posted
I had asked if anyone knew of a way to clean the dirt off these signfaces. Thanks for your replies, but I called the manufacturer today and this is what they told me. It seems that there was a problem with the adhesive on the protective mask that came with the product. It's not clear exactly what happened but the adhesive did something to the painted surface. They suggested that I mask off all the vinyl copy and then clean with oven cleaner. (Yeah right - like I'm going to mask off every letter individually!) Bottom line - I'm stuck with an inferior product out there with my reputation attached to it. Now I get to decide whether to eat over $1000 in replacement costs for these signs or forfeit a good customer.
The manufacturer told me that they have now changed the mask to a static-cling type and thus have eliminated this problem. The new mask is clear with manufacturer's name in red letters. (A lot of good that does me!) My advice to anyone who has this product with a blue plastic mask over the aluminum is to throw it away.
-------------------- Jean Shimp Shimp Sign & Design Co. Jacksonville Beach, Fl Posts: 1266 | From: Jacksonville Beach, Fl. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Try T-N-T truck wash concentrate from ZEP. It cleans the heck out of trucks, so it should do the same for you.
Have a great one!
-------------------- 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: 6451 | From: Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Registered: Jun 1999
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posted
Jean, Roger should be stepping in here and rightfully so. Any time I remove protective sheeting, I can usually see a coating of adhesive on the aluminum. I can also see Rapid Tac products clean it off. Did you perfform that step? I would try a couple of things before eating a grand.
posted
The key here is CLEAN IT, CLEAN IT AND CLEAN IT AGAIN. When you assume that any new material or surface(including autos) must be clean enough, it's not. I've learned the hard way.
Wipe EVERYTHING down, including banners, aluminum and alumalite with Rapid products or adhesive/wax/grease remover before painting or application of vinyl. You just don't know what the substrate has been contaminated with before it got to you.
I've found that some of those protective coatings leave residue which grabs dirt and road grime, etc.
I would try my best to clean these signs up, then prep carefully in the future.
posted
Jean, It would seem that since the manufacture has admitted there was a problem, they should replace the panels and reimburse you for time and materials. Seems as if a good will gesture is in order here. Or tell them to send a guy down to do the oven cleaner trick. Oven cleaner is nasty stuff. I can see getting it under the mask and eating into the vinyl. What a mess your in! Let us know how it turns out.
-------------------- Rob Thomas 3410 Ketcham Ct Beautiful Springs FL 34134 Posts: 965 | From: Bonita Springs, Florida USA | Registered: Feb 2000
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posted
Robert, I agree with you. I think it would have been nice to be compensated. Anything would have been better than nothing. But nothing was offered.
-------------------- Jean Shimp Shimp Sign & Design Co. Jacksonville Beach, Fl Posts: 1266 | From: Jacksonville Beach, Fl. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Rapid Tac Remover. Used it today on a similar problem. The stuff is amazing.
Roger, you should start a thread about alternative uses for some of you products. I've used the remover to get stains off my bathroom counters that nothing else will touch. Also, I dont remember which product it was(it may have been the remover. I'll have to ask my mom to be sure what she sent home with me in an unmarked bottle) but I have a wall of windows at home(2 stories worth) that I have cleaned with it and it works way better than any glass cleaner.
If we see ya doing an infomercial, I may regret ever having mentioned this
posted
Hey Jean I ran into a similar problem the other day. Had a customer I made a sign for last summer,with 3 rider panels hanging below it. Installed sign & 2 rider panels. Had pre-cut the third panel & had it stored for her until she was ready as that part of her business wasn't going yet. Lo & behold she called the other day wanting her 3rd panel. I could not even remove that "blue plastic" mask - had to cut a new piece. Even tried a blow drier to no avail. Tried to remove some of it from pieces from my scrap pile after that, same problem. That stuff is bad. Will have to throw away a bunch of scraps now - Carl
-------------------- Carl Wood Olive Branch, Ms Posts: 1392 | From: Olive Branch,MS USA | Registered: Nov 1999
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posted
Thanks Jacki!! I appreciate your appreciation !!
Nope you won't see me in any "Infomercials" But, if I sell enough Rapid Tac products(and telephone services) you'll see me sailing in a 50+ foot Catamaran! lol.
Those Catamarans are soooo expencive, just like the components in Rapid Remover!!! Roger
-------------------- Roger Bailey Rapid Tac Incorporated 186 Combs Dr. Merlin Oregon 97532 Posts: 3020 | From: Merlin Oregon | Registered: Dec 1998
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