How to check the production date of aluminum stainless steel signs? Don’t be fooled by merchants!

I ordered a batch of aluminum or stainless steel signs. They looked bright when I got them, but after a while they faded, darkened, or rust spots began to appear on the corners? Whispering in my heart: How long has this thing been sitting around? Is it an old item with overstock? Today we are going to put aside those empty industry jargon and talk in vernacular about how to find the "birth certificate" - the date of production - from a seemingly ordinary metal sign. Once you learn this trick, you will have peace of mind when making a purchase or acceptance next time. At least it will not be easy for some unscrupulous manufacturers to use old and old goods to deal with it.

First, pour some cold water on it: Not all aluminum and stainless steel signs will have the production date clearly printed on them!  This is not like food packaging, where the law mandates that the production date marking on the label largely depends on the manufacturer's standardization, the specific requirements of the customer, and the type of the product itself. If you can't find an obvious date marking, don't panic. There is not necessarily a problem, but we need to be more careful.

So where to find clues? Let’s break down some common situations.

The first type: The most direct one - "clear code" marking. Some more formal manufacturers, or customers who explicitly require traceability orders, will display them on the sign. On the back, side or at the corners that do not affect the appearance , use laser marking, micro-engraving or corrosion to leave a string of codes. This string of codes may be the "codebook". It may directly include the year, month and day, 231015" is October 15, 2023. ； It may also contain the production batch number, which consists of letters and numbers, AL2023B1015". At this time, you can directly Ask the manufacturer what this code means , regular manufacturers have corresponding shipping records that you can check. If the other party is hesitant and unclear, then you have to be vigilant.

The second kind: Rely on empirical inference - "hidden line" observation. This is the key point. It applies to situations where there is no obvious date code. We have to become a "detective" and look at a few details.:

1. Check the status of the protective film (if any):  Many factory signs will have a protective film on the surface to prevent transportation scratches. If you look carefully at the film, a brand new film that has just been applied is usually flat, translucent, and the edges fit tightly. When you peel it off, the sound is crisp and leaves no or very few glue marks. If the film looks yellow, , there are a lot of small bubbles, the edges are warped, or even a little brittle, and there is a lot of sticky glue left after tearing off, then the sign has probably been in stock for a long time (perhaps a year or even longer). The aging of the protective film is a good time reference.

   

2. Look at the "gloss" and "touch" of the material itself”:  It’s a bit particular here, for Aluminum brand (Especially those with oxidation coloring treatment, such as black and gold). Brand-new products have a uniform oxidation film, saturated colors, and a sense of moisture. Even if the aluminum plate has been stored for too long, the surface gloss may become a bit "stuffy" and not as fresh as new products. There may be slight oxidation white spots on the corners or details (more obvious if the storage environment is humid). To the touch, new products have a smooth metal or oxide layer texture, while old products may feel slightly "astringent". for stainless steel sign (Especially mirror or brushed surface), the new mirror stainless steel is like a mirror, fingerprints are obvious ； The texture of the brushed surface is clear and smooth. After long-term storage, even with a protective film, the mirror gloss may be compromised. The brushed surface may be dusted and not cleaned thoroughly, leaving traces in the texture. Look carefully at the sides and back to check whether there are any subtle scratches or stains not caused by use. These are often "traces of time" left during inventory turnover.

3. See packaging and accessories:  Don’t just look at the sign itself. The plastic bag, foam cotton, and carton that contains the sign can also provide information. Brand-new packaging materials are usually crisp and clean. If the packaging bag is old and creased, the carton is soft and has signs of repeated use, or there are many pieces of foam foam used for separation, it means that this may not be the latest product.

4. smell:  This trick is a bit biased, but sometimes it works. Brand-new metal signs, especially those that have been sprayed, screen-printed, or have adhesive backing, may have a little bit of ink, paint, or glue left on them. faint odor (Not a pungent smell). If left for a long time, these smells will basically dissipate, leaving only the smell of packaging materials, or a faint "warehouse smell". This requires some experience and is not absolute.

The third kind: The ultimate method – communication and contract. The most reliable one is still in Make a clear agreement with the manufacturer before placing an order , you can add a clause in the contract or production order: “Products must be marked with the production batch or date code in a place that is obvious or does not affect the appearance for traceability. ” Or directly ask for "providing recently produced products", clearly written in black and white, and there will be a basis. During delivery, if the product status is found to be suspicious, you can question or negotiate based on the terms of the contract.

Finally, let’s be honest, why bother looking at the production date? In addition to the fear of buying old goods, the deeper reason is that: The process treatments of metal signs (such as oxidation, spraying, electroplating) have their best "freshness period"” , the surface properties that have just been treated are the most stable, and the adhesion, corrosion resistance, and color fastness are all in the best condition. If the surface is stored for too long, even if it looks intact, these properties may have an imperceptible attenuation, which will affect the durability of subsequent use, especially for signs used in outdoor environments. This is more important.

To check the production date of aluminum and stainless steel signs, follow three steps:: Find it (Look for the clear code), Second look (Look at the film, material, and packaging), Three questions (Ask the manufacturer and the contract agreement), don’t be superstitious that products from big manufacturers must be brand new, and don’t underestimate that products from small manufacturers will not have good products. The key is to know the ropes and have a ruler in your hand to judge.

Next time you get a sign, don’t just look at the front pattern. Turn it over, take a closer look, touch it, and feel it. It may not speak, but those details are quietly telling you its story. After all, what we spend money on is a durable product, not just a “good-looking at the time” decoration, right? I hope this little experience can help you avoid pitfalls and buy a good sign that really satisfies your needs.