I would like to hear others experience with the different brands of PVC boards.
Have you found any colored PVC to last outdoors (fading problems).

Jim Schneck

Dave

I have preferred Komatex & Komacel in the past. Reasons were multifold. It was the established material in the shop before my arrival, was available for free daily delivery, vendor had deep stock, and price was very cost competitive. (Thanks Harbor Sales!) I have related experience with the others mention as well in order to better match a color, or to have a certain surface texture.

All have been used both indoors and out. You can see some inside your park; look at the Crystal Springs carts in your park and you will notice 6mm Komatex used in conjunction with EDGE prints. Most any colored expanded PVC used outdoors in my past was small in size, away from harsh UV exposure and hi heat areas. Fastening took expansion and contraction issue in mind. UV and heat exposure can happen indoors as well, so it is not just an outdoor problem.

If I was to start a new shop, high on the priority list would be to contact all the manufactures of a given product line. I think it is good to here others experience as well, but I would make that only part of the equation. Read all available literature from the manufacture. Next, talk to a knowledge person at the company, and in this case, a chemist, senior R & D person, or senior technician; you will start to understand the chemistry behind the materials. I think you’re in a unique position; you have the ability to work with manufactures in a pedestrian harsh environment for testing and provide high exposure for the existing and future products. Use that to your advantage when speaking with them. After acquiring that knowledge, you will have a better understanding for what material to use in what application. Similar applications are not created equal. Understanding the science of the product is fundamental.

Unfortunately, after you do the homework, the “perfect” product may not be readily available or may be cost prohibitive. Supply doesn’t appear to be an issue with you, feel fortunate!

As a side note, you folks have some very nice signage within your park. Hope your Talon signs don’t disappoint.

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For what it's worth

Bob Gilliland
The InKnowVative Group
Harrisburg, PA
717.564.7650
bgilliland@inknowvativegroup.com

"A new idea is first condemned as ridiculous, and then dismissed as trivial,
until it finally becomes what everybody knows"
William James

So, you’re the one that did those Crystal Springs signs. I’m always leery when a vendor sullpies signage for one of their locations in the park, but was presently surprised when I saw the wonderful dimensional signs. You’re right about our environment is unique in that our signs are often interactive with our patrons. We always have problems with peeling vinyl, graffiti, vandalism. So we have to go the extra mile on some of the simplest projects.

Using PVC substrates has been a positive substitution for MDO for some applications. I just wanted to see how others where using it and what they encountered.

Talon sign! Still working on design. Don’t think it will be done in-house. 15’x8’ dimensional foam, with neon.

Jim Schneck
Dorney Park