I was out on a wall lettering job yesterday and had apparrently left my brush oil (tranny fluild) at the shop. I knew tht I would have to use at least 3 different brushes on the job and I was worrying about the paint drying. Then it dawned on me - I have a whole truckload of "brush oil".
So I cleaned my brushes as usual, and took some tranny fluid off of the dipstick! I have since re-cleaned the quills and used fresh stuff on them today.
Any other 'on the job' fixes that you can remember?
Posted by Del Badry (Member # 114) on :
I dont know why but your story reminds me of a guy i worked with, who wanted to reheat his coffee in a thermos, so he opened the hood on the 3 Ton International Truck he used on the job and placed his thermos along the manifold... from the vibrations it moved after awhile,, across the two battery posts. and fried a whole the size of a dollar coin into his new steel thermos... doh!
not sign related, but your story sparked a memory cell!
Posted by VICTORGEORGIOU (Member # 474) on :
You can shoot a hole in a quarter when you are short just one washer to finish the job.
Posted by Joe Rees (Member # 211) on :
On an installation of a painted sign 45 minutes from the shop, I had an 'issue' with a scratch. There was no hardware store anywhere close to buy some paint and a brush to touch it up, only a grocery store and a drugstore. Neither had paint, but both had NAILPOLISH! Lots of colors and built-in brush!
Posted by Myra Grozinger (Member # 327) on :
Once drove to Northern Virginia ( 5 1/2 hrs one way - weekend job) to letter Valances for a Travel Plaza, something I did for this customer a lot, they had to all look alike. Mostly handlettered, some Vinyl. Got there, did the Vinyl, it was now 5:30 pm and I then noticed that I had travelled without my brushes. It was Saturday night. I was at an Interstate Exit with nothing but motels and truckstops. Toothbrush will not work. I guarantee it.
I got into my motel and started calling signshops in outlying towns. Over and over. Found one guy working late, it took a lot to beg him to leave a quill for me in his mailbox, and I begged and swore I would pay. The next morning, at the crack of dawn it was 15 exits up the Interstate, and took me through the most beautiful parts of the Shenandoah Valley, I saw my first Amish carts and people, and even then was able to really cherish the experience.
I get tired just remembering that though. What a scare.
Posted by Monte Jumper (Member # 1106) on :
Got to a job site one day (way out in the sticks)...had to take some measurements and had neither paper nor pen to write them down...rummaging thru the truck I found a piece of pool chalk( I shoot a lot of pool), scribed the measurements on one of my tires and headed back to the shop (avoiding puddles along the way).
Posted by cheryl nordby (Member # 1100) on :
My tip for the week is: do NOT toss your exacto in the pile of weeded vinyl pieces to be thrown out. ouch Next tip: Always have bandaids on hand. Another one.....I am an airhead (no really) and I am forever forgetting my stabillos. Well,,,didya know.....lipliners and eyeliners work great? Just wipe off with your finger after you mark the registration marks. Easy as pie. And Hey,,,,,don't forget about the chamios(sp) to rub out the adhesive after removing vinyl. Works pretty slick.
Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :
I keep a little tape recorder in the truck with me. I see signs that need fixing or someone I need to call or take measurements, I just speak them. It's far safer while driving to talk than to write.
Posted by Tony McDonald (Member # 1158) on :
In the early 80's a friend of mine who drove a beer truck had a overheating problem between two rural towns. There he was in the middle of nowhere with a broken radiator hose. He cut the hose off, stuck it back on and filled the radiator with beer to get home on. Normally you wouldn't waste good beer on something like that but with a whole truckload what's a six pack or two.
Posted by Mark Fair Signs (Member # 289) on :
i keep q-tips in my brush box . great way to touch up screw heads.
Posted by Bill Cosharek (Member # 1274) on :
Long time ago, I was adding menu items to an interior sign at a fast food place & discovered I didn't have a small enough brush.
(now this may sound gross but it actually worked)
While desperately searching for something to paint with, I entered the beauty salon next door. I asked if they had any brushes I could borrow. They said no. Then looking at the clippings on the floor, asked if they'd mind if I took some. I found some straight pieces. Took them & constructed a small brush. Trimmed it & used it. Didn't do too bad either.
