Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion Neon Sign

I have a basic question.

How can you tell if Neon tubing is old - especially if it is stand alone neon without the porcelain sign.

From time to time you see neon lightling for sale but I can not get a sense if it is old - or only a reproduction or recently made neon.

Thanks,
Al

I don't know about the glass, but the wire could show age.

There are many ways to tell old neon...starting with the glass, most times it will have an ink stamp with the color code & most benders can tell yoy if its an old color or code....some times the tube will have a union label decal which indicates it an old tube..if its a mercury argon filled tube which is white , blue, green & all the cool colors, it will have mercury stains especially in the bends where the mercury has gathered & also towards the electrodes where it burns hotter.....The electrodes are another way to date tubes however if the old tubes have been repaired they will have new electrodes, old original electrodes have 2 single strand wires that are very thin copper, new elctrodes have braided heavy gauge wire.....another way is to see where & how they tubulated the tubes.....there are other ways also .....

Many signs are being re-neoned. It is the sign that you should be checking out, if it is old it doesn't matter if it has been re-neoned.

Jack Sim

Roadrelics,

I am amazed at what you know about neon!!

Is there anywhere to see pictures of these things you talk about?

Al

Al...I have never seen anything in photos, but if you go down to your local tube bender & ask about the things i just spoke of, they should be able to show you ...good luck..DT

it was nice talking to you Al, i will try & get you some photos of the Pontiac soon.....