
Guideline – How to Repair Neon Sign
- Lights Burned Out. Sometimes some parts or sections of a neon sign or light can fuse over time, similar to any other light.
- Sections Cease Functioning. Sometimes some sections of the light or sign stop operating.
- Broken Transformer. ...
- Identify the Issue. ...
- Repairing a Damaged Section. ...
- Repairing a Faulty Transformer. ...
- For Neon Sign Repair, Contact Neur Lighting. ...
How do you repair neon sign?
Step-by-Step on How to Fix a Neon Sign if the Glass Tube is Faulty
- Step one – Trace out the old pattern. Take a pattern paper and trace out the existing neon tube (you are doing it to make sure you remember what the ...
- Step two – Scrape off the insulators. Hey Da Vinci! ...
- Step three – Prep the tube. Clean up the tube to prevent dust from settling in the tube during your repair process. ...
- Step four – Glassblowing. ...
Who repairs neon signs?
That interest led to an apprenticeship in the sign industry. In 1988, Benko founded his own neon repair company, Rocket City Neon, currently based in Camas, Washington. “What’s on display at the museum is maybe five to 10% of my collection,” he said ...
How do you make your own neon sign?
Method 2 Method 2 of 2: Block Letters
- Obtain a wooden board or piece of plywood to serve as a background for the sign. ...
- Choose a word or phrase whose letters use mostly straight edges. This is easier when it is written in capital letters.
- Print out the letters in the desired size, such as one letter per sheet of computer paper. ...
- Gather one blue and one red pen. ...
Can neon signs be repaired?
Wear gloves and a respirator mask when handling a neon sign in case the sign breaks and exposes you to the gas. One may also ask, can a broken neon sign be fixed? Neon signs can be repaired – if they was made properly in the first place.

Can a neon sign be fixed?
Although neon tubing is touted for being a budget-friendly and durable option for many businesses, it does have some drawbacks. Not all neon signs are made according to the same standard! The good news is that most neon signs can be repaired, but they have to meet certain criteria first.
How do you fix a neon sign that won't light up?
How to Troubleshoot Neon LightsCheck the voltage supply to the light and look for any loose connections. ... Look for broken wires, a shorted wire, extremely low voltage or defective tube section within the neon light system. ... Check for any leaks along the glass tube. ... Check that the transformer is still working properly.
How much does it cost to repair a broken neon sign?
Repair Costs If the neon is broken and need to be repaired or replaced, the repair would be about $200, with replacement cost being dependent on the size of the affected tube, and about $400 to remove and restore the affected neon. Of course, costs will vary depending on your location.
How do you restore a neon sign?
0:137:07Restoring a Vintage Neon Sign - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou can see here. This entire ring both of these rings actually used to be the color yellow. And onMoreYou can see here. This entire ring both of these rings actually used to be the color yellow. And on this one. It's supposed to be painted black on the back. So that it doesn't light up the background.
How do I fix my LED sign?
1:053:23led sign scrolling repair fix - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSimply do is just make sure that all these are connected connected like that you want to make sureMoreSimply do is just make sure that all these are connected connected like that you want to make sure all these wires inside need to be connected properly. In order for the lights to function correctly.
What causes neon lights to go out?
High voltage electrical wires connect the neon glass tubes to each other in the metal conduits. Due to extreme temperatures, electrical wires can burnout stopping all of or part of the sign from lighting up. Bad transformers: The glass tubes for the neon sign are illuminated with the use of a transformer.
How long do neon signs last?
between eight and 15 yearsMost neon signs are expected to last between eight and 15 years, although many continue to function for much longer than that. Leaving a sign switched on for prolonged periods can shorten its lifespan, and leave it at risk of overheating or sustaining damage from electrical surges.
Do neon lights burn out?
Neon signs can burn out, this is where all or part of the sign will stop glowing. There are various causes of this burnout. Bad transformers:- Neon signs glass tubes are illuminated by the use of transformers. If the transformer fails, the sign will not light up.