Never again.
Posted by Joe Rees (Member # 211) on :
Ok Bill, you definitely win my McGyver vote as the most creative in a desperate spot. What, you didn't have a nut to entice a squirrel out of a tree so you could pluck his tail? If I'm ever stranded on a desert isle, I want you with me.
Posted by Arvil Shep' Shepherd (Member # 2030) on :
I don't smoke ......but I always keep a book of matches in my sign kit......makes a good disposable touch up brush.....and is cheap. Shep'
Posted by Monte Jumper (Member # 1106) on :
Cheryl ...you reminded me of something we have done at our shop for years and boy has it payed off.
In the "clean area" (front shop) we keep a small tuna can next to the exacto blades...all and I mean ALL used xacto blades and single edge blades are disposed of there...in 15 years (knock on wood) neither of us has ever been cut by a hidden blade in the trash vinyl or paper.
Once every month or two I duct tape over the top to seal the can and throw the whole thing away.
I also have a fantasy of being robbed someday and throwing the "xacto genade" at the guy on the way out.
In the dirt part of the shop (rear shop) I have a 5 gallon bucket that captures all sharp and damaged goods ...screws, nails,cut steel and small pieces of aluminum...once a year I dump it on the table, reclaim the good stuff seal the bucket and send it to the dumpster.
We've also never had any (knock on wood) flat tires in the back shop or alley way.
"Werks fer me it'll werk fer you"
Posted by cheryl nordby (Member # 1100) on :
Whew! for a minute there Monte I thought you were wearing lipliner.
I know .....good idea with the tuna can. I am usually so careful to wrap tape around the blades etc. but yesterday both kids were wanting me to hurry up with my a-boards and so we could leave. That's whatcha get for hurrying.
Posted by Carl Wood (Member # 1223) on :
I know it sounds icky - - but a filter from a cigarette butt makes a good "brush" for painting screw heads - - -just dab it onto your paint can lid- - -plus, they're everywhere.
Posted by Preston McCall (Member # 351) on :
I paint showroom windows using a "old faithful" 8foot aluminum step ladder (trimmed back to 94" to fit easily into the back of my 96" truck bed). Whenever I go up, I have learned to step on the first step and lift up the base on the other side an inch or so and "burp" the ladder to set both the opposite feet level to the ground. This really makes getting up there a much more stable experience. Nothing is more alarming and dangerous than to get a few steps up and have the ladder shift just a bit, because I did not make sure all four feet are set solid.
I also replaced the pads on the ladder feet with bigger oak 'shoes' which seem to really make a difference in gravel or sand.
Another trick is to carry four heavy duty 6" C clamps and a couple of 1x3 oak extenders, 20 inches or so long. If I am at a site where the grade is not exactly perpendicular to the windows, these extenders can really make a huge difference in making the ladder level and safe while up on the upper rungs. I put on the c-clamps and lock them down tightly over the 1x3s after getting the extensions about where I need them. This trick has made many difficult windows a snap.
Up at the top of the ladder, I double screw installed a simple 2"long metal strip to hook the measuring tape and chalk line. When I need to move the ladder, they stay put and do not fall.
One other trick to carry in the truck is a simple can of Wasp killer when I encounter yellow jackets in the bushes.
My final trick is to carry some 24" bush loppers and a small pruner/clipper. The worst thing about painting windows are the nefarious sticker bushes, which always seem to show up on the days I wear shorts. I hack them back a bit and make enough room for my ladder. Experience has also taught me to always carry away the trimmings as if they are left, I hear about it in a week or so when they turn brown. If I carry them off, no one ever seems to notice.
Posted by AdrienneMorgan (Member # 1046) on :
Preston, we used to joke about those irritating bushes in front of windows, "I thought we killed these &*%#$@!*& LAST time!"
But that's a good idea, I need to remember to bring a pair of clippers again.
And for bugs? I have my own exterminator I bring with me on the weekend jobs! (Jim)
If your doing a bunch of windows don't wash the rollers out between jobs, put them in quart size ziplock bags and they will stay moist for days.
