How to Clean and Maintain Your LED Neon Sign: A Comprehensive Guide
With an LED sign from Neon Daddy, you’re already well on your way to taking your space to the next level, be it your bar, bedroom, or business. However, like all décor, our vibrant signs require regular attention to keep them fully functional and at their brilliant best. The good news is that our signs are dead easy to clean and maintain. In this guide, we’ll take you through the simple process of cleaning your sign, and troubleshooting any issues you might encounter, ensuring your sign continues to shine bright and beautiful for years to come.
Why Regular Maintenance Matters
Before we delve into the cleaning process, it’s important to understand why regular maintenance of your LED neon sign is essential.
- Aesthetics: Perhaps the most obvious reason to maintain your LED neon sign is simple: it looks better! Whether it’s hanging in your storefront or lighting up your home, keeping your sign free of dust and dirt ensures it continues to look vibrant and attractive.
- Longevity: Regular maintenance prevents the buildup of dust and dirt on your sign, significantly reducing wear on the LEDs and greatly extending the sign’s lifespan as a result.
- Safety: Keeping your sign clean and well-maintained minimises the risk of electrical issues, ensuring it remains safe to operate.
So, with such clear benefits, there’s no reason to not follow our simple guide, and keep your LED neon sign clean and well-maintained!
What You’ll Need
Cleaning your LED sign is a simple process that requires just a few basic materials. Before we begin, here’s what you’ll need:
- A microfibre cloth or another soft, lint free cloth
- Mild detergent or dish soap
- A spray bottle
- A soft brush (optional)
- Compressed air (optional)
How to Clean Your LED Neon Sign
- Turn Off and Unplug Your Sign: Before we can do any cleaning, it’s important to make sure the sign is unplugged from the power supply/battery pack. This will prevent any electrical issues which could damage your sign.
- Dust Your Sign: Using your cloth, gently dust the surface of your sign to remove any loose dirt and dust that’s accumulated. If your sign has any hard-to-reach areas, for example sharp corners on intricate designs, try using a small, soft brush or compressed air to dust them.
- Prepare a Cleaning Solution: Mix a small amount of detergent or dish soap with water and pour the solution into the spray bottle. Harsh or abrasive cleaning chemicals should be avoided as these can damage the sign.
- Wipe Down: Spray the cleaning solution onto your cloth – never directly onto your sign – and use it to gently wipe your sign down. It’s best to use small circular motions, taking care not to apply too much pressure to avoid any damage.
- Dry Your Sign: Once you’ve finished wiping your sign down, use a dry cloth to gently remove any remaining moisture. Always check that your sign is fully dry before plugging it back in – leftover moisture could damage the components.
And it’s as simple as that! Feel free to dust your sign as often as you’d like, and make sure to give it a proper clean every few months.
Tips for Maintaining Your LED Neon Sign
Beyond just cleaning, there’s also a few other things you can do to keep your LED neon sign in tip-top condition.
- Avoid Direct Sunlight: Prolonged exposure to sunlight can damage the LEDs in your sign and cause their colour to fade over time. Try to install your sign in an area where it’s protected from direct sunlight.
- Keep Away From Moisture: Moisture can damage the components in your sign, potentially leading to it failing. If you want to mount your sign outside or any area where it may be exposed to excessive moisture, it’s a good idea to add waterproofing with your order (we’d also recommend choosing the 5 meter power cable as the power supply will need to be kept dry).
- Check Wiring Regularly: Loose connections or damaged wires can lead to electrical issues which may damage your sign or reduce its lifespan, so it’s a good idea to check the wiring every now and then to make sure everything is secure.
- Turn Off When Not in Use: Although LED neon signs aren’t particularly power-hungry, it’s nonetheless best to turn your sign off when it’s not in use. Not only will this save energy, but it will also extend your sign’s lifespan by reducing wear on the components.
- Avoid Overloading Sockets: If you want to plug your sign into an extension lead, make sure the extension can handle the sign as well as any other devices that are plugged into it. Plugging too many devices into one extension lead risks overloading the socket, potentially damaging your sign, and also poses a fire hazard.
Common Issues
Sometimes, your sign may encounter issues even with proper care and maintenance. These can include:
- Dim Lights
- Flickering Lights
- Dead Lights
- Buzzing/Humming
If you encounter any of these issues, make sure that the power supply cables are properly plugged in and secure. If these issues persist, feel free to contact us at support@neondaddy.co.uk and we’ll do our best to get your sign working again!
Conclusion
Properly looking after your sign is a straightforward process that offers significant benefits to its lifespan and aesthetics, ensuring it stays as vibrant as the day you bought it. By regularly following the steps in this guide, your sign is sure to shine brightly and safely for years to come.
At Neon Daddy, we’re proud to deliver high-quality, durable LED neon signs that look the part and are a breeze to care for. If you’re unsure about anything in this guide, or have any questions about maintaining your sign, don’t hesitate to contact the team. We’re more than happy to help you keep your LED neon sign glowing strong!