I'm done with One Shot. The stuff just isn't worth the price anymore and I'm even having to repaint my golf course signs (outside only 6 months each year) every 2 years.
So I've seen several fellow heads claiming that Ronan Lettering Enamel is still a quality paint. My regular supplier does not stock their lettering enamel, only their bulletin colors, so they would have to order it and I need it quicker than that. I would like to order it today. where do you buy it?
Thanks
Posted by Si Allen (Member # 420) on :
Call them at ... 800-247-6626 ... and ask for their closest distributor.
Posted by Preston McCall (Member # 351) on :
It really is too bad that One Shot lost their way. I just saw a sign I did in One Shot Lettering Enamel two years ago, facing north....amazing fading. I am really stumped how the product was so good and then went down hill.
Using the fluoro Day Glow brand, compared to One Shot's is also amazing. I did a showroom (northside under an awning) for a Chrysler dealer 18 months ago in Day Glow....the yellow is still almost as bright as it was then, but the red has faded 50%.
It just makes me think why a company would lower their archival quality so much and not think we would notice.
Posted by Dan Beach (Member # 9850) on :
I use HoK striping paint most of the time. It is much better than 1shot.
The DuPont Hot Hues paint is really awesome though.
Posted by Richard Heller (Member # 2443) on :
Byrne Sign Supply here in Cleveland has it on the shelf. 216-781-4340 or 216-346-4151, talk to Dave. Give him my name.
Posted by Diane Malesky (Member # 687) on :
I started using Ronan. Call them directly. They ship to me directly.
I have been looking into spraying signs. Seems like the way to go if you want longevity.
Good Luck. I'm glad I'm not alone with this issue.
Vinyl has been same issue. I'm now trying Orecal. No more Avery. Everything in the industry has changed. We really have to keep on top. We are looking for better post structures. Looking into Fypon producst.
Boy,....This could lead to a few more threads.
Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :
We just finished re doing the red on five trucks in this fleet. 1 Shot red with a bit of hardener applied with a roller over vinyl mask. This stuff should be an embarrassment and shame to the company that makes it.
[ February 21, 2012, 09:52 PM: Message edited by: Rick Sacks ]
Posted by Dave Sherby (Member # 698) on :
I ended up getting it shipped directly from Ronan. Several of my golf course signs are over ten years old and we started painting them with One Shot when it was still decent. I'm going to use Ronan for repainting while they last. My new signs are being painted with acrylics where I paint on the HDU, but for smooth surfaces I'm going with Mathews. Thanks for the info.
Posted by Brian Dish (Member # 10782) on :
They took the lead out of our paint to put in lipstick:-{))))))))))))))))))))
Posted by George Perkins (Member # 156) on :
quote:Originally posted by Rick Sacks: We just finished re doing the red on five trucks in this fleet. 1 Shot red with a bit of hardener applied with a roller over vinyl mask. This stuff should be an embarrassment and shame to the company that makes it.
Unfortunately, the embarassment falls on us when this happens. Absolutly no excuse for this sort of thing.
Posted by Rich Stebbing (Member # 368) on :
dickblick.com carries a good inventory and can offer free shipping if ordering enough. Unless of course Ronan can give great discount I ordered from them for years for gallons of AquaCote, but now they say I am not ordering enough, so it's back to Blick or another paint. The shipping cost to me were high. blick also can and will ship next day if you "have to have it", a great company with awesome customer service.
Posted by Dave Sherby (Member # 698) on :
Rich, Dick Blick carries Ronan Aquacoate but not the Alkyd lettering enamel.
Posted by Diane Malesky (Member # 687) on :
Wow, glad I'm not alone. I have signs coming back now from 2007-9 when I was using the clear products. What a mistake. Just making a huge white (what seems like lifting/flakey) mess.
I'm now trying Ronan, no clear.
Want to get into auto paint.
I'm very leary mixing products and adding hardners. I think when you buy a "LETTERING ENAMEL", it should be exactly that.
I used to use Lettering Enamel instead of Bulletin back in the day. I wonder if the Bulletin is different.
Again, EPA, not allowing ingredients. Our friends who own auto body shops are having this issue with their paints too.
So, in conclusion, you really have to read the manufacturer information I guess. Know what's in what we're using. Or, what Is Not in there that used to give it longevity.
I wonder if house painters and the like have issues. Does Sherwin Williams really make a better paint that lasts outside. I remember Pittsburg paint on our old twin 20 yrs ago.... lasted for ever.
Good Luck! Let's keep ideas posted about products. It's a huge help for us.
Posted by Bill Diaz (Member # 2549) on :
We've been talking about this for years.
Diane, bulletin colors are inferior to lettering enamels -- so just imagine how they ghost in time.
