I know I saw this in a post - now I can't find any mention of it, even using search. The thread was talking about buying a sample or demo 'kit' of their product to spray on a rather large surface. Who was that? How did you purchase it? How much was it? How did it work out? and anything else you'd like to share.
Thanks.
Posted by mike meyer (Member # 542) on :
Hey Joe......Dave Correll 507-334-8446 and Rick Dolphens 402-339-1336 have been trained in California to do it. They have already done some really nice stuff...Call them OR
come to the WINTER MUSTER and see it done IN PERSON!!! Now more than ever Joe, Mazeppa is calling YOU!
hahaha
Posted by Kelly Thorson (Member # 2958) on :
Here is the post you were looking for LuminOre Post Posted by Tim Whitcher (Member # 685) on :
Took a look at luminore's website. It looks to me that you have to be authorized to use their product now. Is that the case? I couldn't find any information in regards to the sample kit that used to be available. Anyone know what's up?
Posted by Dan Sawatzky (Member # 88) on :
I very seriously considered becoming an authorized applicator of the product. I had a project a while back I was considering usint it on.... but the time deadline didn't permit it in the end.
I've seen the finished result in person and it's impressive.
One of these days I'm going to give it a try but because of the steep entry cost it will have to be a special project for sure.
-dan
Posted by Joe Rees (Member # 211) on :
Yes, that's the thread I was looking for! There seems to be a lot of interest in this process. I have seen physical samples of the finished results, and they are spectacular. So why do they make it so hard to try it?
Yeah, I see their explanation that Corian does that - requiring you to buy in with large initial purchase and mandatory training - it just seems slightly elitist or rude to me. I'm not "good enough" to play unless I cough up $3 large. Baloney. Avinite makes a VERY acceptable substitute for Corian, thank-you-very-much, and they are happy for my business. It reminds me of Gerber's greedy lock they thought they had on the plotter market way back, before people like Roland and Ioline blew their doors off with open architecture. Not to say Gerber didn't have a good product, but I've gone out of my way to find other alternatives every since.
Back on topic, I want to play with it before I make that kind of financial commitment. Three weeks ago they still had sample kits of the sprayable product available on their website, and I purchased one. With shipping it was over $90. But they sent the casting stuff instead, which is useless to me. In the meantime their policy seems to have changed and they are unwilling to exchange for the sprayable kit. If I can't work this out with them, is anyone interested in buying this sample of the castible product???
Posted by Kelly Thorson (Member # 2958) on :
Joe, I have used a technique which seems to be somewhat similar to the LuminOre system. I have used Imron Clear with atomized metal powders and also fiberglass resins. If you are interested in what I've been doing email me. The cost is very reasonable, and the finished product seems to be durable and very attractive. This is a photo of an experimental piece carved in HDU that was coated with clear coat + atomized bronze powder.
[ December 20, 2003, 02:47 PM: Message edited by: Kelly Thorson ]
Posted by Steve Purcell (Member # 1140) on :
Very nice, Kelly.
Posted by Amy Brown (Member # 1963) on :
Hey Joe,
I've never used any of the stuff but do have a sign we did at a workshop in which one component was coated with copper LuminOre. It's real nice.
Might want to check it out.
Posted by Bob Gilliland (Member # 28) on :
Joe,
I have not used LuminOre personally, but do have sample pieces of it and some “possible” alternatives.
If it is decided not to pursue the LuminOre route, and as others have already mentioned, there are some “similar” alternatives. A little under a year ago Mark Yearwood had started a comparable post about the same time Gary Godby made me aware of one of these other products at a meet. No great earth shattering news on that post, but you may want to read it for reference none the less. I have since “played/experimented” a little more with that product and two other alternatives and am pleased with the results. Depending to what “scale” and “frequency” you perceive doing this type of process in the future, these alternatives “may” or “may not” be the best step forward.
While I’m all for saving a penny, I wouldn’t readily discount a company’s business practice of a “buy in” approach with a closed mind of “slightly elitist or rude” attitude and possibly shut of a profit center for myself. Doesn’t mean that that vendor has to be my favorite to deal with or that I am “happy” about it, but if that company has no other policies that cause grief or concern, I’d surely investigate it. Someone may view it as a “cost” of three grand while the next person views it as an “investment” in their own future and profitability. Besides, I don’t pay the cost of materials, capital equipment, or labor used in my clients projects, they do. And who better to decide if something costs to much for “them” then “them”.
Again, don’t mean to imply that cost isn’t a factor for me or I like to toss money freely, but “actual” cost is more then just a “material” expense. If I make a one time “materials” purchase of five grand at the beginning of a year and it allows me to reduce overall production costs and I “net” five times that amount or greater a year, I’m rather happy compared to spending one thousand a month every other month and only realizing a “net” return by a factor of two. Everyone’s circumstances are unique onto them selves and there are valid reasons for doing things “this way” or “that way”.
If exploring LuminOre further, in addition to the contacts Mike mention further above, you could also try Jim and Bill Hamilton of Northcoast Signworks in OH (probably best to talk with Bill) or Shelly McMahan of Smart Design in VA. Perhaps sub contract work with any of these folks to help establish a market in your area. Let “their” investment prove out your market place. If it fails to grow, mature, and support itself, you walk away without having to have made the commitment. If it does take hold, you can take some comfort in the “realistic” probability of seeing a return on the investment made.
Wish you well in what ever direction you take with this Joe. You and Dick have produced some great signage over the years and looking forward to seeing new projects that are completed. Posted by Joe Rees (Member # 211) on :
Hey Bob, sorry if I come off sounding like a huge cheapskate sometimes. Must be my impoverished childhood, boohoo. Your points are well taken.
This is the kind of high-end look that excites me. Unfortunately, I don't have any real jobs in mind for it at this time, nor any grasp on what the demand for it could become. I'm simply not in a position to invest big money in a process that we may never develop a market for. But I'll never know till I have some pieces to show, and a better concept of the T&M involved in producing it.
With everyone's input, so far I'm up to five similar products: Luminore Metalia Sophisticated Finishes Artisan Metals Metallic Finishes The only one I have actually seen is Luminore and it looks SO FRIGGIN good! From the images shown on the various websites, the other one that seems to come the closest (like I can really tell from web images) is Metalia Metal Finishes. They also seem to be the second most cost prohibitive to start-up at $1900 (but we're getting closer).
So I've got emails into all of them by now. The one that can show me a physical sample that's closest to what I've seen from Luminore will get my vote. If Luminore ends up being the only one who has really nailed it so far, then so be it. I probably won't join that club at this time, but maybe I can use one of their certified aplicators to handle whatever needs arise in the meantime - till the market changes again and even newer players enter the arena.
ps. Edited to add; I want to acknowlege Kelly's submission. She and I have emails going back and forth currently. She might be onto a great alternative there. I'm game to try it.
[ December 21, 2003, 05:01 PM: Message edited by: Joe Rees ]
Wish you well in what ever direction you take with this Joe. You and Dick have produced some great signage over the years and looking forward to seeing new projects that are completed. 