Neon signs are beautiful, and expensive to keep alive. When sections go dark, transformers fail and glass breaks, the cost of each repair adds up. At Cold Stone Creamery in Santa Monica we retired the old neon and converted the sign to LED. These are the notes.
What we did
The existing sign stayed on the building. Our crew removed the neon tubes and transformers, installed LED modules and a low-voltage power supply inside the letters, and put the faces back. From the sidewalk the sign looks the same as it did when it was new; behind the faces the technology is different.
Why convert neon to LED
- Fewer repairs. LED modules have no glass and no high-voltage transformer. The most common neon failures disappear.
- Lower power. LED uses a fraction of the electricity of neon for the same brightness, and runs cool.
- Even light. No dim sections or flicker as tubes age.
- Same look. Modern LEDs in a channel letter give the same color and glow through the same face.
When conversion makes sense
If the letters and cabinet are in good condition, converting is far cheaper than a new sign and needs no sign permit for a new structure. If the faces are cracked or the cabinet is rusted, we quote both options. For a chain location, the conversion keeps the brand’s approved sign exactly as it is.
Sign repair and LED retrofits across Los Angeles
We repair and convert illuminated signs from Santa Monica to the Valley with our own bucket truck and crew. See sign repair and maintenance, LED signs and our Santa Monica page, or contact us with a photo of the sign that is giving you trouble.
Related: our custom outdoor sign services in Los Angeles and outdoor sign installation pages explain how we design, permit, build and install signs like this one.