How do you change a neon sign on a transformer?
0:295:09neon power supply replacement - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTogether. The other lead comes down here runs to this end of this bulb. I'm going to take thisMoreTogether. The other lead comes down here runs to this end of this bulb. I'm going to take this sleeve off also. And twist the wires. Now that we have both leads off of the transformer.
How do you rewire a neon sign?
How to Wire a Neon SignSelect a transformer for your neon sign. Read the label behind the neon light. ... Twist together the wires from the transformer and the wires from the neon light tubes. ... Slide the rubber cap back on to cover the wiring.Plug the transformer into an outlet to test the neon sign.
How do you paint neon glass?
7:0922:24How to paint anime neon glass painting - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBasically you have to dab lighter you have to put less amounts of paint. And you have to make sureMoreBasically you have to dab lighter you have to put less amounts of paint. And you have to make sure um you do certain layers at certain times.
How much does it cost to refill a neon sign?
The glass was either filled with neon gas or argon gas, which contains a drop of mercury. The cost of repairing a simple break runs about $50 if neon and $60 if it had argon gas, as the tube has to be cleaned prior to being repaired.
Do neon signs take a lot of electricity?
LED neon signs are highly efficient for energy consumption Statistically, one foot of the conventional neon light absorbs about 20 watts of electricity per hour. In contrast, the same length and thickness of the LED neon tube can be consumed as low as 1.2 watts for the same duration.
Why do neon signs flicker?
In both neon and fluorescent lighting, if the voltage drops, or if air leaks in, the light will be unstable and flicker. This is very annoying if you happen to live opposite a large neon sign 'on the blink'!
How much does it cost to replace a neon sign transformer?
If your neon sign transformer is broken, it will need to be replaced. New transformers can cost about $200 on average, but can extend the life of your neon sign dramatically if there are no other problems. Neon sign transformer repair, however, requires a very steady hand and a knowledge of electrical wiring. You can watch this YouTube video on how to replace a broken transformer, or bring it to us and we’ll repair it for you.
Why does my neon light not turn on?
If the sign doesn’t light up at all, it’s usually a sign that the transformer is broken.
Can specific sections of a sign be operating?
In some cases, specific sections of the sign may not be operating.
Can you repair neon signs?
Neon sign repair does require new parts, a very steady hand, and knowledge of wiring and electrical systems. If you have a neon sign that is broken or in need of some type of repair, Contact Brooklyn Signs today. Our team is highly capable of repairing nearly any type of neon sign, and can make sure your sign is up and running in no time.
When were neon signs introduced?
If you're looking for a business sign that simply can't be ignored, you can't go wrong with neon signs. Ever since neon signage was introduced to the U.S. in 1923, it has made a huge impact. Neon signs are not only attention-grabbing, but they can be seen in all weather conditions. Neon lights can even cut through fog.
Why do neon signs flicker?
The transformer is responsible for reducing or increasing the voltage of an alternating current , so that it is compatible with the current requirements of the neon sign. If the light bulbs are in good condition, then there's a good chance that you have a faulty transformer in your hands. If this is the case, you will have to replace the transformer. Be careful when purchasing a new replacement because the specifications of the new transformer must exactly match the original transformer label or the sign will not light up flawlessly.
Can neon lights turn into vapor?
Mercury in new neon signs may have yet to turn into vapor. If that's the case, leaving the sign on for a few days should solve your flickering problem. If you don't want to wait a few days, you can turn the sign off and shake it vigorously to see whether you can loosen up the mercury, so that it becomes vapor quicker.
Can you replace glass with gas?
If this is the case, the section of the glass that has been breached will need to be replaced. If the breach is small enough, a repairman may recommend re-pumping the sign with gas instead while putting a patch on the breached area. Be especially careful when handling bulbs with breaches in them because they will be particularly fragile and susceptible to breaking apart.
Can neon lights cut through fog?
