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I need to make signs to be out in the weather. They want coroplast but the signs need to be 24X24 (inches). I don't live near a place that sells this product and the only source I have will not ship the 4X8 foot sheet except for pick-up. Any suggestions? I thought I'd use MDO board. I purchased it from the local hardware and it needs to be primed. I'll be putting vinyl lettering on it, so what kind of paint should I prime it with? I do not have a spray gun to use one-shot. Is there something else I can use or should I purchase a spray gun and use the one-shot? Thanks for any help.
------------------ Where the possibilities are endless
Posts: 113 | From: Galax, Virginia USA | Registered: Mar 2000
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Cynthia..If the customer wants coroplast and you can't get it readily, try going to the same lumber store where you buy MDO and ask about 1/8" PVC material. It goes by several names such as Sintra, Komatex etc. but our local lumber yard carries a product that they call "puck board". I usually use the sintra but occasionally I get a call for something on the weekend when my regular supplier is closed and it is a good substitute. It is a little tougher to cut than the previously mentioned but it is also a lot cheaper than MDO and doesn't require priming or painting.
Just so you can compare..In Canada I pay appx. $13 for coroplast, $35 for Sintra, and $65 for 1/2" MDO
------------------ Dave Grundy shop#340 AKA "applicator" on mIRC "stickin' sticky stuff to valuable vessels and vehicles!" in Granton, Ontario, Canada 1-519-225-2634 dave.grundy@odyssey.on.ca www.odyssey.on.ca/~dave.grundy "A PROUD $ supporter of the website"
[This message has been edited by Dave Grundy (edited April 03, 2000).]
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Hi Cynthia. Contrary to what you may believe, it's not necessary to have a spray gun to apply 1-shot. To prep your mdo, cut to size, check all edges and fill all holes..what you use is up to you, but I usually use a paintable silicone caulking material. Sand the edges smooth, and give the face a light sanding as well. Prime the face and edges with a good quality primer...your choice of oil based or EXTERIOR acrylic based primer. The acrylic will dry faster, but the oil based primer will flatten out better and require less sanding prior to finish coating. The primer can be applied using a roller. When the primer is COMPLETELY dry, sand all surfaces that will receive the finish coat colour. Dust off, and you're now ready to apply your 1-shot. If you are going to roll it on, a foam type roller is a good choice for getting a superior finish. After rolling out your panel, you may notice many tiny bubbles on the surface of the paint. Roll out all excess paint in your roller onto a piece of scrap, or old newspaper. Then gently, with NO downward pressure, except the weight of the roller, re-roll the paint so that those bubbles break, and you get a smooth level surface. Some folks prefer to lock the roller in place, and drag the stationary roller over the freshly painted surface to break the bubbles.
Personally, I prefer to coat out panels as the last task of the day. That way, they dry during down time overnight, and there's little or no dust circulating from other shop activities. Also, if you're leaving panels to dry overnight, you have more room available to spread them around...which would interfere with normal daily activities. I also prefer two thin coats of paint to a single thicker application. Less chance of premature fading, plus better, more even coverage that way.
I hope this helps you out, and good luck with your project.
------------------ Ken Henry Henry & Henry Signs London, Ontario Canada (519) 439-1881 e-mail kjmlhenry@home.
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Only thing I might add from Ken's post is - you said you had already bought the MDO - if it's only going to be out short term such as Real Estate signage; 2-3 yrs.; I would skip the primer & go straight on with the 1-Shot, sanding & filling holes in sides with wood filler or a good caulk as described in detail in Kens post above. Signs will still outlast the coroplast. How will they be mounted? Materials Here Coroplast $8.50 per sheet, Sintra $40.00, 1/2" MDO 1 step $54.00, Wh. Econolite $68.00, Omega Signboard 1-sided $56.00, 2-sided $80.00 --what do others pay for boaards?--Carl
------------------ Carl Wood Olive Branch, Ms Sonicob@aol.com
[This message has been edited by Carl Wood (edited April 04, 2000).]
Posts: 1392 | From: Olive Branch,MS USA | Registered: Nov 1999
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