Has anyone used ceramic tile in sign construction as in the background? What did you use for a backer? Do you have any pics? Thanks
Posted by Joel Nelson (Member # 6609) on :
We do it a lot at where I work now. Usually it's siliconed to an aluminum cabinet made from .125 sheet aluminum on a 1 1/2" frame. I can get you some pics tomorrow as we have some in the shop that haven't been assembled yet.
We usually arrange the tiles, lay mask, blast 'em, and then paint the letters. Finally lay them out on the sign surface and silicone them down.
Posted by Jill Marie Welsh (Member # 1912) on :
Make sure your tile is for exterior use. A storefront here had their whole fascia done in purple glazed ceramic tile...a year or two later it is all chipping off. Not the tile, the glaze. You can see the terra cotta color where the purple failed.
The only sign I ever used tile on as a decorative element, not a background, is over 5 years old and going strong. love....Jill
Posted by goddinfla (Member # 1502) on :
For a sign made in the shop and installed on site we used to make some for a subdivision. We used the cement backer board and siliconed the tile to it. We used colored silicone instead of grout between the tiles. We then blasted and painted. We left an exposed 1 inch edge of the backer to screw it on the wall. We covered the edge with trim. On site signs are easier, just follow what the place where you bought the tile from recommends.
Posted by Wayne Webb (Member # 1124) on :
Thanks guys! The tiles I am planning to use are porcelain. Will they hold up well outdoors, Jill?
Thanks Joel, Yes I would like to see those pics.
Posted by Joel Nelson (Member # 6609) on :
On a piece of plywood for the sandblasting procedure...
...and a pic of the aluminum cabinet with some of the tiles laid out before silicone.
[ June 14, 2006, 05:08 PM: Message edited by: Joel Nelson ]
Posted by Joel Nelson (Member # 6609) on :
huh. i have to go look at the 'how to post pics' be right back...
Posted by Wayne Webb (Member # 1124) on :
Joel, If you are linking from your webpage... The easiest way is to right-click the image. Select properties... Right-click on the url of the image. Click select-all Right click it again and select "copy" Paste it in the post Place brackets around it like this.... [img] [/img]
Posted by Wayne Webb (Member # 1124) on :
Posted by Wayne Webb (Member # 1124) on :
Well.... Maybe because it's only 44x30 pixels? Or maybe that site doesn't allow linking? Posted by Joel Nelson (Member # 6609) on :
On a piece of plywood for the sandblasting procedure...
...and a pic of the aluminum cabinet with some of the tiles laid out before silicone.
[ June 14, 2006, 06:38 PM: Message edited by: Joel Nelson ]
Posted by Joel Nelson (Member # 6609) on :
Ok there. Now I can post pics with my eyes closed!
Thanks for helping me help you! lol
These are two different signs BTW.
[ June 14, 2006, 06:41 PM: Message edited by: Joel Nelson ]
Posted by William DeBekker (Member # 3848) on :
Wayne, We do Dye Sub Murals in tile and attach to signs also Sillycone works great and you will be fine with Porcelin outside As a Ceramic Tile will assorb water and will freeze or crack.
Posted by Mark Yearwood (Member # 2723) on :
Definately must be an outdoor type of tile. If you have ice in the winter, indoor glazed tile will absorb water, freeze, and then the ceramic coat will just fall off.
Posted by Dick Bohrer (Member # 905) on :
This is a sign we did with a slate tile background. We didn't grout the tile but butted them tight. The tiles were set in epoxy on a Dibond backer that we roughed up the surface a bit. It was then framed with 4x4 cedar. The bear and lettering are HDU siliconed to the tile. The park warden was worried the local rednecks would be taking pot shots at the bear, but he has survived 3 years. This sign suffers in the extreme weather we have 30-50 below zero in January and 90's in the summer and its still holding togather.
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