Neon lights can even cut through fog. With that being said, if your neon lights are flickering, not only is your sign not grabbing any attention, but it is also in danger of needing expensive repairs if the flickering issue is not dealt with immediately.
How to take neon signs apart?
If you don't want to try taking it apart you can try spraying the sign with a detergent / cleaner and spray it off with water. Keep in mind you should blow off all excess water and let it air dry for several days (setting it in the sun would help). Painting your neon sign.
What do you do with neon signs?
fix, repair and / or replace parts on your neon beer or other neon signs. With basic skills and tools you can diagnose and repair your neon sign. Some things can be fixed, other things like broken or burned out neon tubes. or weak or burned up transformers must be replaced.
How to check if a transformer is loose?
You can do a basic check of the transformer by disconnecting the transformer lead wires from the tubes. Find the spot where the transformer lead connects. IF the insulation boot is loose slide it away from the glass tube, twisting helps (be careful don't twist the glass tube). Assuming it isn't loose, you should cut it.
How many volts does a neon transformer have?
1. Neon sign transformers typically have an output of 4,000 - 12,000 volts. Yes that's enough to kill you, at the very least it will knock you down. Worse yet you might jump and break another tube on your sign, and you know how painful that is. With a little care you will live through this.
How to remove neon tubes?
Using the basic rules for neon tube removal, take them off. Once off you can wash them in the sink, a good detergent works best, soaking is good. I like using a soft pot scrubber, gently rub the tubes till the gook comes off, and rinse.
What paint to use for blackout?
There is a professional black out paint for this, but a good oil based enamel works fine.
Do you clean neon signs?
If you want to make your neon sign real nice you will want to clean it.
How to fix neon lights that are blinking?
Whenever you notice a problem with blinking neon lights, first check the power circuits to make sure your light fixture is getting enough voltage to work. You can use tools like a multimeter to check the voltage in all the electrical locations. Next, check to make sure there are no shorted or broken wires. Sometimes a shorted wire can cause some glass neon tubes in your space to stop working, this affects the way the other lights work as well. Replace all broken wires to complete the circuit for seamless lighting.
Why does my neon light stop working?
This includes both internal and external malfunctions. For example, a crack in the glass tube can cause the neon light to stop working. The gas itself could leak, be depleted, or polluted causing the neon light fixture to malfunction. There could also be a problem with the electrodes installed at either end of the tube.
Why do Neon Lights Malfunction?
Neon glass lights are by nature fragile, you have to protect the glass tube and make sure the neon gas inside doesn’t leak.
Why is my neon light useless?
Structural malfunctions in neon glass tubes are more problematic to deal with than power malfunctions. This is because of two reasons, one is the fragile nature of the tube’s construction. Even a small crack in the glass tube can render the neon light useless unless repaired. In most cases, you will have to isolate the broken or cracked part of the fixture, create a vacuum seal, and then heat the glass until it melts and bridges the crack.
How thick are neon rope lights?
For example, Elstar Flexible LED Neon Flex rope lights have a minimum bending diameter of 3 cm, they are only 6 mm thick, and can be easily cut after every 6 LEDs or 50 mm. They also have dual-color silicone extrusion which means you can get really creative with your lighting project.
Why do neon lights go off?
Glass neon lights require a very high voltage to work. The power supply needs to be seamless, as any fluctuations will cause the neon lights to blink and go out. If you’ve installed a series of glass neon lights that are connected to each other, each one of them will have to get the same amount of voltage to work. Even a single defected tube section can cause all the lights to go off.
What is neon light?
Neon lights are one of the most popular trends in the lighting fixture market. The bright, colorful, cheery neon lights can be used in signage, commercial advertising, art pieces, and more. Traditionally, glass tube neon lights were used for all lighting purposed but since then a new technology has entered the market. In this blog, we will take a look at how glass neon tube lights can fail and why it is a better option to transition to LED neon rope lights. Read on to find out more.
