Limited Warranty
We build signs to outlast the buildings they hang on. This document sets out exactly what we cover, for how long, and how we make it right — written in plain terms, the way it should be.
Who you are changes what we cover
Every AF Cultures product carries the same parts and materials warranty below. What differs is on-site labor — and that depends on how the sign reaches its wall.
Wholesale
Sign companies and resellers buying AF Cultures products to install for their own clients.
- Full parts & materials warranty (see §2)
- Free replacement parts shipped within term
- On-site labor — handled by your install crew
- Transit damage covered by AF Cultures (see §6)
Retail / Direct
Businesses ordering a finished sign shipped directly to their site for self- or local install.
- Full parts & materials warranty (see §2)
- Free replacement parts shipped within term
- On-site labor — your local installer
- Transit damage covered by AF Cultures (see §6)
Installed by AF Cultures
Projects we design, manufacture, and install ourselves under a project contract.
- Full parts & materials warranty (see §2)
- Free replacement parts within term
- On-site labor covered — 1 year
- Freight & transit risk carried by AF Cultures
Replacement parts are free within their warranty term for every customer. Removing the old part and reinstalling it is on-site labor. We cover that labor only on signs installed by AF Cultures, for one year. After that — and for all wholesale and retail orders — parts ship free, but removal and reinstallation are billable. This is the standard model across the U.S. sign trade.
Coverage by product line
Illuminated and non-illuminated signs carry different risks, so we warrant them on separate terms. A non-illuminated sign is a question of structure and finish. An illuminated sign is all of that, plus the electronics that light it.
A · Non-Illuminated Signs
Dimensional letters and logos — flat-cut, fabricated (built-up), and cast — plaques, and acrylic or plastic signage without illumination.
| Component | Indoor | Outdoor | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solid Metal — structure & finish | |||
| Metal body, welds & hardwareFaces, returns & backs, welds, mounting structure, fasteners — solid & fabricated metal, no adhesive | Against defect | Warranted against defects in material & fabrication | |
| Paint & coating finishPowder coat, automotive-grade paint, clear coat on solid metal | 10 years | 10 years | Against peeling, cracking, delamination of the coating |
| Complex & Bonded — added adhesive risk | |||
| Factory adhesive bondsMetal laminated to a different substrate; bonded faces & layers built by AF Cultures | 5 years | 2 years | Against bond failure & delamination, in the rated environment |
| Acrylic, Polycarbonate & Plastic | |||
| AcrylicChannel-letter faces, pan faces, push-thru & dimensional acrylic — trim cap bond included | 5 years | 3 years | Against cracking, delamination, warping — not natural fade or yellowing |
| Polycarbonate, UV hard-coatedUV-stabilized polycarbonate (Lexan-type) with factory hard coat | 10 years | 5 years | Against yellowing & embrittlement, per material supplier — coating intact |
| PVC, plastic & substrateBacking panels, decorative laminate & wood elements | 3 years | 2 years | Against material defect — not natural fade, yellowing, or chalking |
| Mounting adhesiveVHB tape, silicone, pad adhesive applied at install | Install item | Not a product warranty — depends on wall surface & installation | |
B · Illuminated Signs
Everything in Table A applies to the structure, finish, and materials of a lit sign. In addition, the electrical system is warranted as follows.
| Component | Indoor | Outdoor | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illumination — electrical system | |||
| LED ModuleSamsung LED chips · UL Recognized Component — front-lit, halo & open-face channel letters | 10 years | 5 years | Against module failure under rated use |
| LED StripAccent & secondary lighting runs | 2 years | 1 year | Against strip failure under rated use |
| Power Transformer / DriverUL-listed power supply | 5 years | 5 years | Against electronic failure under correct voltage |
The strongest coverage sits where the product is strongest: solid metalwork is warranted against any material or fabrication defect, and its paint finish for 10 years. On lit signs, the LED modules and power supply carry 5 years, with indoor modules at 10; accent LED strip, a shorter-life component, is warranted for 2 years indoors and 1 outdoors. Coverage steps down only where physics demands it — outdoor exposure, adhesive bonds, and accent lighting. Natural finishes and the gradual fading of plastics in UV are not defects; they're covered in §4.
