The Letterville BullBoard: Econolite problems???

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Posted by John Papenheim (Member # 213) on :

Anyone else having trouble with Econolite de-laminating on the back? Had a BUNCH of letters cut from it that all fell off the sign early this summer. Laminators (they make Alumalite/ econolite) replaced the material, and some of my labor, saying there was a bad batch. But now, with new sheets of econolite on a real estate subdivision sign complete with 200 lot map, the back has de-laminated again, nearly 8 months after the supposed bad batch. Unfortunately, I've used tons of the stuff the last couple years, and worry every time the phone rings I'll hear "the back of my sign is coming off!"

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John Papenheim
Papenheim Sign
Fond Du Lac, WI.

Posted by Chuck Peterson (Member # 70) on :

nevermind

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Chuck Peterson Graphics
1860 Playa Riviera Dr.
Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Calif. 92007

[This message has been edited by Chuck Peterson (edited August 29, 2001).]

Posted by Kevin Landry (Member # 1352) on :

I have never had any problems with this stuff except for curves. It gets kinda ugly. My question is: Did you edge cap it?
All of the signs that I did are still holding up very well.

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Kevin Landry
KnL Signs
Halifax NS
knlsigns@hfx.eastlink.ca

Posted by John Papenheim (Member # 213) on :

Well, I'm really jumpin' mad now... I just got back from a client's place where I did some entrance signs, all 2'x3'. ALL DE-LAMINATED on the backs, and looking really bad. they heat up in the sun, and without the back sticking, the get wavy. No, I did not use edge caps, but laminators says they're not needed. Plus, on my drive home (this place is 40 minutes away) I noticed some other "temporary" signs I had done for someone else were delaminated as well. GEEZ... I've been selling this stuff telling customers it's way more durable than plywood. Who knows how many I've got out there, I guess I gotta go back thru all my records and see who might have the stuff & call 'em. Better to call them before they have problems than to have them call me with complaints, (or maybe never call me again!)
This is going to be real time consuming... Not pleased....

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John Papenheim
Papenheim Sign
Fond Du Lac, WI.

Posted by EPatzer (Member # 135) on :

You too huh? I thought it was just my saw taking the backing off... I ended up running screws through the face just to hold it together (ugly)... What else am I supposed to do when you are on rented scaffolding and the only day to install is here and now. Arrrrggghhhh...

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Eric Patzer
A.S.A.P. Design
Lafayette, CO
epatzer@earthlink.net

Posted by Suelynn Sedor (Member # 442) on :

John,

After reading about your dilema, I dug out my installation guide from laminators. Some interesting points are:

"Even though Econolite is an economical alternative to Alumalite, it cannot be used in all the same applications. Econolite's aluminum backer is not as strong as Alumalite's thicker.016 alum. backer. Consequently, Econolite is best used in applications when all four sides of the panel are supported..."

"When mounted and installed as directed by Laminators (all products) are warranted not to delaminate (seperate) at any Laminators produced glue line for a period of five years."

(I'm not sure what the laminators produced glue line is...I guess this means it can delaminate any where else and thats okay???)

"We offer a limited product replacement warranty, not an insurance policy...Also, any other expenses (including labor, etc) incurred as a result of panel failure are not covered in the warranty"

John, I'm glad you brought this to our attention. I also have been selling aluminum products and making a much higher profit, because I use the line "guaranteed for 10 years by the manufacturer" I'm going to have to give this some serious thought.

I was just burned by my vinyl producer on a semi I striped. One edge of the striping had no adhesive and I had to remove and redo the whole truck at my expense. The vinyl company replaced the role of vinyl and admitted it was their fault, but I was out a whole days work (actually two, including the original installation) This was high quality vinyl I was using from a reputable company, which I brag to my customers, (I only use top-quality products, yada yada) I was not impressed and it gives you a whole new perspective on manufacturers warranty. If they won't actually stand behind their products, how are we supposed to?

Sue

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"It is never too late to be what you might have been." -George Eliot

Suelynn Sedor
Sedor Signs
Carnduff, Sk Canada

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