Can any of the different PVC brands be used outdoors? What kind of success have you had? Thanks
Posted by Randy Campbell (Member # 2675) on :
David; what I have learned about PVC'S are that they have a lot of movement.When mounting drill holes slitely larger or slots a little longer.Don't tighten the screws all the way.I found that painting holds better than vinyl on sintra.Hope I was some help.
Posted by Cheryl Lucas (Member # 1656) on :
David,
My supplier, here in Florida, states that colored PVC will fade within 6-12 months. They're right!
For outdoor applications, I'd go with white. If I need color, I reverse weed the vinyl.
Haven't tried painting it yet.
Cher.
Posted by VICTORGEORGIOU (Member # 474) on :
I've never had a problem with the color white outdoors.
Would like to hear if anyone else has. Vic G
Posted by Doug Allan (Member # 2247) on :
It gets brittle in freezing temps. Had a sandwich board at a shop in New Mexico that cracked up bad when it fell over on a snowy winter day.
Posted by Cheryl Lucas (Member # 1656) on :
Vic,
I haven't had any problems with white, yet...
Well, 'cept for the time I loaded a 4'x8' sheet into the pickup. Laid it over top a spare tire, it was okay for the ride to the shop. Forgot and left it out in the sun for a few hours. I found it perfectly molded around the tire... No problem, just laid it out flat and let the sun do it's magic, back to square one!
Cher.
Posted by cheryl nordby (Member # 1100) on :
Hi David I use it mostly for temporary signs. But I have spray painted several fancy cut smaller signs after sanding, and they are holding up very well.
Posted by David Harding (Member # 108) on :
Even white PVC has limited outdoor life. It yellows in the UV and weakens. It expands greatly in the heat and does not necessarily contract all the way back when it cools. PVC is NOT an outdoor material for permanent signs.
If you plan on using PVC outdoors for any length of time, get your excuse book ready. You'll need it. Be sure to tear out the page about the Indian attack. That excuse is old and doesn't work any more.
All kidding aside, I do not like to use materials that are "iffy" outdoors. If it is a struggle making a decent living on jobs that go right, doing them over for free takes all the fun out. Some have used PVC outside without serious problems, however, many, myself included, have had big nightmares with it. I will no longer take the risk on PVC outdoors.
PVC is is a great indoor material since it is relatively inexpensive and works and paints nicely. However, if used indoors, keep it out of direct sunlight. Emerson Swartzkopf told me he once built a sign of PVC and placed it in the entry of a restaurant. The sun shining in through the window warped the sign beyond repair.
As you follow your sign career, you will personally learn many expensive lessons. Be a step ahead and learn from our mistakes. The money you save will enable you to better afford your own errors... which will come... trust me.
I wish you the best.
Posted by Rick Chavez (Member # 2146) on :
Manufacturer does not reccomend the use of Sintra outdoors, though they claim that the thicker panels are outdoor durable, but the cost of 1/2" sintra compared to .090 aluminum would make Sintra a bad choice, plus the fact it would weigh a ton. Rick
Posted by ScooterX (Member # 2023) on :
what's the deal with that new Sintra stuff? the stuff with the shiny face. is it any better for outdoors, or is it just smoother?
Posted by captain ken (Member # 742) on :
Sintra is no good outdoor under 1/2" thick, the colors do not last at all. In the cold it gets brittle and breaks like glass, in the heat it get soft and warps... I wouls recommend alumilite or similar product especially for colors
Posted by Jean Shimp (Member # 198) on :
I've used 1/4" white pvc for an outdoor, south facing sign at a marina in Florida. It gets brutal sun and heat exposure and after 5 years the sign is fine. I believe there are differences in the pvc manufacturers and I'm not sure how to know the brand you buy will last.
![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
No problem, just laid it out flat and let the sun do it's magic, back to square one! ![[Smile]](smile.gif)