Switch it off, wipe it with a dry or barely damp microfiber cloth, and leave it alone otherwise. That is the whole maintenance schedule.
No solvents, no glass cleaner, no polish. Acrylic hazes permanently when the wrong thing touches it, and that damage is not repairable.
The routine
Every few months, or whenever it looks dusty:
- ✓ Switch it off at the outlet and let it sit for a few minutes.
- ✓ Dust with a dry microfiber cloth, following the tube rather than scrubbing across it.
- ✓ For marks, dampen the cloth with water only and wring it out hard. Dry immediately with a second cloth.
- ✓ Use a soft dry brush for dust trapped between letters, or a can of compressed air held well back.
Never use these
| Product | What it does |
|---|---|
| Glass cleaner with ammonia | Crazes the acrylic permanently |
| Alcohol or sanitising wipes | Clouds acrylic, dulls the silicone |
| Acetone, thinners, white spirit | Dissolves the surface |
| Abrasive cream or scouring pad | Scratches everything |
| Paper towel | Fine scratches on acrylic over time |
Longer term
There is nothing to service. The tube is rated for 50,000 hours, there is no gas to top up and no starter to replace. Leaving it on does not wear it out meaningfully, and turning it on and off frequently does not either.
Two things do shorten a sign's life, and neither is cleaning. One is sustained direct sunlight, which will dull a printed backboard over years. The other is moisture on an indoor sign, which is what the outdoor build exists to prevent.
The most common damage we see is not neglect, it is enthusiasm. Somebody reaches for the glass cleaner because the sign looks like glass. Keep a dry microfiber cloth near it and never let anything else touch it, and the sign will outlast the room it is in.
Frequently asked questions
How do you clean an LED neon sign?
Switch it off, then wipe it with a dry microfiber cloth following the direction of the tube. For marks, dampen the cloth with plain water, wring it out hard, wipe, and dry immediately. Nothing else should ever touch it.
Can I use glass cleaner on a neon sign?
No. Ammonia based glass cleaners craze acrylic into a permanent fine haze, and the damage cannot be polished out. The same applies to alcohol wipes, acetone, thinners and most household sprays. Water only, on a cloth, never sprayed at the sign.
How do I clean between the letters?
A soft dry brush, a makeup brush or a paintbrush, gets into the gaps without pressure. Compressed air works too if you hold the can well back and keep it upright so no propellant comes out with the air.
Does an LED neon sign need any maintenance?
None beyond dusting. There is no gas to replace, no starter and no serviceable part. The tube is rated for 50,000 hours, and neither leaving it on nor switching it frequently causes meaningful wear.
What if my sign is greasy, in a kitchen or bar?
One drop of plain washing up liquid in a bowl of water is acceptable in that case. Wring the cloth almost dry, wipe once, follow with a clean damp cloth, then dry it. Do not let water run down into the tube ends or the cable entry.
We have made neon since 1998, and we still make it ourselves. If something here does not answer your question, ask us.
