Maybe you’re not familiar with monument signs. Well, they’re signs that basically have a low profile with hardly any space between them and the ground. They’re usually made of metal, faux stone, foam, wood, or other building materials that pretty much support permanent structures. You’ve seen them in front of churches, schools, malls, industrial areas, and other properties.
You want to keep a monument sign clean so anyone passing by it can see what the sign represents and what it says. A monument sign needs to be clear to show a good representation of the business or company it represents. The reputation of your business depends on how your sign appears when someone looks at it close up and from a distance.
With monument signs, cleaning them involves a few steps to get the job done right. Here are some guidelines to follow when cleaning and caring for monument signs.
Simple Cleaning and Maintenance
With a monument sign being closer to the ground, you may need a long-handled broom, refuse bag, rake, or other tools to clear away leaves, tree branches, cobwebs, plastic bags, paper garbage, birds’ nests, and other debris before actually washing the sign.
You also want to watch for different mold growth, dirt, and grime. Make sure you remove any debris on the surface of the sign. Avoid build-up that can happen rather quickly. You want to return the sign to its original form.
Cleaning Materials
Before you start the cleaning process, gather the materials and cleaning products. They include:
- A hose or sprayer with nozzle attachment
- Bleach
- Mild dish soap
- Scrub brushes – at least one long-handled one
- Measuring Cup
The formula for cleaning includes:
- 3 parts water
- 1 part bleach
- A good amount of mild dish soap added to the water and bleach
Cleaning Process
Whatever foliage surrounds the monument sign, you’ll want to spray over any plants in the sign’s area. Get them good and wet. That’s making sure that any of the cleaning solutions will be diluted enough to not harm any of the plants. You don’t want to harm any of the foliage in the area.
It may tempt you to pressure-wash your sign ahead of any cleaning but it can cause chipping of paint and other damages, so you should probably avoid it.
Before you apply any of the cleaning solutions, you want to pre-rinse the front area of the monument sign. The sign should be wet first. The rinse should clear away any loose dirt and provide a base to apply the cleaning mixture. You want the front of the monument to be thoroughly wet. When it’s humid outside, spray down the front and back of the sign separately before you apply any cleaning solution. You’ll get better results with this process.
Rather than spray the entire monument sign with the cleaning solution, you’ll want to first test a small amount of the cleaner on a small area of the sign. Make sure there’s no unfavorable reaction with the bleach in the cleaning solution with any of the lettering or graphics on the monument such as plastic, metal, or vinyl.
Actual Washing
After you’re through testing the cleaning solution, you’re ready to clean the sign. Spray or scrub it using the cleaning solution. Once you’ve cleaned the sign and rinsed it, repeat the process if necessary. Make sure it’s thoroughly clean.
Now that you have tested your solution, spray or scrub your sign down using the cleaning solution. Once your monument sign has been covered and rinsed, you can repeat it as necessary. If your monument sign is clean to your satisfaction, you are done. Conversely, if there are still areas that need more attention – we recommend proceeding to Step 7 for a deeper clean.
The same type of cleaner can be used on both acrylic, aluminum, and other signs; however, you want to avoid window cleaners and other harsh cleaners on signs. They contain chemicals that are damaging to the finish.
Touch up Kit
Besides cleaning monument signs with a pre-rinse and soap and water cleaning, you’ll want to put together a touch-up kit for any damage or fading due to neglect. This indicates the signs will need immediate repair. Caring for monument signs can be a lot easier with this kit in your arsenal.
- Touch up paint in different colors
- Small brushes and sponge rollers
- A tray for rolling
- Spray bottle with soap and water solution
- Canned air
- A brush for detailing
- A cloth that’s lint-free
Other Tips that Go Along with Cleaning
- Always be on the lookout for your outdoor signs. Maintain them in tip-top condition. You want your company or business to look well kept and professional.
- Again, don’t pressure wash monument signs. As a substitute, either use a lint-free cloth and soap and water to wipe away dirt, grime, and debris or take a clean dry paintbrush to clean away dirt and debris.
- Any heavy foliage or trees in or near a monument sign should be kept trimmed back to stay clear of any dribble from the tree, limbs, and leaves.
- Use insect insecticides around monument signs to stop spiders and other insects. You want the area free from spider webs that accumulate dust, dirt, leaves, and dried plant material.
- If there is a sprinkling system in the area, make sure you direct the sprinkler heads away from the sign. You’ll avoid hard water damage to your sign.
Cleaning it Yourself or Calling in the Pros
Maybe you don’t have time to clean your own monument sign. If that’s the case, you’ll want to call in professional cleaners for more in-depth cleaning and maintenance. They’ll be able to help you keep up with cleaning the sign and caring for it regularly. Sometimes you need the skill of sign experts to get the job done, especially when you’re not on-site and are simply too busy with other aspects of the business. You want your monument sign to reflect the best, no matter the circumstances.
If you’re in business and want more information about monument signs for advertising or you just have general questions concerning maintenance or sign repair, call Tupp Signs at 302-322-1600. We know signs and can help you discover the right one for your business and how to care for it.