How To Clean A Neon Sign
Neon signs can be a great way to draw attention to your brand or create a certain ambiance in a space. Their luminosity shines most brightly after dark, but keeping them clean is vital for maintaining their brilliance. In this post, we will look at how to clean a neon sign to ensure maximum brightness and longevity for your products.
Key Takeaways
- Dirt can diminish the brightness of your neon light signs
- Always unplug your neon signs before cleaning
- Start by removing dust, then dirt, and finally stains
- It will take slightly different approaches to remove each type of dirt
- Regular cleaning is an essential part of long-term maintenance
- LED tubing is usually easier and quicker to clean than glass
Table of contents
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How To Clean Your Neon Light
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Things You Need To Clean Your Neon Light
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How Long Does It Take To Clean A Neon Sign?
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Why Is It Important To Clean Neon Signs?
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Precautions To Take While Cleaning The Neon Lights
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How To Maintain Your Neon Sign For A Long Time?
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How Do I Clean My Neon Signs If It’s Made Of Glass
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How Do I Clean My Indoor Neon Sign
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How Do I Clean My Outdoor Neon Signs
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How Do I Clean My Bar Neon Light
How To Clean Your Neon Light
Let's explore several methods for keeping neon lights clean. Regardless of the type of dirt you are dealing with, the cleaning process doesn't have to be challenging. Check out the following methods to learn how to clean specific types of dirt from your neon signs. For general maintenance, you may want to apply all three methods.
How To Clean Dust From Your Neon Sign
Dust can accumulate on neon lights, reducing their radiance from the tubes. The process of how to clean neon signs to free them of dust is as follows:
Step 1: Unplug
Many people keep their neon signs running constantly. However, when cleaning neon lights, it is crucial to switch them off for safety reasons. Make sure to switch off the sign and unplug it before getting started.
Step 2: Use the brush
Once the sign is unplugged, start using the brush to remove dust from the surface. Ensure you cover the full length of the neon tubes to ensure a thorough approach to cleaning neon signs.
How To Use Water To Clean Your Neon Sign
If there are any stubborn build-ups of dust or grime on your sign, it may be time to use the water. Read on for how to clean a neon light that has a little more dirt encrusted.
Step 1: Use the cloth for stubborn dirt or grime
When you have finished with the brush, look for more stubborn dust accumulations. Tackle them with a cloth dipped in water and gently rub the affected area. Be cautious not to scrub too hard or flood the tubing with water.
Step 2: Remove the water and inspect
Once finished, dry off any remaining water with a second cloth or a towel. Take a close look to confirm that all dust has been removed from the neon sign.
How To Remove Stains From Your Neon LED Light
After completing the previous process, you may still spot some particularly stubborn marks or stains. This is when you need to proceed with the final part of getting your neon lights clean.
Step 1: Mix the ammonia with water
Mix about ½ a cup of household ammonia with ½ a cup of water. Dip a cloth into the mixture and squeeze out any excess. Next, use the cloth to gently rub the stains or encrusted dirt to loosen and lift.
Step 2: Rinse with water
Once you have removed the dirt using the ammonia solution, you must rinse with a cloth dampened with water. Gently wipe away the ammonia solution then dry off with your towel.
Step 3: Perform a final inspection
The tubing should now be clear of dust, dirt and stains. Give the surface a visual inspection and wipe off any remaining blemishes with a dry cloth. Once satisfied, plug it back in and enjoy the renewed brightness.
Things You Need To Clean Your Neon Light
It’s important to have the right tools and materials to hand when preparing for cleaning neon signs. To carry out the full process to clear dust, dirt and stains, as listed above, you will need the following:
- A small, dry brush like a toothbrush
- Some cloths
- Some water in a container
- A second container of water
- A bottle of household ammonia (or a chemical-free alternative)
- A towel
When you first inspect your neon signs, it might not be clear whether you will need to engage in the full procedure using all of these materials. If you engage in this process of how to clean neon lights regularly, you should avoid the worst of the dirt and stains from building up. But it is best to have everything to hand when you start cleaning so that you can be as efficient as possible.
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How Long Does It Take To Clean A Neon Sign?
The full process of cleaning neon signs shouldn’t take more than a few minutes per sign. For the most encrusted dirt, if you have everything prepared from the outset, it should be clean in 10-15 minutes.
It’s important to note that it is generally quicker and easier to clean LED light signs because of the polymer coating on the tubes. However, you should still unplug them from the power source if you are using water. Be prepared and avoid cutting corners if you want to get the best results from your cleaning.
Why Is It Important To Clean Neon Signs?
The main reason to learn how to clean a neon light sign is because doing so maintains their brightness and longevity. Common issues that have a negative impact on these light signs include:
- Dust
- Dirt
- Stains
As these things accumulate on the surface of the light tubes, they obstruct the radiant glow and reduce the visual impact of the signs.
By regularly cleaning neon lights, you can ensure they continue to draw attention and convey the intended ambiance or messaging. Vibrant neon lights can help promote a positive impression of your business, strengthening your brand image and making events or venues into welcoming environments for guests or customers.
Dirt and stains diminish the impact and brightness of your neon light signs. If you keep them clean, you can extend their lifespan and ensure they have a positive impact on anyone who sees them.
