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Client called yesterday about a dimensional lobby reception sign we made for them about three years ago and modified (because of a small logo change) last December. Seems that one of the dimensional stripes has come off.
I went to the site late yesterday and sure enough the 3/16"h x 48"w x 1/4"d laminated gold mirror octolux over clear acrylic stripe had come off. This is the stripe I put on the sign in December 2002 when the company logo was modified. It was bonded to the stained wood backboard with clear GEII silicone. The stripe was very bowed. About 4" across the length. I suspect this is due to the Octolux and acrylic having a little competition to see which one could expand the most in the heat. I think the acrylic won because the bow curls towards the gold mirror Octolux side.
I had a go at reattaching it on site (while the sign was still on the wall) with silicone and a lot of painters tape to hold the ends down while the silicone cured. Didn't work. The centre of the stripe stuck, both ends escaped the bonds of the silicone and tape.
Any ideas of how to go about fixing this? I think I will try silicone again with the sign horizontal and a lot of weight (quarts of paint) on top of the stripe until it bonds. I also have to be careful not to make a mess out of the face of the stained wood backboard. Anybody have a better adhesive for making acrylic stick to stained wood?
I think my backup plan involves drilling 1/32" holes in the back of the stripe, through the wood and inserting a pin that can be glued or bent on the back side of the sign.
Anyone with a different approach to fixing this?
P.S. There is another stripe on the sign with the same dimensions and materials. It has held just fine for three years.
-------------------- Chuck Churchill, It's A Good Sign Inc. 3245 Harvester Rd, U-12 Burlington, Ont. Phone: 905-681-8775 Fax: 905-681-8945 Posts: 633 | From: Burlington, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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As you describe it, the acrylic is expanding more than the gold reflective face so it bends and pulls away from the rest of the sign.
I'm not sure how to fix your problem but it occurs to me that the expansion stress could be reduced by putting cuts in the backside of the acrylic. If that's too visible maybe you could rout out some areas so the back looks like an ice cube tray. I suspect that having less material to expand would prevent the bowing.
Or you might try putting another metal reflective layer on the back side to balance the stress caused by the one on the front.
ernie
-------------------- Ernie Balch Balch Signs 1045 Raymond Rd Malta, NY 518-885-9899 Posts: 405 | From: Malta, NY | Registered: Jan 2003
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posted
Have you considered removing the stripe and heating it separately, to get it back to a shape that is easier to adhere.
Then re-attach using high strenght double tack banner tape in conjuction with 100% clear silicone. Make sure to prep wood area carfully with Laquer, then alcohol.
If that fails go with the pins or a pop rivet from behind in a half hole.
Good Luck
[ July 18, 2003, 09:09 PM: Message edited by: Ron Percell ]
-------------------- Ron Percell Percell Signs 707-769-0639 Petaluma, California
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