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. The warranty tier and component-specific coverage applicable to each order will be identified in the accepted quotation, project agreement, or warranty record supplied with the product.
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 | Against defects in materials and fabrication under normal rated use. | |
| 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 | 3 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 | 3 years | 2 years | Against cracking, delamination, warping — not natural fade or yellowing |
| Polycarbonate, UV hard-coatedUV-stabilized polycarbonate (Lexan-type) with factory hard coat | 5 years | 3 years | Against yellowing & embrittlement, per material supplier — coating intact |
| PVC, plastic & substrateBacking panels, decorative laminate & wood elements | 2 years | 1 year | 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 | 5 years | 3 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 | 3 years | 3 years | Against electronic failure under correct voltage |
Warranty coverage is component-specific. Each material, finish, structural element, electrical component, and accessory carries its own warranty period based on its expected service life and operating environment. Unless expressly stated in your accepted quotation or project agreement, no single warranty period applies to the entire sign. Normal weathering, aging, color variation, and other characteristics expected from the approved materials are not manufacturing defects unless specifically covered by this Limited Warranty.
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
- Manufacturing defects that become apparent during the applicable warranty term. A product that arrives materially different from the approved proof is handled under the Terms of Sale, not as a warranty claim.
- 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
- Minor dimensional, alignment, seam, finish, illumination, and handmade-fabrication variations that fall within commercially reasonable manufacturing tolerances and do not materially affect appearance, fit, function, installation, safety, or code compliance are not manufacturing defects.
This warranty applies while the sign remains installed in its original location. Removal, relocation, or reinstallation may limit coverage on components affected by handling, remounting, wiring, sealing, or site conditions. Coverage remains available for unrelated covered defects where AFCultures can reasonably determine that the relocation did not cause or contribute to the failure.
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
Depending on the issue, the remedy may include technical support, replacement parts, repair, refinishing, partial remake, or full remake within the applicable coverage. 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 repair or modification may limit coverage only where it prevents diagnosis, alters the affected component, or causes or contributes to the failure. 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. AFCultures will acknowledge a complete warranty claim within a reasonable time and will explain any additional evidence or inspection required.
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 materially differs from the approved proof and the difference falls outside commercially reasonable manufacturing tolerances, AFCultures provides the applicable remedy under the Terms of Sale.
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 7 days so we can file with the carrier.
AFCultures may offer a goodwill repair, remake, or discounted replacement on a case-by-case basis. Any customer contribution and freight terms will be confirmed in writing before work begins.
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. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, AFCultures is not liable for indirect, incidental, special, or consequential loss, including lost revenue, lost business, or removal and reinstallation costs beyond the coverage stated in this warranty. AFCultures’ total liability for a warranty claim will not exceed the purchase price of the affected product. Nothing in this warranty excludes or limits liability for personal injury, death, property damage, fraud, or any other liability to the extent it cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.
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. For franchise and multi-location programs, the applicable component-specific warranty schedule will be documented for each location in the accepted quotation or project agreement. That 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. If an accepted quotation or signed project agreement expressly identifies a warranty term that differs from this policy, and both parties approve that change in writing, the specific written project term controls for that order.