FAQ

FAQ and KNOWLEDGEBASE

WHY ARA SIGNS:  Why should I purchase a sign from ARA Signs? (4 solid reasons why we offer the best, most durable outdoor reflective aluminum signs available… and at an affordable price)

Our WARRANTY and RETURN POLICY:  What guarantee do you offer? How long will the sign last outdoors? How do I return a sign and obtain a refund?

Traffic Signs installed on PRIVATE PROPERTY:  Why does state, county or city sign SIZE and GRADE of reflective sheeting requirements for signs along public streets also apply to Traffic signs (speed limit, parking, regulatory, warning etc.) I am installing on my PRIVATE PROPERTY?

About our Sign Making MATERIALSand Methods

• Our ALUMINUM:  What type of aluminum do you use, and why?
• Our REFLECTIVE SHEETING:  What type of sheetings do you use, and why?
• Our sign making METHODS and QUALITY CONTROL
• About ALODINE 1200 COATING (Chromate Conversion Process): What is that light golden-brown color on the back of my sign?
• Why ALUMINUM and NOT plastic, fiberglass, wood or steel?

BEST TYPE of SIGN for:

• HOT, SUNNY CLIMATES:  What is the best type of sign for hot, sunny locations?
• COLD and WET CLIMATES:  What is the best choice for cold and wet locations?
• DURABILITY:  What is the longest lasting type of sign for outdoor use?

CUSTOM SIGNS

• Our CUSTOM SIGNS: Why should I purchase a custom sign from ARA Signs?
• GRADES OF REFLECTIVE SHEETING OPTIONS for CUSTOM SIGNS: What options are available and what grade of reflective sheeting should I use for Custom Signs?
• COLOR COMBINATIONS for CUSTOM SIGNS:  What are the best COLORS for Custom Signs?
• Custom Signs SIZES & SHAPES: What SIZE sign should I use? What SHAPE works best?
• SIZE of CUSTOM TRIANGLE signs:  How are triangle shaped signs measured? I ordered a YIELD (or CUSTOM TRIANGLE) sign and it is SMALLER than the size stated. Why?
• TEXT SIZE and LEGIBILITY for Custom Signs: What is the smallest SIZE TEXT should I use?   What can I do to improve LEGIBILITY to make my sign easier to read and understand?

U.S. GOVERNMENT and MILITARY purchases:  Is ARA Signs registered with SAM.GOV?   What are the FAR and other regulations governing the purchase of signs?   Do you accept my GSA / Government credit card?

Mounting HOLES and CORNERS:  Do the signs come with holes and rounded corners?

LEAD TIME: When will I receive my sign(s)?

SHIPPING:  What shipping options are available?

PAYMENT METHODS and BUSINESS CREDIT: What types of payments do you accept?   Do you offer credit accounts to established businesses?

MUTCD COMPLIANT: Are your traffic signs ‘MUTCD Compliant’?   Will your signs meet the sign regulations in my location?

HELP

• How can I PLACE AN ORDER or GET A PRICE QUOTE?
• How can I GET ADDITIONAL INFORMATION or HELP WITH AN ORDER?

CARE and MAINTENANCE

• CARE and MAINTENANCE:  I’ve unpacked my signs and I have questions.   How do I store my signs untill I'm ready to install them?
• CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS:  How do I clean my sign?
• 3M ANTI-GRAFFITI OVERLAY: What is it and how will it protect against vandalism?

SIGN POSTS and Sign Mounting HARDWARE

• GENERAL INFORMATION
  • SIGN POSTS: What types of posts are available?   What type should I use?
  • HARDWARE: What type of hardware should I use to mount a sign to a post or wall?
• INSTALLATION Instructions and Drawings
  • SQUARE SIGN POSTS
    • “EZ” Square Sign Posts:  Installation Drawing
    • “Break-Away” Square Sign Posts:  Installation Drawing
  • U-CHANNEL SIGN POSTS
    • U-Channel Post: Mounting sign to U-Channel post (with or without ‘sign saver’ washer) Drawing
    • U-Channel Post “Break-Away” hardware:  Installation Drawing
  • Z-Bar and 3M VHB TAPE:  Instructions and Photos
  • REMOVABLE PLAQUES: mounting Instructions and Drawings
  • REPLACING BENT & DAMAGED SIGN POSTS: Instructions
  • STREET LIGHT POLE HARDWARE:  to mount signs to large diameter posts

About GRADES of REFLECTIVE SHEETING

• GRADES of Reflective Sheetings  What GRADE do I need or is required for traffic signs installed on public or private roads?
• GRADES of Reflective Sheeting for Traffic Signs on PRIVATE PROPERTY:  Why do the same requirements for signs on city streets apply to me?
• GRADES of Reflective Sheeting Options for CUSTOM SIGNS: What options are available and what grade should I use for custom signs?
• Are non-reflective, vinyl signs available?   Why are your reflective signs less expensive and more durable than non-reflective signs?

About SIZES of SIGNS

• Sizes of TRAFFIC Signs: What size traffic sign (speed limit, parking, regulatory, warning etc.) is required on public or privately owned roads?
• Sizes of Traffic Signs on PRIVATE PROPERTY: Why do the same requirements for signs on city streets apply to me?
• YIELD and CUSTOM TRIANGLE sign measurements:How are triangle shaped signs measured? I ordered a YIELD (or CUSTOM TRIANGLE) sign and it is SMALLER than the nominal size stated. Why?
• Sizes of CUSTOM Signs:What SIZE CUSTOM SIGN should I order?