FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Our range of cast bronze products includes (but is not limited to):

Choose the product required from the listing under Our Bronze Products
Use the information in the Design Information listing to help help choose how you’d like your product to look
Go the Order Enquiry section to choose from ordering on-line or choosing to contact PBR for help by a friendly staff member.

Rest assured that you will ALWAYS receive a proof from PBR before your order is finalised.

It’s completely understandable that many customers are concerned about whether their product will look right in their desired location, whether it will be appropriate for the occasion, and whether their wording might look squashed or not quite right. Much of this concern is directly related to the size of the product.

Once you know what you are going to use the product for, and where the product will be going, you can then use the information provided on this website (or by contacting PBR directly) to help make your decision on size.

Sizes for Cemeteries
If you’re ordering a memorial marker or columbarium plaque to go into a cemetery, then you’ll need to find out a) which cemetery it’s going to be placed in, and b) what the size, fixing and design specifications are for that particular cemetery. Many cemeteries have their own pricing structure which is dependent upon these plaque specifications. Some cemeteries also have their own additional charges. This information may then dictate the type of product that you can choose.

Sizes for Other Products
You may find it helpful to read through our Design Information on size, which includes the most common sizes for many of our products. This will give you a starting point for creating your bronze product.

Remember that PBR staff have lots of experience in helping customers choose a size that is going to best suit their requirements. Please feel free to contact PBR directly to discuss your ideas over the phone or via email.

Memorial and Other Motifs

Some motifs in the PBR motif library and database may be copyright protected. This means that permission from the owner of the Copyright is required before it is used on a plaque or sign. Permission is usually granted by the copyright owner for one off memorial use at no charge.

Memorial Plaques in Public Venues

All Memorial Plaques to be installed in public venues require permission from the local Council to ensure they meet standard requirements. These requirements may relate to any number of elements such as size, color or fixing system, and will vary according to the type of memorial required (for example, burial, cremation or garden).

Placing orders for Memorial and Cremation Plaques going into a Cemetery
If you’re ordering a memorial or cremation plaque to go into a cemetery, then you’ll need to find out:

which cemetery it’s going to be placed in, and
what the size, fixing and design specifications are for that particular cemetery.

Many cemeteries have their own pricing structure which is dependent upon these plaque specifications. Some cemeteries also have their own additional charges. This information may then dictate the type of product that you can choose.

Placing orders for all other Products

Memorial Markers and Columbarium Plaques NOT going into a cemetery,
Take Home Memorials,
Pet Memorials,
Commemorative Plaques and Signs,
Commercial Plaques and Signs,
House Signs and Numbers

All can be also be placed via our Order Enquiry Form. A design layout and quote can be returned and once you are happy with your product, you can sign and return the accompanying consent form. Your order is then placed and it proceeds to the casting process.

PBR or your Local Memorial Consultant will be able to advise you what charges (if any) apply when you make the request for changes. Please note, however, that charges may apply in the following circumstances:

A request for your plaque, sign or other product to be completed in less than 10 working days (called an accelerated delivery surcharge)
Any changes to your order once production of it has commenced (called a restart)
Changes to individual letters (usually spelling or name changes) or numbers (usually dates) on a finished ‘cast’ plaque or sign. Problems can arise if the change means the lettering or numbering will no longer fit into the existing space
The addition of an individual motif to an existing plaque or sign

Although the production process can sometimes vary according to the type and level of detail of the product ordered, most standard orders received by PBR have a 4-week turnaround time. (i.e. 4 weeks following approval of the proof and/or quote).

PBR manufactures thousands of bronze plaques and associated products every month, each one individually handcrafted and cast. There are 8 stages within the production process:

Plaque Design – The layout of the inscription, motifs and other design features are keyed up (Contemporary) in computer programs, or hand set (Traditional) from information provided by our customer.
Negative Production (Contemporary) – The requested plaque designs are transferred to a photographic negative in an image setter.
Moulding – The patterns are placed in a mould box and covered with a thin layer of virgin sands. The remainder of the box is filled with a mix of silica sand and binder which hardens the mould. The mould is then stripped and assembled to receive the molten bronze.
Pouring – Bronze ingots are melted to a temperature of around 2100 deg F. The molten bronze is poured into the mould and solidifies in the form of the finished plaque.
Fettling – The plaque is cleaned and excess bronze is removed from around the plaque.
Detailing – Required fixings are attached and any irregularities are eliminated.
Linishing and Painting – The plaque is painted the requested color in a spray booth. The raised surfaces is then ground with a belt linishing machine to bring up the bronze metallic color. A clear protective layer of paint is then applied.
Inspection and Packing – The plaques undergo a final quality inspection and are packed ready for dispatch.

Your bronze plaque, sign, commemorative product or cast metal lettering should not require major regular maintenance of any type. The metal and all physical and design features of PBR bronze products will remain intact indefinitely.

PBR finishes all bronze products with a clear protective surface coating which ensures the product retains its visual appeal in the long term. Our coating is a Two Pack Thermosetting Acrylic clear paint, applied as a spray in a special purpose paint booth. The process is identical to that used on motor vehicles. In fact, the protective paint used at PBR is also used on superior motor cars such as BMWs. Both PBR and our paint supplier regularly conduct tests to assist us in arriving at the best possible paint and application procedures. This ensures our bronze products maintain their optimum appearance in all conditions.

However, eventually over a long period of time, the paint or patina and clear surface protective coating will break down and detract from the overall appearance of the product. The paint colour and integrity can be affected by ultraviolet light, extreme temperatures and extreme weather. Patina can be affected by extreme weather, industrial fall-out (chemicals) and high levels of atmospheric pollution. The clear surface protective coating can be affected by industrial fall-out (chemicals), accumulated dirt and airborne pollutants that may dull or bleach it, natural substances such as bird droppings, insect stains or tree saps that may mark or etch the film, and water containing salt or other minerals (eg bore water) that may cause the coating to fade.

PBR therefore recommends a degree of low-level, easy care and maintenance procedures which have the aim of preserving the paint and clear surface protective coating for as long as possible.

General Care and Maintenance
As a general rule, it is best to leave the product surface untouched. Only commence these procedures if obvious deterioration or staining occurs.

Plaques and Signs with a Painted Background and Clear Protective Coating:

      1. Clean the plaque or sign with warm water and detergent
      2. If necessary use a brush with soft plastic bristles such as a toothbrush
      3. Do not use a wire brush or abrasive cleaning products
      4. Rinse with clear water

Plaques and Signs with a Patina or Bare Metal Finish:

Clean plaque or sign as above
If the surface is tarnished or oxidised leaving an unattractive appearance, carefully rub over the surface with a fine “Scotch Brite” pad
Wipe off the surface until it is clean and dry
Apply a thin even coating of Microcrystalline wax
Allow to dry and polish with a soft cloth

Refinishing
In the unlikely event of your bronze product deteriorating to the extent where the recommended care and maintenance steps are not effective, PBR can offer refinishing:

Factory Refinishing – the product is removed from the base structure and returned to PBR. The remaining paint and protective coating is removed by sand blasting. It is then subjected to the regular painting and protective coating procedures that all new bronze products receive. The product will be returned in an “as new” condition with the maximum possible protection against future deterioration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Memorial and Other Motifs

Memorial Plaques in Public Venues

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