Dog Blog

Summertime is almost here, and with it comes more sunshine. While this may be cause for celebration for all those beach-goers and outdoorsy types, if you’re a sign owner, that’s not always the case. The strong summer sun can cause exterior signs to fade, making them harder for your visitors and customers to read. However, there are ways to help prevent this from happening.

Shade: A Simple Solution

This may seem like a no-brainer, but keeping your signs in a fully or even partially shaded area can definitely help keep them from fading. If there’s a large tree near your property, consider strategically placing your sign near or underneath of it. Just make sure that the tree’s branches don’t hang down too much, obstructing your sign. That would defeat the purpose of putting the sign there!

Polyurethane Sealers and Wood Preservers

For exterior signs made of wood, using a wood preserver before you paint or decorate the sign is a good idea. This will help the paint stay on the wood longer. After you’ve painted your sign, you can also apply a polyurethane sealer to the finished product. Just make sure the paint is dry, then put the sealer on. This will help keep the paint from cracking, peeling, or fading in the sun. The sealer will also help with preserving the wood, making it last longer.

Consider the Material of Your Sign

Often, just choosing the right material for your exterior sign is the best way to ward off any problems. Wood, while initially beautiful and rustic-looking, is sometimes problematic, since it is sensitive to weather elements such as wind, rain and sun. Some metals, such as aluminum, will fade eventually, but not as quickly as wood will. Water-resistant and sun-resistant laminate are choices you may wish to consider for your exterior sign. Like their names say, they will resist water and sun damage.

Restore or Replace?

Eventually, most exterior signs, after several years, will fade due to the sun. This is something that cannot be helped. When the time comes, you may want to consider either restoring the sign with a fresh paint job or replacing the sign entirely. Depending on the size, shape, material and weight of the sign, one option may be more appealing than the other. Whatever you decide, Black Dog Signs is here to help with all of your sign needs. Call us now for a free quote.