Nikkalite® Premium Protective Overlay Film EF 40801

Nikkalite® EF 40801 is a highly durable graffiti resistant transparent self adhesive overlay film, which has excellent solvent resistance and chemical resistance, weatherability and dimensional stability. Signs prone to graffiti damage can be protected by applying EF 40801 over the surface during manufacture.

EF 40801 offers durability greater than 12 years including superior UV resistance thereby protecting the weathering of the base sign face material as well.

Anti graffiti characteristics

Nikkalite® EF40801 is resistant to staining and to almost all kinds of solvent. The film acts as a barrier to spray paint, marker pens and other surface contamination that can be easily removed with solvent. Advertising labels and stickers are easily peeled off the surface without leaving any adhesive residues - no solvents are required, this is a unique characteristic of EF 40801 - try the label peel test!

Removing graffiti from Sign faces

All known forms of graffiti spray, pens, lipsticks, glues, paper labels can be removed from the surface of EF40801. The surface allows multiple cleanings without damage to its surface properties providing abrasive cloths are not used.

Permanent marker graffiti and below during cleaning

Paper advertising labels can be peeled away using finger nail. Aerosols, permanent marker pens etc. can be successfully removed from the surface of EF40801 using various commercially available cleaners, citrus cleaners or turpentine. Dampen a soft cloth with the cleaner and gently wipe the affected area, if the graffiti does not come away immediately wipe again until it has been removed.

Wash the cleaned area with clean water.

Application of overlay

Nikkalite® EF 40801 has application tape pre-applied to its surface and is suitable for application through standard wide width application rollers to the surface of other NCI retroreflective and non reflective sheetings. The surface properties which act as a barrier against solvents and adhesive labels prevent EF 40801 from being overlapped onto itself as with other sheetings. When applying over the surface of screen printed materials ensure the inks have thoroughly dried before applying EF 40801.

When EF 40801 is applied as a protective transparent overlay film onto NCI retroreflective signs, initially the retroreflectivity will be marginally reduced and over the life of the sign retroreflectivity will actually be maintained to a greater level with an extended life expected compared to similar signs without EF 40801 protective overlay on the surface.

EF 40801 is unsuitable for screen printing onto its surface. Please refer to separate detailed technical information

Roll Storage, Substrate Preparation & Application of sign face sheetings.

Temporary coverings characteristics

Another characteristic of the surface properties allows retroreflective sign faces to be temporarily blanked out when Nikkalite® EF40801 is applied to the sign surface. The base sign is manufactured in the normal manner and EF 40801 is applied to the surface. Then a self adhesive temporary sign face is applied directly to the surface of EF 40801 using standard retroreflective or non reflective sheeting’s.

The photographs shown right show a scheme which utilised EF 40801 due to previous graffiti problems plus a temporary black vinyl covering was applied directly to the surface of EF 40801 to blank out the signs in advance of the traffic order commencing and removed on the day. Nikkalite® EF 40801 remains on the surface of the uncovered sign face continuing to protect the sign face.

Inspection & Maintenance of Traffic Signs TD 25

Highways Agency TD25 Inspection and Maintenance of Traffic Signs states in 2.2.3

'The following aspects shall be visually inspected…, (i) Visual performance (a) obscuration, for example by dirt, graffiti, foliage…'

EF40801 assists traffic engineers in meeting their responsibilities maintaining traffic signs to a standard that allows the sign to function and convey information to the driver clearly as they were originally designed.

Reliability of information

All recommendations and technical information contained herein are based on experience and tests, which the manufacturer believes to be reliable, but their accuracy and completion are not warranted.

The user is cautioned to undertake tests to determine the suitability of a particular product for the intended application.