Hello... A customer brought in 2 pan faces that have been top coated with paint to cover up the existing graphics.
Is there any easy way to remove the paint from the face of the sign without damaging the surface?
I do not know if it is latex or oil based - If I remove some of the lettering - the paint crumbles & turns to dust, but it does not seem to want to budge off of the surface of the pan face.
Tried a heat gun & it does not seem to help at all.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks Mike
Posted by bruce ward (Member # 1289) on :
i am about to save you alot of trouble and heartache. tell them its new pans or nothing, do not waste 1 minute more thinking you can get this off.
and if you CAN get it off what may be the conditio up under the paint, it just aint worth it
Posted by Tony Vickio (Member # 2265) on :
I'm with Bruce! You'll have more cost in labor removing the old paint than in new faces. Then......if you do get the paint off, the chances of "ghosts" showing up when you turn the sign on just isn't worth it. Listen to Bruce!!!!!!!
Posted by Si Allen (Member # 420) on :
Sounds like it is a latex paint on those faces. You cannopt peel or scvrape it off! They are now junk! Anything that will dissolve the paint will also dissolve the faces.
Listen to what the previous guys said and start with new.... or pass on it!
[ February 10, 2006, 10:30 AM: Message edited by: Si Allen ]
Posted by Robert Salyers (Member # 5) on :
I used some denatured alcohol to remove paint from pans some years back with the help of this board. It was messy and really not worth it in the long run. One nice thing though, if you're good with a high speed sander, strip it and sand with 800 or 1000 for a nice repaintable eggshell finish. It is work though! Posted by Bruce Williams (Member # 691) on :
Ditto with the others. If the paint does come off, it's a big, unholy mess, and the faces will not look like new at all.
Posted by Curtis hammond (Member # 2170) on :
NEw pan faces can be had for a lot less than you think ,, And a pan face supplier will help you with the faces all you want.. They can plot out the clearances, redius, and all other details. All you have to give them is the dimensions of the can..
Then have a graphic ready for them and they will do that part too at a much less cost than if you do it yourself..
REuse a pan face,, for me,,, not on your life..
Posted by David Harding (Member # 108) on :
So far, 6 votes for new faces. Make that 7.
Posted by Sheila Ferrell (Member # 3741) on :
8
Posted by Deb Fowler (Member # 1039) on :
New faces equals a happy ending. Tell the customer you're looking out for his investment and you're a professional like them. Nothing else is acceptable. I've removed once, only; never again.
Posted by Bruce Bowers (Member # 892) on :
Ten is nice even number, eh?
I vote for the new pans.
Posted by Michael Boone (Member # 308) on :
new or nuttin
Posted by Elaine Beauchemin (Member # 136) on :
Save your health. New faces
Posted by Mike Stowe (Member # 324) on :
Everyone just confirmed what I already thought.
New faces or nothing. I just promised the customer that I would check to see if there was any miracle product to take off the paint.
Thanks everyone!
Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :
I've cleaned many. It usually involves a combination of every chemical known to man and discovering the correct sequence and duration of exposure. Sometimes you get them stripped and make the plastic so brittle that it's lifespan ends with a brisk wind on a cold day. Alcohol, brake fluid, saran wrap and a fan would be the place to start. Then comes the laquer thinner and possibly acetone. Plan spending hours doing this. It usually comes out about the same as buying new pieces only has the risk of not working and the purchase happens anyway. Just make it your new career.
Posted by Rick Beisiegel (Member # 3723) on :
14 votes for new. Will be a constant touch up nightmare for you.
Posted by Sheila Ferrell (Member # 3741) on :
Rick,
In some rare instances where cleaning is feasible or necessary, denatured alcohol alone works for the inside only, and that on the grip-flex best. Nothing but nothing will remove latex from the front of plex AND leave the plex or lex pristeen. Laquer thinner and such strong solvents melt the material. Mineral spirits fogs it.
And Mike, if you're dealin' with extremely tight-fisted customers, and they do not want a lighted sign, the ONLY exception to using these panels MIGHT be to paint over the existing paint and put the new lettering on.
But how tacky.
And such work creates another 'exception which is: being known as a dirt-cheap-tacky-sign guy . . .
My word, but I'm inspired to create another thread . . .
Anyway, if these people want a lit sign, you must replace with beautiful new faces.
By the way, how do you fell about these replies so far?? Are you still with us??
Earth-to-Mike:
Posted by Michael R. Bendel (Member # 5847) on :
Run Mike run!!!!
New faces!! New sign!! NO SIGN, Ish, ewwwwww!!!
Ask them... "really? seriously?... is there a camera in your hairpiece?"
or... do what we all really want to do...HAHA:rofl: ....HAHA, (slap knee sharply)HEEEHeeEE..HOOO..:rofl(do the "Home Alone scream) WAAAHHAHA...(ask them if their mom had any kids that lived)..HHHAAAAWWHHHOOOOHHHAAAEEEEYYYAAAY :rofl(WARNING...it could offend a bit though) then catch your breath & protect yourself!
One more option if you're still reading...
Paint over the fronts & it's now a non-lit sign...? ISH!! (I just re-tasted my lunch a teeny bit).
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