Repairing Your Neon Sign
Drawing attention to your business can be a great way to increase traffic and sales. Having access to a functional neon sign can be a simple and effective way to draw the eye of consumers to your business and encourage customers to come through the doors. Maintaining a neon sign can seem challenging, but there are some simple repairs that you can complete yourself in order to keep your neon sign working properly.
Here are three tips that you can use to successfully repair a damaged neon sign in the future.
1. Determine why the sign will not illuminate.
One of the most common problems that business owners encounter when relying on neon signs to meet their advertising needs is a sign that will not illuminate. In order to begin making the proper repairs, you need to determine the cause of the illumination problems.
Your sign could be plagued by a bad transformer. You can remove the insulation tube to expose the tiny electrode wires within the tube, then check for a small arc of electricity traveling between the two electrode wires when the switch is engaged. If there is no arc, then you will need to install a new transformer. If there is an arc, then a faulty switch could be to blame for your sign's illumination problems.
2. Replace damaged tubes.
Neon signs utilize a mixture of gases in order to create the characteristic bright lights that they are known for. When the glass tubes housing these gases sustain damage, the gases can leak out. This will cause your sign to fail to illuminate entirely, or it could cause illumination problems in a small section of the sign.
If you notice cracks or holes in your sign's tubes, then you will need to replace these damaged tubes with new ones in order to restore proper function to the sign.
3. Keep your neon sign clean.
As your neon sign is exposed to the elements over time, it can become dirty. Many business owners mistake a dirty sign for a malfunctioning one, so you should strive to keep your sign clean in order to be able to accurately assess any damage and repairs that need to be made.
Using a soft cloth and warm water, gently wipe the exterior surface of the sign's glass tubes. You can use a gentle detergent if needed to remove grease or stubborn stains. Cleaning your sign will help the neon lights shine as brightly as possible, and it will also give you the chance to thoroughly inspect the sign for damage as you clean is surface regularly.
Caring for your neon sign requires that you are able to make simple repairs when needed. Be sure that you can identify the source of your sign's illumination issues, replace damaged tubes, and clean your sign regularly if you want your neon sign to serve its intended purpose and draw customers into your business. For more information, contact companies like Apogee Signs.
