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You can use Bondo or any of the automotive repair stuff as persons have used this for many years. Mix it and put it on with a putty knife using it sideways, let it dry and lightly sand it with 220 sandpaper or a sanding sponge than its ready for paint.
-------------------- HotLines Joey Madden - pinstriping since 1952 'Perfection, its what I look for and what I live for'
If it's West System epoxy, it will "blush" when cured. You must clean off the amine blush to get paint to stick to it.
You will know if the epoxy "blushes" by looking at the surface after it's cured. Try to "smear" the surface with your finger. If you see a "film" or "smear mark" from your finger, than it blushed.
Ammonia or Windex with a rag will remove the blush.
I personally seal the edges with latex caulking "rubbed-in" really well. With a bowl of water to dip your finger in, you can smooth the caulking really well. A nice smooth look to it. Nothing thicker than 1/16" to 1/8" thick.
Cure overnight and prime and paint as usual (latex is my choice). Quick and easy.
MDO signs out there 12 years plus with no problems.
I hope this helps.
Peace, Bob
-------------------- "The 3-4 minute mark of "Freewill" by Rush.
Bob Kaschak Artisan Sign And Design Peru New York Posts: 1873 | From: Upstate NY | Registered: Jul 2002
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I've also used the paintable caulk for years with no sign of fraying edges on any of them. It has the added advantage of being easy clean-up and way cheaper than the epoxy.
I do it the same way as Bob says.
-------------------- Carole Bersin Carole Bersin Painting 3527 24th Av S, Minneapolis, Mn 55406 cbersin@visi.com Posts: 211 | From: Minneapolis, Mn USA | Registered: May 2005
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Titebond II is the best in my opinion. I brought that idea to letterville years ago and it was passed onto me from another sign painter. It has been time tested for at least the last 15 years. Two coats of TBII, light sanding and paint. WORKS GREAT!
-------------------- Rob Larkham Sign Techniques Inc. Chicopee, Ma Posts: 607 | From: Chester, Ma. | Registered: Apr 2002
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Whenever appropriate, I router the edges over with a 1/4" radius. This allows the paint a more uniform coverage all across the panel as well as right around the edges. As for the voids I use bondo and prime edges with oil primer mixed with linseed oil. This will extend dry times. Never tried epoxy wet, but I think I will.
-------------------- Curt Stenz Graphics 700 Squirrel Lane Marathon, WI 54448 Posts: 590 | From: Marathon, WI 54448 | Registered: Dec 1998
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I've tried 'em all at one point or another.
I now employ different sealing options according to the level of quality ($) that the sign demands.
For quick stuff, I use the caulk/wet finger method.
I really like Imperial's Aluminized Edge Sealer (the solvent based) - but it vaps off quick once you open the can, so it's best to decant it into smaller sealed containers to minimize waste. Great product.
For highest quality, I apply a wet coat West System (fast hardener) for penetration, then mix in some fairing compound (407 I think). Sands to a glass smooth edge.
-------------------- Steve Purcell Purcell Woodcarving & Signmaking Cape Cod, MA
************************** Intelligent Design Is No Accident Posts: 900 | From: Cape Cod, MA | Registered: Oct 1999
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I'm with Bob K. Paintable latex caulking. Overnight cure and then paint.
Quick, easy, affordable and no complaints in the past.
West epoxy is an excellent product but it can be "overkill" on an MDO sign?
Bondo is also OK for doing a repair job on a metal or fiberglass vehicle, but is it meant for being used on wood?
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
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Contrary to what Joey added regarding Bondo.
bondo and most body fillers are not water proof or resistant, when paint fails, will suck in moisture and blow finish off substrate.
Look at autos that have been repaired by splicing panels, will eventually suck in moisture, bubble, and fail catastrophically. You must use filler such as waterproof Fiberglas tigerhair and or similar products.
-------------------- Len Mort Signmaker1.com 11 Juniper Drive Millbury, MA 508-865-2382 "A Good Business Sign, is A Sign of Good Business"(1957) Posts: 811 | From: Millbury, Ma | Registered: Dec 2006
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