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We have asked by a client to replace a set of 6'x4'vandalized light faces. The sign is integral to a cluster of other signs. The client was unhappy that the fluoro lights did not show a diffuse background and were too obvious at night as white bars in the sign. The vandalized signs were of the correct material for illuminated signs. Any suggestions for diffusing the lights? Kerry
-------------------- Kerry Wright Gladstone Australia Posts: 119 | From: Gladstone, Queensland, Australia | Registered: May 1999
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Kerry, I think you said it in the title - light box too narrow. In the US, this usually happens when the cabinet starts out with pan faces, and at some later time, someone puts in flat faces to save money.
Product Sign Supply has a diffuser film which goes on the back of the acrylic and helps to diffuse the light. I've never used it, so can't comment on how well it works.
Maybe someone else has a better idea. Vic G
-------------------- Victor Georgiou Danville, CA , USA Posts: 1746 | From: Danville, CA , USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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Most shallow boxes have a pan face. For those that don't know, its a sheet of plastic that has been formed kinda like the way a cooking sheet is. This puts the face further away from the light source and helps to elimate the "hot spots."
Like Vic said, some will put in a flat sheet to save money.
There are primarily two ways to solve the problem. One is to apply a sheet of translucent white vinyl to the back of the plastic to help diffuse the light source. The other is to spray a translucent white paint such as Grip Flex or Lacryl.
Personally, I prefer to use the vinyl. Its a lot less mess to clean up.
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Hiya Kerry, I've also seen a thin plasic sheet that basically does the same as the vinyl that Glenn & Vic mentioned. I've only seen it once in an interior sign cabinet that I relettered years ago. Maybe a plastic supplier can help. havin' fun, Checkers
-------------------- a.k.a. Brian Born www.CheckersCustom.com Harrisburg, Pa Work Smart, Play Hard Posts: 3775 | From: Harrisburg, Pa. U.S.A. | Registered: Nov 1998
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I had this same problem once and was told to cut a strip of black vinyl the length of the lamp and attach it to the front of the lamp to dissuse the light. I cut the vinyl in about 1/2" strips and gave it to the customer (he didn't want to pay for me to come out). He never applied it so I can't tell you how it worked. I can only tell you that the sign man that told me about this has been doing signs for 45 years so I trust his word.
[ March 06, 2002, 11:17 PM: Message edited by: Laura Butler ]
-------------------- Laura Butler Vision Graphics & Sign 4479 Welch Rd Attica, Mi 48412 Posts: 2855 | From: Attica, Mi, USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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Thanks Victor, Brian, Laura and (again) Glenn. I would have presumed the white transparent but was unsure if it would be effective and justify the cost. Unlike America and Canada, clients here are are tightfisted. I suspect that you are also correct in that the boxes were originally designed to be pan faces. Laura, I am intrigued by the black strips idea. These are bare bulbs. Do you apply the strips directly to the bulbs? Kerry
-------------------- Kerry Wright Gladstone Australia Posts: 119 | From: Gladstone, Queensland, Australia | Registered: May 1999
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Kerry, Laura's solution is one of those things that make you go "Duh, why didn't I think of that!" Its a great idea and black should work just fine. The only problem might be that the black absorbs light and gets hot and melts or cracks. What do you think about using that heat resistant metal tape used for sealing cracks on heating ducts? That would never crack with age.
Be sure to let us know how it actually works.
Vic G
-------------------- Victor Georgiou Danville, CA , USA Posts: 1746 | From: Danville, CA , USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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