posted
I do a lot of sidewalk signs (A-frames, sandwich boards, whatever you want to call them). I've never found anything better than MDO. These signs are usually hauled in every night, and taken out in the morning. They get knocked over by people, blown over by wind (50mph wind), rained on, and they still hold up. The MDO is heavy enough to keep them up in most weather, and resists dings and dents. It is easy to shape, and I don't have to worry too much about anybody cutting themselves on it.
I followed Mr. Chapman's advice from years ago (I think it was a magazine article) and round over the edges with a 1/8" roundover bit. One coat of primer each side and one coat of paint on the back and two coats on the face.
My very first one is still looking good 11 years later.
I'm now using an FSC-certified MDO. It is not as nice as the Simpson. The woodgrain swells up through the overlay, and there are voids. Still, wood is a renewable resource, and I feel good using this stuff.
-------------------- :: Scooter Marriner :: :: Coyote Signs :: :: Oakland, CA :: :: still a beginner :: :: Posts: 1356 | From: Oakland (and San Francisco) | Registered: Mar 2001
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Can you please explain "rounding over the edges with a 1/8" roundover bit." What is this and why does it help?
Thanks...
Jeff
-------------------- Jeff Margeson High School Art Teacher 49 Kincaid St. Bolivar, NY 14715 jmargeson@brcs.wnyric.org Posts: 29 | From: Bolivar, NY | Registered: May 2008
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It helps water drain away from the edge...keep paint on it better as well. Also the Bottom edge of a sign is even more important than the top..Where does the moisture sit? at the bottom.
You can also just use a block of wood and a piece of sandpaper or an orbital sander.
-------------------- Mike Meyer Sign Painter 189 1st Ave n P.O. Box 3 Mazeppa, Mn 55956
We are not selling, we are staying here in Mazeppa....we cannot re-create what we have here....not in another lifetime! SO Here we are!!!!!!!
In this process, I'm guessing it is a slight erosion of the material, almost unnoticeable?
-------------------- Jeff Margeson High School Art Teacher 49 Kincaid St. Bolivar, NY 14715 jmargeson@brcs.wnyric.org Posts: 29 | From: Bolivar, NY | Registered: May 2008
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posted
The weakest point of any paint film is where it goes over a sharp edge. There is a tendency for the paint to pull away from a 90 degree edge, so there is less paint there than anywhere else on the sign.
By rounding over the panel slightly there is no edge for the paint to have to go around and thus you get a more continuous paint film - hence, less breakdown.
You could use a quarter inch round-over bit with a router or just round over the edge with an orbital sander or sanding block.
It works.
P.S. to Mike: I always wondered why you walked that way.
[ May 21, 2008, 06:59 PM: Message edited by: Raymond Chapman ]
-------------------- Chapman Sign Studio Temple, Texas chapmanstudio@sbcglobal.net Posts: 6306 | From: Temple, Texas, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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