What we cover — and what we don't
A warranty is only as honest as its exclusions. Here they are, up front.
Covered We make it right
- Defects in materials and fabrication for the terms in §2
- LED, strip, and power components that fail under their rated, correctly powered use
- Finish failure — peeling, cracking, or delamination of paint and coating within term
- Structural failure of the metal body or mounting hardware
- Bond failure or delamination of factory-bonded materials within term, in the rated environment
- Items that arrive different from the approved specification or order
- Manufacturing faults found at delivery, when reported in the inspection window
Excluded Outside coverage
- On-site labor, removal, reinstallation, and crane or lift access (except Tier C, year one)
- Damage from improper installation, wrong voltage, or power surge and lightning
- Vandalism, accident, impact, and extreme weather events
- Natural fading of living finishes — patina, raw, satin, and brushed metals — the gradual fade, yellowing, or chalking of plastics under UV, and color shift of printed graphics over time
- Bond or material failure from use beyond the specified environment, or from mounting adhesive applied at install
- Normal wear, surface soiling, and lack of routine cleaning or maintenance
- Scratching, hazing, pitting, or finish damage from improper cleaning — wrong chemicals, abrasives, or method (see §4)
- Any sign relocated, modified, or repaired by others after delivery
- Freight damage not reported within the inspection window in §6
- Consequential or incidental loss — see §5
This warranty applies while the sign remains installed in its original location. Removing and reinstalling a sign — at the same address or a new one — voids coverage on the affected parts, because we can no longer vouch for how it was handled or remounted.
Choosing for the environment
Most finish complaints in this industry come from the wrong material in the wrong place — not a manufacturing fault. We'd rather prevent that than argue it later.
Coastal air, irrigation spray, exhaust, and harsh chemicals will degrade some metals and finishes faster than others, regardless of how well they're made. Before production, we'll advise on the right material, finish, and protective treatment for your site. Living finishes — natural patina, raw and brushed metals — are chosen for how they age and weather; that change is the finish working as intended, not a defect, and it sits outside this warranty. Selecting a finish against our written guidance for a given environment may limit coverage on that finish.
A note on bonded materials. When a sign joins two different materials — for example a metal layer laminated onto an acrylic or PVC face — the adhesive bond between them is sensitive to heat, direct sun, and moisture in ways solid metal is not. We engineer each bond for its intended environment, which is why outdoor bonds carry a shorter term than indoor. Bond failure and delamination are covered within those terms when the sign is used in the environment it was built for; placing a bonded sign in harsher conditions than specified, against our guidance, may limit that coverage.
A note on plastics, print, and color. Acrylic, PVC, vinyl, and painted plastics gradually fade, yellow, or chalk under sustained UV — the same way any plastic does outdoors over years. Printed graphics likewise shift in color over time under sunlight; this is the nature of pigment exposed to UV, not a manufacturing defect, and like the living metal finishes above it sits outside this warranty. We warrant plastics against defects that aren't supposed to happen — cracking, delamination, warping, molding faults — and we warrant print against defects present at delivery, such as misprints or poor adhesion. We'll guide you toward UV-stable materials and finishes where long-term color retention matters most.
Cleaning & care. Every finish has a correct way to clean it, and the wrong method causes damage that is not a defect. As a rule, clean with mild soap and clean water on a soft microfiber cloth, then rinse and dry — and never dry-wipe a dusty surface. Acrylic & polycarbonate faces: never use ammonia cleaners (Windex, 409), alcohol, acetone, solvents, abrasive pads, or pressure washers — these scratch, haze, or break down the UV coating. Painted & powder-coated metal: no solvents, acids, abrasives, or cleaning in hot sun. Stainless steel: wipe with the grain, and keep chlorides, bleach, steel wool, and carbon-steel tools away. Scratching, hazing, crazing, pitting, or finish failure caused by improper cleaning is not a manufacturing defect and is not covered. A full Cleaning & Care guide ships with every order.
