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I have been searching on this forum about clear coats. I have also run into issues with clear coats and wondered if it was worth even messing with. I have a large sign to do for a business in town and I'm using polymetal for the substrate and vinyl lettering. What have you found to be the best vinyl for brutal Iowa winters and Hot summers? Waxing would help, right? So what wax should I use?
Also read about offering the customer a sign maintence contract. So I would go twice a year and rewax the sign. Am I on the right page with that?
Just want these signs to last and look good.
Thanks for any information.
-------------------- Dita Mallon Dita's Graphics and Signs, Inc. Sumner, Ia Posts: 119 | From: Sumner, Iowa | Registered: Aug 2002
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Perhaps you can explain that vinyl signs are your cheapest, low end product, and they just don't last more than several years. And they, the client should expect on either maintaining it on a regular basis, or replacing it before it falls apart.
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We never clear or wax anything and we live in Texas, where the summers are brutal.
The only clear that will outlast the substrate and vinyl are two-part automotive clears, but I still think that the best procedure is to use premium grade high performance vinyl and a substrate that will last as long as the vinyl - no clear.
-------------------- Chapman Sign Studio Temple, Texas chapmanstudio@sbcglobal.net Posts: 6306 | From: Temple, Texas, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Hiya Dita, The only time we clear-coat (paint or film) is for vandal protection or abrasion resistance. Anything else, i.m.h.o., is a waste of materials and money.
Havin' fun,
Checkers
-------------------- a.k.a. Brian Born www.CheckersCustom.com Harrisburg, Pa Work Smart, Play Hard Posts: 3775 | From: Harrisburg, Pa. U.S.A. | Registered: Nov 1998
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Thank you for the helpful information. You made up my mind. High quality vinyl and nothing else on top. So, here's the big question. What do you think is a high quality vinyl?????
-------------------- Dita Mallon Dita's Graphics and Signs, Inc. Sumner, Ia Posts: 119 | From: Sumner, Iowa | Registered: Aug 2002
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For many years I used Avery cast vinyl and never had a failure, in fact, 15 year old signs still look good. In later years Avery products started to deterioate, shrink and peel off.
I'd think 3M would be a way to go now.
edited to add that if you Do want to clearcoat anything, 2 part automotive clearcoat is the only way to go.
Wear a respirator while in contact with the product though...all the way from mixing to spraying or rolling.
[ January 05, 2011, 06:42 PM: Message edited by: Dave Grundy ]
-------------------- 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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We get our local auto body shop to clear coat bench signs for us - they are clear coated so people don't pick at the vinyl. Although we have the tools to do the job, we don't have to deal with the time element, ventilation, respirators and cleaning the gun. Works for us! Cost wise, we could hardly do it as cheap.
-------------------- Lori Wilcox Tabby Ink Hinton, Alberta Canada Ph 780-865-4305 Posts: 306 | From: Hinton, Alberta, Canada | Registered: Aug 2007
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