posted
Hello. I installed a swinging sign about a year ago. Just got a call from the company asking what I can do to make it stop squeaking in the wind. Sign is sandwiched between 2 steel straps which hang from steel bracket. Does anyone have any ideas how to deal with this situation? Thanks much! SE
-------------------- Sarah F. Evans Appalachian Signs and Design 186 Parkside Road Boone, North Carolina 28607 Posts: 97 | From: Boone, NC | Registered: Dec 2006
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posted
Something you may want to try....there is a lubricant....can't think of the name of it. But it is a waxy oil product that is made primarily to preserve braided steel cable (like boom trucks) It comes in an aerosol can with a plastic tube (like WD-40) and will spray a good distance (like between your sign panels). It penetrates and clings to the metal and kinda hardens into a waxy consistency, so it stays in place. Check with some wrecker companies, big sign companies, etc....places that use steel cables. Seems it may be called Waxoyl, or something like that.
posted
It is for this very reason, and a few more I'll mention, I refuse to design, fabricate, or hang exterior swinging signs for customers.
(Swinging signs are number two on my list of signs I hate, second only to magnets, ie: the stubborn-customer's 'permanent' magnets notion) . . .
Back to swinging: If it's something ungodly heavy, ex: one customer hung a 4ft saw blade so that the chains are spread at the top to help prevent some movement. . . you might think it takes a hurricaine to create movement with that thing . . . but in a good wind it does move back and forth . . . have'nt seen it in a few years but I bet the nice automotive finish has rusted in those two spots.
Where you have sounds of squeaking you are having friction and wear. Over time, and it does'nt take long especially in open places where wind is non-stop, the chain & eye, or whatever hardware is moving, is going to wear out and need to be replaced.
Also where you have this kind of constant movement you can not prevent rust. When you have rusting hardware, you eventually have rusty streaks down the sign face(s). No matter what you put on it, silicone, WD, wax, rubber, you name it, movement is eventually going to rub it away.
One thing that might help for a while is to find a particular kind of hallowed rubber washer the size of your hardware . . . similar to a tire in that it is made with an open side to fit, like a tire fits on a rim, and turn it inside-out so as to fit inside the eye (I think they make washers that way too) But you gotta know, eventually, it will wear out as well. You can even cut a little peice of tire and put in there of ya want.
Meanwhile, (I have almost single-handedly removed or repaired every swinging sign in this town . . .lol)
I've repaired swinging signs, which also almost always need repair after storms, by replacing the swinging hardware arrangement with flat-bar bolted or welded directly to the bracket and bolted or welded directly to the sign frame, andn then bolting the two plates together (for simple removal if needed). And all primed and painted, of course. Usually I can design something that 'goes with' the existing sign and looks pleasant. I also dip hardware in a clear adhesion promoter solution and then paint it. It'll look good for a long time.
Some very slight movement of a hanging sign is fine. Having the whole thing stabilized is the key to preventing constant, destructive movement.
Swinging signs just don't last, and are just a constant maintenance issue and the worst thing is when you see one hanging by only one side . . . looks like it's dangling there, hanging on for dear life hoping some one will rescue it from falling, thereby really gettin' dinged-up.
Good luck gal, with whatever you decide to do . . .
posted
White Grease is what I would use for lubricant.
I would also try a piece of Teflon wrapped around the shaft of the holder.
-------------------- Bruce Bowers
DrCAS Custom Lettering and Design Saint Cloud, Minnesota
"Things work out best for the people who make the best of the way things work out." - Art Linkletter Posts: 6454 | From: Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Registered: Jun 1999
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posted
You guys are awesome!!! I can't express my gratitude for these helpful responses. I think that the biggest concern of mine at this point is...how often will I be dealing with this. Will the client expect me to do this for nothing???? Thanks again for your expertise. SE
-------------------- Sarah F. Evans Appalachian Signs and Design 186 Parkside Road Boone, North Carolina 28607 Posts: 97 | From: Boone, NC | Registered: Dec 2006
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What you have to consider is whether the ten bucks it is going to cost you worth the amount of goodwill you are going to create?
Probably.
-------------------- Bruce Bowers
DrCAS Custom Lettering and Design Saint Cloud, Minnesota
"Things work out best for the people who make the best of the way things work out." - Art Linkletter Posts: 6454 | From: Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Registered: Jun 1999
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posted
I forgot to mention, since your sign is a 'straps-over-a-rod' arrangement, you can put some screws thru the top of the strap & rod, or bolt all the way thru the rod. The sign would still have some moevment, and also not be movin' left and right which can often happen with strapped signs only adding to the wear I mentioned above.
Another reason some swinging signs move too much is because they are entirely too light. They'd really need to be very heavy but that can also cause problems with the wall mounted part of the bracket and so forth.
-------------------- Signs Sweet Home Alabama
oneshot on chat
"Look like a girl, act like a lady, think like a man, work like a dog" Posts: 5758 | From: "Sweet Home" Alabama | Registered: Mar 2003
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