I switched from 1 Shot to HOK for my semi lettering and striping way back in the 90's. It wasn't just the lead, because some of those colors didn't have lead. It's also the resins, binders and pigments that have been compromised. I think rather that compete with vinyl a decision was made to keep lettering enamels -- a hobby paint. We use it for panel jamming and quickie fun temporary stuff.
You are not going to want to use HOK or HOT HUES for painting and lettering 4 x 8's. The price will knock you on your fanny. That paint is great for pinstriping and small motorcycle work. It is over $20 for 4 oz and that's without the catalyst.
What I see going on is laminated digital prints for the fancy stuff on 4 x 8s and vinyl for the simple stuff. For the long lasting signs figure out how to cut masks and paint with acrylics and clear with automotive 2 part urethane clears or dabble with Matthews which is some sort of modified urethane. Even acrylics with no clear coat will outlast lowly old 1 Shot probably by a factor of 5.
Check out my post(coming soon)on laminated digital prints.
Posted by Bill Masters (Member # 851) on :
I have been using Ronan bulletin colors since 1982 and I use it for all my sign work and I think it is better than lettering enamels and guess what they still have lead in them.
Posted by bruce ward (Member # 1289) on :
I have to jump in here and wonder why the hell some of you are still using it. This didnt just didnt happen last year. this happened over 10 years ago! There were posts on here about it then. I posted about it. I posted about contacting one shot and mentioning this and got the "You the only one Ive heard with a problem BS!"...followed with "Nothing has changed in our products"
If you are still using one shot and have been for the past 8 years you deserve redos coming back How are people not getting the memo on this? I do not understand. Le=atex on outside walls and urethane enamels on signage OR digital printing
Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :
I've been trying to letter with Nova colors. What a pain. Never feels right in the brush. Requires numerous coats. I have not yet figured out how to get paint mask to not leak with this stuff over an acrylic house paint background. This old dog is trying some new tricks, but not enjoying what I'd call success yet.
PS...Ronan lettering color is also lead free
[ February 23, 2012, 10:34 AM: Message edited by: Rick Sacks ]
Posted by Diane Malesky (Member # 687) on :
Wow, so interesting.
Our friend who paints cars has told us his paint consistency has changed as well. PPG.
Still, I do think the thing to do is auto paint. You do need to get set up but really it's just a gun, compressor, practice, etc... & an area with ventilation. & it does make a mess. i.e. Paint Booth.
We all need 6 more lifetimes to do all we want!!! Posted by William DeBekker (Member # 3848) on :
Rick, To Keep your Acrylic from bleeding with Masks.. After you put your mask down. Give it a quick cote of the base color thus sealing the mask edges then paint your Letter color and pull the mask.
Posted by Bill Diaz (Member # 2549) on :
Ditto to what Bill just said. We call that coat a bleed coat and use that same technique when we letter awnings with a mask.
Rick, I wish I could get with you to show you a few tricks. Maybe I can get somebody to do a quick video.
I think you've got to rethink the whole process with Nova, and when you do you'll like them. I've heard the same thing from others and then later, they've said they like them. Just saying ... from 1 old dog to another.
Use Nova over a house painted background. Don't try to use them on slick surfaces. They especially work well for brick and block signage that are large, because you can get out those big house paintin' brushes and have at it.
Posted by Diane Malesky (Member # 687) on :
Well, I'm embarrased to say, we have another sign coming back from 2007. Yes, the clear is flaking like lifting. Not flaking as much as just white spots all over. Out of nowhere. I just saw the sign a month ago and was fine. Just all happened in last few days. Such a shame, such a pretty h/c, hand painted pictorial sign with gold leaf. I am refurbing at no cost. They are a good customer. I just finished an h/c oval for their circa 1822 barn.
I had to explain this to her. I used to cringe at this type of challenge. Not anymore...I was just honest. Can't do anything more than that. That's my new approach: cool, calm, collected, I'm human, composure & honesty.... maybe a little humor mixed in if applicable. Will do whatever I can to resolve any situation.
HOW LIBERATING!!! I never want to go back to my old way of thinking.
Luckily we are using Ronan now so this can of worms is now gone. NO clear. Didn't used to use clear back in the 90s. Thought I was doing good like a car paint process. Boy, how wrong.
Not having issues for last 2 yrs., but still getting bit on the butt from the clear coat days. Hoping my customers understand. Live and Learn! I still have a couple more signs out there that I know have this issue. 1 sign is only on 1 side. The sunny side. No rhyme or reason. This one I'm getting back now is in the woods. It's a pure chemical reaction.
You really DO have to stay on top of your products/chemicals/technology. This forum is a big help!
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