A simulated neon sign comprises a frame, non-neon internal lighting
, and a front plastic panel having an outer face. The outer face of the front plane comprises outwardly projecting indicia and a non-projecting region that is substantially opaque to the internal light. Pigmented translucent coating is applied on the indicia so that light from the internal lighting can pass through the indicia. To simulate the halo effect of a neon light, additional pigmented coating is applied to the non-projecting region of the panel adjacent the indicia. A method for manufacturing the neon sign is also disclosed.
additional pigmented coating on the neon sign region of the panel adjacent to the indicia, the additional coating being of substantially the same color as the first pigmented coating so that it appears that light from the lighting means passing through the indicia is reflected off the opaque non-projecting region to achieve the halo effect of neon lights; wherein the thickness of the first coating is greater at the center than at the sides of the indicia so that the intensity of light through the sides of the indicia is substantially the same as at the center.
The simulated neon sign lends itself to easy manufacture. The plastic panel with its projecting indicia can be formed by vacuum forming a plastic sheet. The indicia are then masked with masking means. An opaque coating is applied to the non-projecting region but not the indicia, the indicia being protected by the masking means. The masking means is then removed from the indicia, the first pigmented translucent coating is applied to the indicia, and then additional pigmented coating is applied to the non-projecting region over the opaque coating immediately adjacent to the indicia. Generally the first pigmented coating and the additional "halo" coating are applied simultaneously with an air brush.