What Is an Anti-Graffiti Overlaminate and Is It Worth It?
Published
Introduction
After years of sun exposure, strong winds, and wear and tear, it’s normal for traffic signs to need replacement. That falls under routine maintenance, but vandalism can force your hand to replace signs much sooner than expected. With an anti-graffiti overlaminate over the reflective sheeting, the sign face becomes much easier to clean.
What Is an Anti-Graffiti Overlaminate?
An overlaminate is a clear protective film that is applied over the traffic sign face. The UV-resistant anti-graffiti overlaminate we use extends the usable lifetime of the reflective sheeting underneath. For HIP, that number increases from about 10 years to 12 years, and for FCP, from about 12 years to 15 years.
Beyond the increase in durability, our anti-graffiti overlaminate comes with many benefits:
- Helps protect reflective sheeting
- Helps the sheeting keep its reflectivity longer
- Extends sign service life
- Makes cleaning easier
Can Overlaminate Be Applied After Purchase?
The lamination process is permanent, so the film can’t be removed. It also can’t be applied after we’ve manufactured and sent out the traffic sign. Lamination needs a smooth, clean surface to best connect with the reflective sheeting. So decide before you order. It’s included on our Street Name Signs, and for other signs, contact us when you order.
How Does Anti-Graffiti Overlaminate Protect Signs?
Vandalism can severely damage the sign face, and sometimes the traffic sign can’t be recovered. Although an anti-graffiti overlaminate can’t prevent all damage to a sign, it helps protect against three types of damage: graffiti, stickers, and environmental wear.
Graffiti
The anti-graffiti overlaminate helps you remove spray paint and permanent marker from the sign face. With the right cleaning products, the sign face is more likely to stay intact. Make sure not to use harsh or abrasive cleaners, which can damage the overlaminate and the reflective sheeting underneath.
Stickers and Decals
The overlaminate makes it easier to remove stickers and the adhesive residue that they leave behind. Event stickers, promotional art, and unauthorized advertisements often peel off cleanly.
Environmental Wear
The UV-resistant film slows sun fading, and helps protect against dirt buildup and vehicle residue from heavy traffic. Routine cleaning and maintenance can become easier and faster.
What It Can’t Protect Against
Anti-graffiti overlaminate only helps protect the sign face. The film can’t stop bent signs, gunshot damage, or theft. When there’s permanent damage to the aluminum sign itself, replacement is the only way to go. To better protect against theft, install signs using our Vandal-Resistant Bolts and Set Screws.
Which Signs Benefit Most from Anti-Graffiti Protection?
When signs are exposed and accessible to the public, anti-graffiti protection is especially important. The protective layer of overlaminate creates graffiti-resistant street signs, parking signs, and wayfinding signs in the following locations:
Street Name Signs
As one of the most common signs on the road, Street Name Signs are easily targeted and vandalized. A sign protected by an overlaminate helps HOAs, subdivisions, municipalities, and campuses quickly clean their signs instead of replacing them. Our Street Name Signs include anti-graffiti film at no extra charge (see our Street Name Sign FAQ), so you can design yours in our custom street sign builder with protection already built in.
Regulatory Signs
The anti-graffiti overlaminate protects Stop Signs, Yield Signs, and other Regulatory Signs, which are common targets for vandalism. This issue isn’t limited to signs in school zones or parks because parking lots, residential roads, and shopping centers often face the same challenge.
Guide Signs
Guide Signs are within easy reach in walkable neighborhoods, in parking lots, and at recreational centers. Their placement makes them a more accessible target for graffiti and other types of damage. Low-mounted signs, such as parking and pedestrian signs, are the easiest targets. With our overlaminate, cleaning traffic signs in parks, schools, and campuses doesn’t take as much time.
How Does It Compare to Replacing Signs?
Replacing a traffic sign costs more than just the sign itself. Sending out a crew means that time and resources are directed away from other projects. An overlaminate adds little to the cost of a new sign and adds years to its life. On our Street Name Signs, it’s included at no extra charge. Not all vandalism or environmental damage can be prevented, but the overlaminate makes it more likely that a vandalized sign can be cleaned instead of replaced.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can anti-graffiti film be added to an existing sign?
Not to ours. The film is applied when the sign is manufactured and can’t be added after it ships.
How do you clean graffiti off a sign with overlaminate?
Use a cleaner recommended for sign overlaminates and a soft cloth. Avoid abrasive pads and harsh solvents.
Do Street Name Signs come with anti-graffiti film?
Ours do, at no extra charge.
Conclusion
Anti-graffiti overlaminate on traffic signs not only provides vandalism protection, but it increases the sheeting’s durability to extend its usable lifetime. Longer-lasting sheeting helps signs stay above the MUTCD minimum retroreflectivity levels longer (2A.22), so you replace them less often. So, is it worth it? For most signs within reach of the public, yes. Just remember to add it when you order, since it can’t be added later. For more, see Custom Street Name Signs for HOAs, Neighborhoods, and Private Roads.
