I have an opportunity to bid on making graphics on the floor of a indoor football team. Green astroturf is the substrate. Can any of you give me ideas, tips, paints etc? Is a white primer necessary? How should I charge?
1 logo mid field, 1 logo in each end zone.
Thany You
Jerry Morrissey
------------------ Jerry Morrissey Rapid Graphics & Signs Omaha NE 402-597-3606 jcm@novia.net
Posts: 92 | From: Omaha, NE. USA | Registered: Jan 1999
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posted March 16, 2001 05:38 PM
I don't mean to offend you but this sounds like an important job, and by the questions you ask your not prepared with the knowledge to perform the task. If you experiment on this job and fail this will be very bad for you future in the sign industry and with this company. Maybe you should study and research and try the task at a later date.It's better to turn down a job than fail and lose the confidence of the customer.You don't have to tell him you can't do it, just say your so busy you wouldn't have the time needed to do the job justice.Just something to think about no offense meant.
posted March 16, 2001 07:03 PM
Jerry, I think alan was a little hard on you, but there are so many ways to screw up on this type of job, you better make sure, 1 you have insurance, two you know what will stick to astroturf, and three you get paid up front. LOL Just kidding, do some research before you accept the job. Bill
------------------ Bill & Barbara Biggs Art's Sign Service, Inc. Clute, Texas, USA Home of The Great Texas Mosquito Festival Proud Third year Supporter of the Letterheads Website MailTo:twobeesusa@netscape.net
Posts: 1020 | From: Lake Jackson,Tx | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted March 16, 2001 07:19 PM
Ditto's to the two above. but call the company that makes astro turf and ask what they recommend to use they will be more than happy to help you. Most of the companies will have somebody the can find to answer yourr questions. You have to remember they want thier product to look good at all times. I've been in the props and magic biz for all most 23 years and when I call and ask aquestion about the use or abuse of an item I have allways gotten a helpful response. Case in point, I sprayed latex paint on foam rubber for 15 years with an auto touch up gun before the idoit working the counter at the paint store told me it can't be done. Well I called the paint company and talked to one of their experts and the only problem is the latex paint is highly abrasive and wears the guns tips out fast and you loose fine control. Well thats not a problem for what I'm doing. He also said nobody ever told either the paint or spray gun that it wouldn't work. So check with the company. And good luck.
------------------ PTSideshow been there, probally done that. Wizard Works Show Supply Magic Props FX Signage Banners Ect.
Posts: 120 | From: Mount Clemens,MI,USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted March 16, 2001 09:20 PM
Alan...take a pill over there....gee maybe its just me but isn't what Jerry is doing...asking questions....research??? holy questions batman maybe it is...just maybe....hey i don't know how it's done either,but i wouldn't mind having the knowledge stored somewhere for the off chance even though its very slim i may get the oppurtunity...and i'm sure many other people feel the same way...thats the purpose of this site...although since myself and many others don't have this knowledge i guess theres no purpose for it since our careers are pretty much collectively over...oh well
on my way to read "What Color is Your Parachute 2001"
zman
------------------ Gavin Chachere aka Zeeman Miller Supply Co./Ozone Signs & Grafix New Orleans La. www.millersupply.net www.ozonegrafix.com
Posts: 1223 | From: new orleans.la. | Registered: Mar 2000
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posted March 17, 2001 12:54 AM
The layout is going to require some serious triangulation mathmatics. Simplified, you'll need to drive 3 stakes in the ground, top. bottom and right side of the logo.
Since spacing is measured in yards, you'll need to use 1" equals 1 foot on your measuring tool in your sign program. Print out a complete diagram of the logo in that scale, make that 2.
Take it to a drafting tables and set 3 pins top, bottom, and right side. Now attach a kevlar (non stretching) thread to each pin. Bring all three pins to the top left of the logo and set this as zero on all three threads. As you move to each segment of the logo, measure each of the 3 point distances from zero and write these numbers on a second drawing.
By triangulating each segment, you'll be able to tranfer the calculations into feet, and when you get 3 - 100' ropes out on the field, all you do is refer to the diagram and use feet instead of inches.
Astroturf, is just plastic. I'd use a waterbased paint shot from a pressue canister borrowed from a termite exterminator.Yes, I'd prime it first to make the colors bright.
There was a recent magazine article that demonstated this simple technique on a racetrack - daytona I think - Anyone remember?
Behold the turtle who makes progress only when he sticks his head out. GO FOR IT!
------------------ Mike Duncan Lettercraft Signs Alexandria VA
I have never let schooling interfere with my education - Mark Twain
Posts: 1328 | From: Centreville, VA | Registered: Oct 2000
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posted March 17, 2001 02:18 AM
I bid on a huge job painting a logo on the roof of a new building, covered in a new spaceage material. After many phone calls, I determined the correct paint and method of application, then enlisted the help of our own Si Allen to help on the pricing. I haven't done anything quite like this, but that's NEVER stopped me before. On the other hand, Alan's right about biting off more than you can chew, and this job could be a mouthfull.......
------------------ Sonny Franks Atlanta
"Well done beats well said every time"
Posts: 4117 | From: Lilburn, GA USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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posted March 17, 2001 12:40 PM
Did any of you read my letter? I said I didn't intend to offend but a job of that magnitude is not a place to be learning without having at least one person with previous experience helping you. Do you honestly think this is something he should jump in to, armed with only tips from people on this board. These large multi million dollar companies expect 110% top quality work and done right the first time or they will sue your ass to hell and back with lawyers you can't ever afford in your lifetime. My comments were not meant to be harsh, if this was your multi million dollar company would you want someone with lots of first hand experience or someone that's get on a BB and ask how to do it and what should I charge? Again I know this board is for people to learn but my God would you honestly tell him to jump on it. I work for a couple multi million dollar companies myself but I'm not going to ruin my reputation by taking on a job that's more than my knowledge allows me to do correctly. Sorry but I don't believe in on the job training without a qualified and experienced sign person who knows what he's doing training you, especially on a job of such importance anyway. This isn't your hometown little league you know. Thanks Sonny for recognizing the seriousness of the job and the meaning of biting off more that you can chew. A man has to know his limitations and we all have them in one form or another.This is not meant to be harsh just honest and I have a feeling some of you are going to be honest with me,I don't mean to hurt anyone's feeling,but this job is very serious and should be taken serious.Jerry should be given the honest to God serious truth.OK enough SERIOUS.
------------------ Alan Ladd Atlanta,Ga
[This message has been edited by Aladd (edited March 17, 2001).]
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