Awhile ago there was abit of discussion on the different backings we use for larger HDU signs, here mdo does not stand up to the large variations in temperature, I have also supplied wider signs with a channeled aluminium profile in the back, but with the strength, lightweight, and ease of use of Dibond I thought I would ask those already using it...Brad I think? what you are using.
I believe the 2mm Dibond has the same strength as 8mm pvc board
------------------ Henry Barker #1924 akaKaftan SignCraft AB Stockholm, Sweden. A little bit of England in a corner of Stockholm www.signcraft.se info@signcraft.se
Posted by Brad Ferguson (Member # 33) on :
Henry,
One of the other Brads may have mentioned this, I can't remember either. But using Dibond or Alucabond as a backer sounds like a great idea to me.
We use Dibond regularly behind HDU. Make sure you lightly sand the Dibond, do NOT prime or paint the backside of the HDU and use an adhesive formulated specifically for HDU. We use 4mm Dibond on large pieces and 2 to 3mm on smaller pieces.
------------------ St.Marie Graphics & Makin' Tracks Sound Studio Kalispell, Montana stmariegraphics@centurytel.net http://www.stmariegraphics.com 800 735-8026 We're chiseling every day of the week! :^)
PB or Sign.FoamII will break right down the middle if its not supported. I have a ruined 4x6 foot sign in my shop right now to prove it.
But there is another good reason to back up this substrate. You can get by using a 1/2 inch thick piece of Sign.FoamII if you dont blast it very deep. That will save considerable costs on your projects, and the sign will look just as good.
------------------ Go Get 'Em..... :) AKA Raptorman on #Letterheads mIRC Chat Draper The Signmaker Bloomington Illinois USA
Proud 2-yr. $upporter of this Web Site (May 1999-May 2001)
Posted by Brad Funk (Member # 1351) on :
Henry, we have used dibond & alumilite for backing large signs, especially if they are mounted between posts. As far as thickness goes, the 1/8" Dibond should be plenty strong, once laminated to the HDU.
A nice double face panel might be two sheets of HDU, whether half-inch, three-quarter-inch, or one-inch, with Dibond or Alucabond in the middle. If the Dibond sticks out the ends, I don't see why it couldn't fit into a groove in either a frame or posts.
