Just wondering, is it worth it to try to re-use lexan or just replace with new. Here's what I have. The signs are 3x6' on white lexan and are backlit. They are about 7 years old and have vinyl lettering on them now. I'm trying to weigh the cost of labor to remove old lettering against the cost of buying new panels. And if I can remove the old lettering, will I have a clean panel or will there be a ghost of where the old lettering was. This is out of my area of expertise but it is for a body shop that has been an excellent pinstriping account for many years. He wants the sign layout to look like the lettering I did on his shop trucks.
Posted by Si Allen (Member # 420) on :
7 year old Lexan? Forget it! Start with new!
Posted by roger bailey (Member # 556) on :
I would heed Sis' advise here, but if you don't then use a "bodyshop heat tree lamp" to heat up the lexan, then peel vinyl, wash off adhesive with Rapid Remover.
Roger Posted by Matty McQuilkin (Member # 4156) on :
Have to agree start with fresh lexan.
[ November 12, 2003, 02:01 AM: Message edited by: Matty McQuilkin ]
Posted by Kathy Joiner (Member # 1814) on :
Roger, you forgot to tell her that she can polish it up with Rapid Clear.
Shame on you!
Posted by Curtis hammond (Member # 2170) on :
the time and labor in volved will cost far more than a new sheet of pelxi .. a sheet here is 70 bux..
Plus it may be brittle, it will have sun stains, it aint worth it, as Si says, star with a new sheet.
Posted by Steve Nuttle (Member # 2645) on :
For what it's worth, ditto!
Posted by David Harding (Member # 108) on :
Lexan is bad about yellowing in the UV. I have to agree with all the other comments--replace it.
Posted by Dale Horn (Member # 4037) on :
What the heck is Rapid Clear ?
The 20/20 call is to replace the Lexan and don't look back.
If your client chooses not to some things to look out for- Does the new sheet need to be custom cut to fit in the frame you're using (some have a strip on the back and they slide into EX-7 channel frame. Did the previous installer trim layers on the graphics when the panel was made (leaves cuts where they may show). Often polycarbonate sheets scratch easily and are quite dirty(very easy to add a few scratches of your own if you have to clean them off). Get ready for a few blisters when you heat that vinyl and pull it off. Don't forget your time is worth something and these 'fix-me-uppers' always take more time than a person budgets - charge cost plus.
Posted by Joey Madden (Member # 1192) on :
Kathy, Kurt Silva is not a " she " unless he had a sex change from the last time I saw him!
Posted by Kurt Silva (Member # 257) on :
Thank you all so much for the advice. It is very much appreciated. New lexan it will be!
Posted by Rodney gold (Member # 4065) on :
Why are you using lexan for this job , its a high impact polycarbonate and is way overkill for this job , its used where one needs a very robust medium to guard agianst rocks and other objects impacting it. 3mm opal exruded perspex would do. Proper Lexan wont yellow at all - are you sure the substrate IS lexan - sounds pretty odd that this would be used for backlit
Posted by Kathy Joiner (Member # 1814) on :
Joey, hehe guess I'm getting older than I thought. Never met a gal named Kurt.
Kurt. Please excuse Maw Maw.
Posted by Ray Rheaume (Member # 3794) on :
![[FYI]](graemlins/fyi.gif)
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Shame on you!