Does anyone know of a miraculous remedy to lighten or eliminate yellowed areas on a polycarbonate flat face after old vinyl is removed? Customer wants to re-use face, but you can read the old text "plain-as-day" in bright white! I'm assuming this is a S.O.L. situation, but thought I'd ask anyway!!Thx, Stacy
Posted by Bruce Bowers (Member # 892) on :
Yes, Stacy...
S.O.L. just about sums it up nicely. if the customer is unwilling to pay for a new piece of material, then he/she will have to live with what is there.
I have seen the yellow marks of which you speak. Unsightly, ain't they? I wish there was a way to remove them but then again, I would rather start with a fresh background.
Hey, what do I know? I'm just a sign painter... Ya fer sher, doncha know....
Have a great one!
[ August 13, 2002, 08:14 PM: Message edited by: Bruce Bowers ]
Posted by VICTORGEORGIOU (Member # 474) on :
Stacy, can you flip the panel over and letter the backside? Vic G
Posted by Brian Snyder (Member # 41) on :
AFAIK, polycarbonate can only be vinyl lettered on one specific side. Whenever I've ordered it there was a label pointing out the "good side." Anyone else?
Posted by VICTORGEORGIOU (Member # 474) on :
Brian, I was told that only one side of polycarbonate is UV treated, and that is the purpose of the label. Other than that the two sides are the same. Since the material has yellowed, it doesn't seem that it would make any difference. Maybe someone has more information on this? Vic G
Posted by Checkers (Member # 63) on :
No miracle cures here. But a good cleaning with rapid remover and bon ami will brighten it up. No guarantee on how long it will look good or last though. Most of the time, yellowing won't be visible after the sign is re-installed. So I wouldn't worry too much about it. As for the UV coating, I was led to beleive that it just keeps the panel from turning yellow too quickly. Havin' fun, Checkers
Posted by cheryl nordby (Member # 1100) on :
Maybe re-letter with some reverse panels to make it less noticeable.
Posted by Stacy Hill (Member # 3195) on :
Thanks everyone for the 411. Unfortunately, the easiest solutions of flipping the face, or doing reverse vinyl are both out. For some reason the back side is really roughed up and the just got a new logo that they are matching exactly! I'll try a Bon Ami scrubbing, but otherwise I guess they'll get what they're willing to pay for!!! Thanks again, Stacy
Posted by Mick samsel (Member # 311) on :
Noticed you said polycarbonate. I believe what we did was clean up an acrylic panel, which I believe is different than polycarbonate (Lexan). We took down an old Dairy Queen sign and had to put new channels for letters on it. Just before we started to do the channels we cleaned with Rapid Prep...about 6 separate cleanings!! The 'yellow' would come off on each rag and would feel sticky as we cleaned. Finally the last time you could see all of the 'yellow' was gone and the towels slid easily over the surface. What was that? Just pollution from alongside the highway...something came off...looks real good now. Try it. Mick Samsel
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