Dibond Durability, advice needed please?

[John Lacey]

His everyone, i have been asked to supply a few small signs for a building that faces the sea. The customer wants some sort of guarantee of longevity. I cant find any info about Dibond lifespan in salty conditions. My initial idea was to flood coat the panels wrapping vinyl around the back so covering the exposed edges. Should that make it last a bit longer? Thanks in advance for any advice.

[Chris Wilson]

Don’t over spec.

I’d tell them you understand the problem, so what your going to do is wrap the vinyl round the back so that any shrink caused by salt won’t be noticeable and not something you wouldnt normally do. That your using a polymeric vinyl at 5-7 years or whatever and panel should outlast that in normal conditions. You can’t change the sea.

I think if someone explained to me things like this and then if someone came along with a cheaper quote and promising the world I’d be raising my eyebrows.. but then maybe that’s cause of what happens in our industry.

• This reply was modified 1 month ago by  Chris Wilson.

[David McDonald]

Hi

I don’t believe any ACM manufacturer gives long term warranties / guarantees , rather just guidance on life expectancy – totally different. Coastal locations will accelerate weathering, salt air etc. And covering with edge wrapped vinyl will make it look good for longer – a decent self coloured vinyl finish will outlast a self coloured ACM, definitely a good idea. Ask your supplier to give you a data sheet / statement on life expectancy and pass that on to the customer and give them your own warranty of 12 months only,

Cheers

Dave

[Simon Worrall]

If you wrap round the edges the ACM will be fine underneath as long as its mounted properly.

I would give him the standard vinyl guarantee for that location.

However the vinyl manufacturer might not guarantee an edge wrap unless it was a wrap vinyl

[John Hughes]

Just do them in 3mm solid aluminium and flood coat in cast. Job done. Doing them in composite is the cheap option.

[John Lacey]

I wholeheartedly agree with you, for the first 15 years of sign making i cut and powder coated aluminium sheet and its definitely more durable. However, i suspect that the price of 12swg aluminium would price the job out – someone would quote for hoarding and win the job anyway. I suppose i just care too much lol

[Gary Forbes]

someone would quote for hoarding and win the job anyway. I suppose i just care too much

@John-Lacey

Exactly, yet they seem to get away with it time and time again. annoying to say the least!