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Make Your Custom Neon SignsPrecautions To Take While Cleaning The Neon Lights
The main precautions to consider when cleaning neon lights revolve around the risks associated with mixing electrics and water. It is widely known that water can damage electrical components, and its conductive nature can lead to shocks or electrocution if live circuitry is exposed to water. Therefore, when explaining how to clean neon bar lights, we emphasize the importance of the following precautions to ensure safety and prevent any potential hazards:
- Switch off and unplug the sign from power outlets before cleaning
- Avoid flooding the tubing with water; only use damp cloths
- Dry the tubing after cleaning so that nothing is wet when you reconnect to the power outlet
Also, if you are using ammonia or any other cleaning agent, it might be wise to wear rubber gloves. This will avoid any irritation to your skin from using the chemicals.
How Not To Damage The Neon Light While Cleaning
In explaining how to clean neon signs, it is essential to include considerations for preventing damage to the neon light. To ensure your sign remains undamaged during the cleaning process, follow these important steps and precautions:
- If your sign is mounted or hanging, leave it in place to carry out the cleaning process
- Apply the least amount of water necessary to clean the tubing and keep water away from electrical components
- Always rub the tubing gently with brushes, cloths or towels
- Dry everything after cleaning so that no lingering water remains
Follow these tips to ensure you get a clean and bright neon sign without any damage during the cleaning process.
Can Neon Signs Get Wet?
It is safe for neon signs to get wet. But it is not recommended to flood the tubing with water as it could run down to areas where the tubing connects to the mount and get inside the structure. Also, you should avoid exposing any areas containing electrical components to water, including where the power cable enters the unit.
- Use minimal amounts of water during cleaning
- Always dry the water away after you have cleaned the dirt
How To Maintain Your Neon Sign For A Long Time?
You have learned how to clean neon signs, but what can you do to maximize their longevity? In the context of using LED tube lighting instead of classic neon gas signs, follow these guidelines to maintain your sign for the long term and extend its lifespan as much as possible.
- Engage in regular cleaning to avoid excessive dirt build-ups
- Always follow the cleaning guidelines laid out in this article
- Avoid exposure to excessive water or harsh chemicals
- Switch the signs off when not in use
- Check electrical components once or twice a year and replace as necessary
- Position your sign to avoid environmental damage of tampering
These neon light signs are designed to have a long lifespan. You can promote that with some simple maintenance and common-sense plans to avoid damage. This will ensure you get maximum impact from your signs for the longest possible time.
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How Do I Clean My Neon Signs If It’s Made Of Glass
For glass neon signs, like the classic neon gas lights, you can still follow the same process to get neon lights clean as described earlier. The only things to note are that you need to be extra careful not to break the glass, and it may take a little longer to clean dirt away. So, use the following process:
- Use a brush to remove dust
- Use water and a cloth to gently wipe away more stubborn dirt
- Employ ammonia on a cloth to remove stains and other encrusted dirt
Always take care when scrubbing, wiping or rubbing those delicate glass tubes. And be sure to use minimal water and wipe away any excess after you complete each stage of the cleaning process to avoid damaging your glass neon signs.
How Do I Clean My Indoor Neon Sign
Use the process described earlier to keep your indoor neon lights clean. Regularly check for dust build-up and consider giving them a clean at least once a month to avoid excessive accumulation of dirt.
If your sign is mounted or hanging, it may be best to clean it in place rather than trying to take it down. If it is only freestanding, you can take it wherever you like for cleaning. Always remember to unplug before using any water to clean your indoor neon sign.
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Make Your Custom Neon SignsHow Do I Clean My Outdoor Neon Signs
Outdoor neon signs are exposed to the elements. It is often wise to encase them or provide other protection against harsh conditions, such as heavy rainfall or extreme heat. This can significantly extend their longevity and keep them looking vibrant and appealing for a longer period.
With regards to how to clean neon lights that are kept outdoors, it's essential to note that they will likely require more frequent cleaning due to exposure to the elements. Check them at least every fortnight and remove any accumulated dirt and debris as needed. Follow the cleaning process described earlier in this article, ensuring the light is switched off and preferably unplugged before cleaning. Since outdoor neon lights are often mounted in their outdoor location, it is recommended to clean them in place.
How Do I Clean My Bar Neon Light
You can keep bar neon lights clean using the same method as for other neon light types. Check them at least once a month and employ the most relevant cleaning method (or perhaps all three) as required. As long as you keep on top of a regular cleaning and maintenance schedule, you should avoid excessive dirt build-up.
As always, remember to unplug the neon sign before cleaning. And use minimal water, remembering to wipe away the excess once finished.
Frequently Asked Questions About How To Clean A Neon Sign
How To Clean A Neon Sign?
Cleaning a neon sign is about first removing dust, then more stubborn dirt and finally stains and encrusted grime. Use a brush, a wet cloth and household ammonia as appropriate and always clean regularly.
Things You Need To Clean Your Neon Light
You will need a dry brush, clean cloths, water, household ammonia and a towel to clean your neon lights. Depending on the amount of dirt, you may not need to use all of them.
How To Maintain Your Neon Sign For A Long Time?
Regular cleaning is important for long-term maintenance of neon signs. Learn how to clean neon lights and take other measures like unplugging when not in use.
