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I have a customer that is moving his business into a location previously occupied by one of those large home improvement stores. Their old sign is still in place and he has recently aproached me about either removing the existing sign and replacing with new panels or creating something to go over the existing cabinet with his new information.
The sign is 2 sided and is back lit, and is 6 feet 6 inches tall by 22 feet wide. This is clearly beyond my capabilities, but he is a good customer and a good friend, so I still want to help him out.
What would you folks recommend? Thanks!
-------------------- Denny Smith 2 B Personalized Marion IN Posts: 52 | From: Marion IN | Registered: Sep 2006
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Denny, I didn't want to post help here, because I've not done that many of these and don't know if there's a better way.... but here goes.
The sign is most likely a flex-face sign. If it is you can order a new canvas to fit in the sign and it is fairly easy to remove that face and install a new one. I assume it is probably elevated 20'-25' so you probably would have to rent a lift, if you don't have access to one.
I've done 3 of these and all three had different methods of attaching the flex face around the sign, but all were easy enough to figure out.
You can order the flex-face with the graphics already done. Putting it simply, they can print the face with a four color process with any graphics or color background you desire. OR, if you client wants to save money, like all three of mine, you can order white canvas and use translucent vinyl to do their graphics. I did one of these over 7 years ago and it still looks good.
One thing I found out, it is good to look at the mounting setup to see how much extra around the edges you need. I had one ALMOST too short but it worked. The next one I removed a face from the sign and ordered my new stock the exact size of it.
You can also save the old face to measure between the marks of where the mounting hardware was. This lets you know where to put them on the new sign. If the old face had been tightened a few times and you could see it was almost to the end of the tightening screws, you can cheat in a little when putting the hangers on the new face to give you more adjustment.
I'd encourage you to attempt the project. I was intimidated at first, but they turned out really nice and my clients were happy. And that was even before I knew about this site and it's wealth of knowledge!
Let me know if you want to tackle this, and I'll get you the names of a couple companies that sell the faces.
I hope if someone has a better idea, you pipe up, so I don't lead Denny wrong here!!
-------------------- Jon Jantz Snappysign.com jjantz21@gmail.com http://www.allcw.com Posts: 3395 | From: Atmore, AL | Registered: Nov 2005
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6'x22'...... You said "panels" so it has face hangers for sure. If its going to remain backlit you're not going to be able to cover it with anything. The retainer ends will come off, one end or the other, but (you didn't say how high in the air it is) without a boom truck you're essentially dead in the water. A sheet of polycarb that big is heavy, long and unwieldy to remove with a scissorlift. Need more details before I can offer anything specific.
P
-------------------- Pierre St.Marie Stmariegraphics Kalispell,Mt www.stmariegraphics.com ------------------ Plan on knowing everything before I die and time's running out! Posts: 4223 | From: Kalispell,Mt 59903 | Registered: Mar 2000
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If this job is beyond your capabilities, then maybe you need to pass it on to someone in your area who can.
Doing a job and not truly having the capacity or knowledge to do the job right or, even worse, getting halfway through and realizing you are way out of your realm and having to abandon the job, will only make you look like a moron in front of the world and especially your customer.
I think most of us have been at this point before and I am sure that you will get all kind of "go for it"... "do it yourself"... advice.
I have done jobs like this before and theyt are not for the weak of heart. There is things you need to know about this job that only experience will be able to show you. I won't even venture a guess at what the sign needs.
Find a respectable and reputable shop near you and turn this job on to them or subcontract the job to them. Getting a slice of the loaf is better than no bread at all. Bread always tastes better than poop.
Just my honest opinion...
-------------------- Bruce Bowers
DrCAS Custom Lettering and Design Saint Cloud, Minnesota
"Things work out best for the people who make the best of the way things work out." - Art Linkletter Posts: 6454 | From: Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Registered: Jun 1999
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Bruce, thanks for the honest reply. I have the same concerns... I'll see if I can find someone else to sub it out to. I'm not sure, but I'm guessing this sign is at least 40 feet off the ground, maybe more
-------------------- Denny Smith 2 B Personalized Marion IN Posts: 52 | From: Marion IN | Registered: Sep 2006
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