Title: Cleaning a sign
Post by: Lulu on February 25, 2006, 09:05:12 am
I went on a road trip last week and picked up a porcelain coke sign. However, it has several areas that appear to have a tar like substance spilled on it. Anyone know what would be best to clean this stuff off without hurting the sign? I thought about some bug and tar remover they have for cars.
Hubby suggested gasolene. I'll post a pic once I get it cleaned. Appreciate any help on this.
Hubby suggested gasolene. I'll post a pic once I get it cleaned. Appreciate any help on this.
Title: Cleaning a sign
Post by: collecture on February 25, 2006, 09:44:30 am
Lulu,
I think the bug and tar remover should work fine, but just to be safe test it in an inconspicuous area.
I think the bug and tar remover should work fine, but just to be safe test it in an inconspicuous area.
Title: Cleaning a sign
Post by: sodaworks on February 25, 2006, 10:31:51 am
WD40
Title: Cleaning a sign
Post by: Kilroy on February 25, 2006, 11:55:54 am
Lulu,
I've used Meguiar’s bug & tar remover and happy with the results. small specks or thin splotches come off easily without affecting the paint, The thicker blobs I had took a little more effirt, and several applications to get through.
I've used Meguiar’s bug & tar remover and happy with the results. small specks or thin splotches come off easily without affecting the paint, The thicker blobs I had took a little more effirt, and several applications to get through.
Title: Cleaning a sign
Post by: rogerz on February 25, 2006, 01:00:01 pm
This may be a stupid statement but if it's truly porcelain nothing would hurt the finish, would it?
rz
rz
Title: Cleaning a sign
Post by: audiobeer on February 25, 2006, 03:05:38 pm
I second the WD-40 ideal. Works great!
Title: Cleaning a sign
Post by: MoonDawg on February 25, 2006, 04:21:13 pm
I'm with Roger.......nothing will melt porcelain
Title: Cleaning a sign
Post by: dr galaga on February 25, 2006, 04:40:44 pm
| Quote (MoonDawg @ Feb. 25 2006,4:21) |
| I'm with Roger.......nothing will melt porcelain |
Works toilet bowl cleaner will!
Title: Cleaning a sign
Post by: aspbear on February 25, 2006, 05:46:40 pm
WD 40 for small spots....Kerosene for large areas.
Title: Cleaning a sign
Post by: rogerz on February 25, 2006, 09:41:04 pm
Hey Dr WHY are you putting toilet bowl cleaner on your signs? 
rz
WHY are you putting toilet bowl cleaner on your signs? rz
Title: Cleaning a sign
Post by: Creighton on February 25, 2006, 10:16:32 pm
Yep, WD-40 or keosene. I've used TB cleaner to get soot and pollution off of telegraph/phone glass insulators. Potent stuff!!
Creighton
Creighton
Title: Cleaning a sign
Post by: collecture on February 25, 2006, 10:33:06 pm
I have heard that soaking things in rubbing alcohol will take latex paint off yet not harm the enamel paint. I have taken a cotton ball to enamel paint and it does nothing to it. Might work also with tar substances. I also agree with Rogerz and Moondawg that if it is true porcelain, nothing should be that detrimental to it.
Title: Cleaning a sign
Post by: aspbear on February 25, 2006, 10:35:55 pm
On true porcelain I have used 000 steel wool and water to remover paint with no harm to the procelain...
Title: Cleaning a sign
Post by: dr galaga on February 25, 2006, 11:04:06 pm
| Quote (rogerz @ Feb. 25 2006,9:41) |
| WHY are you putting toilet bowl cleaner on your signs? |
These signs are the same kind of porcelain that are on bathtubs and such, right? A bottle broke and we threw it in the bathtub while we cleaned the rest of the mess up. It etched the surface!
Title: Cleaning a sign
Post by: Lulu on February 26, 2006, 08:05:12 am
Thanks for all the ideas. I'm going to try to get it cleaned today and will post a picture.
Sno-bol will etch the old porcelain, too. Someone used it to remove rust from an antique sink--not good.
Sno-bol will etch the old porcelain, too. Someone used it to remove rust from an antique sink--not good.
Title: Cleaning a sign
Post by: Eric on February 26, 2006, 09:14:37 am
I second what aspbear says...
Let's see pics!
Let's see pics!
Title: Cleaning a sign
Post by: jasmine64 on February 26, 2006, 10:44:40 am
I'd try the least of the evil chemicals first. Which one is the most gentle?
WD-40? Then on down the line.
Show us the before and after pics so we can have some guidelines in
case any of us have a simular problem.
WD-40? Then on down the line.
Show us the before and after pics so we can have some guidelines in
case any of us have a simular problem.
Title: Cleaning a sign
Post by: Lulu on February 27, 2006, 11:41:15 am
Here's a couple of "before" pictures. I don't know when I'll find time to get it cleaned up.
Title: Cleaning a sign
Post by: sodaworks on February 27, 2006, 12:19:11 pm
Nice sign, It will clean up nicely. Looks like your getting a good collection of machines there.
Title: Cleaning a sign
Post by: Eric on February 27, 2006, 12:29:53 pm
keorsene.. I used it on my mustang when they repaved my road... didn't hurt the paint
won't hurt the porcelain....
Great sign!
won't hurt the porcelain....
Great sign!