How to make a claim
Straightforward, and we move fast on legitimate claims — that's the part of a warranty that actually matters.
Reach out
Email us with your order or invoice number and a description of the issue.
Send photos
Clear photos of the fault, in place. We may ask for the affected part to be returned to confirm the cause.
We assess
We determine whether the failure is a covered defect and confirm the remedy with you.
We remedy
We repair, refinish, or ship a replacement part — free within term. Labor per your tier in §1.
Warranty period starts on the delivery date for wholesale and retail orders, and on the date of completed installation for signs installed by AF Cultures. Keep your proof of purchase — we'll need it to process a claim. Do not attempt a warranty repair before contacting us; unauthorized repairs are not reimbursed and may void coverage. For damage on arrival or an order that doesn't match your approved proof, see §6 instead — those are handled faster and on different terms.
Beyond the warranty: getting it right
A warranty covers defects that show up over time. These three commitments cover everything around the order itself — arrival, accuracy, and the times something goes wrong that isn't a defect at all.
If a sign arrives different from the proof you approved — wrong color, dimensions, material, or layout — we remake it to spec at no cost to you, shipping included. Accuracy is measured against the proof you signed off before production.
Your sign is our responsibility until it reaches you. Arrives damaged in transit? We cover the repair or remake and reship in full. In return, inspect on arrival and report any damage within 48 hours so we can file with the carrier.
Damage from a customer mistake, install mishap, or use? We'll still help — remaking the affected piece at 50% of total cost, shipping included. A goodwill program offered case by case at our discretion, not a guarantee.
Changed your mind, need to cancel, or want a refund rather than a remake? Those situations are covered separately in our Returns, Cancellations & Refunds policy.
The fine print
Limited warranty. This is a limited warranty extended by AF Cultures to the original purchaser. AF Cultures' products are manufactured for commercial and business use. This warranty is not transferable except where AF Cultures agrees in writing — for example, when a business under a Tier C contract is sold or merged.
Sole remedy. AF Cultures' only obligation under this warranty is, at its option, to repair, refinish, or replace the quantity of product proven to be defective within the applicable term. This warranty is given in lieu of all other warranties, express or implied. To the fullest extent permitted by law, AF Cultures disclaims any implied warranty of merchantability or of fitness for a particular purpose beyond the terms stated here.
Limitation of liability. Neither AF Cultures nor its sellers shall be liable for any injury, loss, or damage — direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential — arising out of the use of, or inability to use, any product. In no event shall AF Cultures' total liability exceed the purchase price of the product giving rise to the claim. The purchaser determines the suitability of the product for its intended use and assumes all risk and liability in connection with that use.
Maintenance. All signs require routine cleaning to retain their appearance, and illuminated signs should be checked after dark — burned-out modules, a failed power supply, or a misset timer often go unnoticed by an owner who leaves before dark. Coverage assumes reasonable care and maintenance appropriate to the product and its environment.
Certifications & code compliance. Our standard LED package uses Samsung LED chips that are UL Recognized Components (Cert. UL-CA-L347623-21-50015102-5). Some specialized formats may use alternative components where this package cannot be applied. Recognized Component status applies to those components and does not by itself constitute UL Listing of the finished sign. Where a landlord or municipality requires a UL label for electrical signage, confirm the requirement with us before fabrication so the sign is built to meet it.
Franchise & multi-location ready. Our standard 5-year exterior term is built to align with the typical Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) coverage period. For multi-location and franchise programs, we hold standardized specifications on file so signage stays consistent across every site, and warranty terms can be documented per location in your sales contract.
Your warranty record. Every order ships with a record of what was built — sign type, materials, illumination method, finishes, and applicable warranty terms. Keep it with your project file; it makes any future repair, refacing, rebrand, or rollout faster and removes guesswork about what was installed and when coverage began.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights. Terms for a given project may be further defined in your AF Cultures sales contract or quotation, which governs in the event of any conflict.
Need help with a warranty or claim?
Our team handles coverage questions, claims, and franchise specifications directly — no ticket queue, no runaround.