you don’t trust. Look at their portfolio, reviews, website, and other materials to help you determine if they really know what they’re doing. Only place your order when you’re sure that you have the right place for the job.

Order Our Long-Lasting Store Signs in Toronto Today

Whether you’re interested in indoor signage or outdoor storefront signs in Toronto, The Sign & Graphics Manufaktur can make your dream sign a reality. Our signs not only look great – with proper upkeep, they last for years. Contact us today to talk to our staff about our services, pricing, or any other relevant details. We know you’ll be happy to have one of our signs serving as the face of your business.

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