For the March Letterhead News column, I was considering writing about refurbishing or reworking aging or faulty signs. I know the best answer to this solution is probably just selling them a new sign, but what if the customer stubbornly refuses, and insists you rework their old sign?
What are some good techniques for reconditioning an MDO, HDU, redwood, AlumaLite, etc.? And, what are pricing policies for rework? If you're interested in taking part, please respond to me directly at steve.aust@stmediagroup.com or (800) 925-1110, ext. 308.
Thanks for your help.
-------------------- Steve Aust Signs of the Times Magazine Posts: 14 | From: Cincinnati, OH | Registered: Oct 2001
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Steve, There could be exceptions to this rule but, I always explain to the customer that it will cost them more in labor to refurbish aluminum, MDO, Alumalite etc. than the substrate is worth. I even get folks wanting banners re-done. After telling them that it will cost $40/hr. for me to pull off the old vinyl, strip off the paint etc., it usually ends right there.
Now, HDU and redwood is a different story. We have restored lots of those.
[ December 11, 2003, 05:25 PM: Message edited by: Wayne Webb ]
-------------------- Wayne Webb Webb Signworks Chipley, FL 850.638.9329 wayne@webbsignworks.com Posts: 7403 | From: Chipley,Florida,United States | Registered: Oct 1999
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Any idea why Letterville was not mentioned in the French Kiss a Brush carving story in SOTT? It wouldn't have happened without this site. It's not just me. I think alot of us have been wondering about that.
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I've refinished (or freshened-up) signs before. Sometimes a sign can be cleaned and clearcoated for a reasonable price and still make a good profit. An MDO sign that has begun to "chalk" but not peel or delaminate can come back to life after cleaning throughly with water and dish soap. Once dry, a coat of one shot sign restoring clear brings back the shine. I've cleaned, primed (with an airless sprayer) and repainted many sandblasted signs as well. Due to the raised surfaces, sandblasted signs are quick and easy to repaint. Most times I can charge more than my typical shop rate on these kinds of jobs, and very little sales time is required.
-------------------- Tim Whitcher Adrian, MI Posts: 1546 | From: Adrian, MI | Registered: Mar 1999
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I can be just as stubborn as my customers. I tell them that I'll charge them $65/hour to rework their sign, and that it looks as though it will take about 10 hours.
Quite frankly, I don't have time to be dickin' around (can I use that word on this board?) with refinishing signs. Chances are, it was a sign that was made by somebody other than myself (as I've only been in business for 6 years), and isn't of the quality that I would normally present to a customer in the first place. In other words, I don't want my name on that sign at all - as it's not really my work.
If a customer is so cheap that he won't give up on an old sign, I don't need that customer.
p.s. I don't mind re-painting older carved signs, as they're quite exceptional, and I certainly don't have the talent to carve them myself!
-------------------- Janet Bakewell One Sun Grafiks Inc. Slave Lake, AB Canada www.onesungrafiks.com Posts: 128 | From: Slave Lake, AB Canada | Registered: Apr 1999
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