Do any of you use scooter board for real estate signs? It was made to replace the old masonite or Duron boards because it doesn't absorb water and start splitting like masonite.
Well I have had 3 signs come back recently because all the vinyl was peeling off! The fine folks who make Scooter Board didn't tell the suppliers that they are coating the boards to help with silk screening. They say you have to use a heat gun on the boards first before applying vinyl.
Wish I would have known that before making several signs. It's still good material and more durable than masonite. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
So I guess it's true that you learn something everyday in the sign business!
Sign-cerely, Steve
Posted by Jean Shimp (Member # 198) on :
I saw that stuff for the first time at the sign show last month. They told me it was "water resistant". I didn't think you could use it for outdoors. Thanks for the warning.
Posted by Bill Modzel (Member # 22) on :
Is this coating new because most inks that I tested on the stuff scratched right off with a fingernail.
Enamel adhered but with the overnight drying was kind of ridiculous as far as double sided printing went.
It seems strange that a coating "for" screen printing would be bad for vinyl adhesion.
Posted by Steve Luck (Member # 5292) on :
I'm with you Bill. I thought this material would be the answer to the old Duron or Masonite board but if vinyl won't stick to it, digital print or regular, then it's useless to me. I still have some pieces left to experiment with. I will do the heat treatment and wipe it down with denatured alcohol and see if that works. It really is water resistant like Jean mentioned so I'm hoping for the best.
Sign-cerely, Steve
Posted by Dale Feicke (Member # 767) on :
Hey Steve, I had posted about this stuff awhile back. When I first saw it, it seemed pretty neat; but it is so slick, things don't like to stick to it very well. And Bill, I don't know what kind of paint you're using, but I've had a couple of instances where you could just scrape the paint off (Chromatic) with your fingernail, after a couple of days. And it was scuffed and prepped beforehand.
I called the supplier, and talked to the son of the owner, who told me that it was made for temporary signs (probably for not more than a year and a half outdoors). I'm not using it anymore. You can tell, when you cut it. It just turns to dust. It just doesn't seem to have the binders or resins in it like tempered mas. The surface is water resistant, but get the moisture down in the "inside" of it, I don't think so.
A good grade of tempered masonite (hardboard) will far outlast this stuff, and is easier to get paint/vinyl to stick to. I've resigned myself to using PVC sheet or (the dreaded) coroplast.
[ April 20, 2012, 06:42 AM: Message edited by: Dale Feicke ]
Posted by Steve Luck (Member # 5292) on :
I appreciate the response Dale. I replaced the signs that failed with 6mil PVC material for the yard signs. They fit well in the slip-in metal frames. If my tests don't work, I will be pitching the rest in the dumpster!
Sign-cerely, Steve
Posted by Dale Feicke (Member # 767) on :
This is a real bummer, Steve. I just don't know why they even made this crap!
Their company was originally in Covington, KY, called Woodcraft, and made some of the greatest tempered masonite ever. Some of the signs we did, held up for 10 years or more. Realtors and politicians for miles around, bought their stuff.
In later years, after the dad retired, the son took over, expanded, and well, as goes on in so many businesses........begin cutting corners, trying to make stuff cheaper, etc.,,,,, You know how it goes, from here.
Posted by James McLain (Member # 4877) on :
I've never tried vinyl letters on this board, but it can be screen printed with a 2 part ink and WILL NOT SCRATCH as mentioned in several posts above.
I don't believe ANY single part ink will adhere to it. I don't use it simply because I hate to mix up 2 part ink for jobs. Unless it's a really long production run, it's too wasteful.
Once mixed most 2 part inks generally only have a pot life of about 8 hours.
Posted by Blake Koehn (Member # 5984) on :
Don't use it. Vinyl does not stick!! I hate the stuff!! Made me look like a fool. Posted by Steve Luck (Member # 5292) on :
I'm feeling that way too Blake. I have used it in the past without any problems, but apparently they have done something to the finish and now any vinyl just won't stick for very long. It's a shame since it was designed to be used in slip in frames for real estate signage.
Maybe the heat treatment will work but I am going to test it before I make any more signs using the stuff.
Sign-cerely, Steve
Posted by Dale Feicke (Member # 767) on :
It's kinda foolish to even mess with it, Steve. Just use the 6 mil PVC, and no worries.
Posted by roger bailey (Member # 556) on :
Did any of you do a Rapid or Rapid II cleaning? I don't have any experience or knowledge with it, would sure like to know what they coated it with!
Maybe Rapid Prep first then clean again with Rapid or Rapid II
Roger
Posted by roger bailey (Member # 556) on :
Wow, did I hit a nerve or what? I really am interested in the info,heck maybe Rapid products have no good effect on this peticular product ?
Roger
Posted by Dale Feicke (Member # 767) on :
Naw Roger,
I used Rapid Prep before I tried painting on it, and before trying vinyl letters. The surface is, well, slidy-slick, even after using a scuff pad.
It's almost as if it had silicone in it (maybe it does).
But, I don't know about the others, for me, it's just not a good product. Period. It was not designed to last long-term, and therefore, I have no use for it.
There are other products out there that cost less, require less painstaking preparation, and do the job with less hassle....and hold up.
Posted by Sam Staffan (Member # 4552) on :
I wonder if there are different brands? The reason I say that is I have been applying digital print to Scooter board for my Museum Exhibits and exterior Kiosks for the past 5 Years and I have yet (knock on wood) to ever have have a piece go bad in any way at all.
I must say I have never put computer cut vinyl on them just digital Oracal or 3m prints but it is still vinyl. Sorry to hear about the problems you are having.
Posted by roger bailey (Member # 556) on :
Thank Dale,maybe I won't worry about this situation nor product ! Sounds like it dosnt rank high with you folks, no sence in messing with a fix. Thanks for responding!
Roger
Posted by Si Allen (Member # 420) on :
Haha Roger ... it would be like developing a cleaner for Yugo Cars!
Posted by roger bailey (Member # 556) on :
Hay Si, I hear the 4 doors are called Wego ! Ha ha ha
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