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I am very new to the sign game so bare with me.
I have a customer who wants a 4x6 white sign with blue lettering and a black shadow (nothing real fancy). I am planning to use MDO. My local supplier stocks 1-sided MDO w/backing pre-finished.
What does with backing mean? Pre-finished? Will I still need to paint it or does that mean the vinyl can go right on it?
Also, I can buy edge cap from the supplier. How do you have to seal that to the edges?
As far as the painting goes, when I did a search of this board I saw a lot of different opinions. If you're really bored, throw out some more recent suggestions.
I am guessing around $200 for the sign. Does that sound too high/low? Sorry for all the questions. Just remember, you were a newbie once too!
***Anyone use econolite? Would it last longer outdoors than the MDO sign?
------------------ Amy Brown AMBO Design Lake Helen, FL jabrown@cfl.rr.com
[This message has been edited by Amy Brown (edited March 19, 2001).]
Posts: 3502 | From: Lake Helen, FL, USA | Registered: Feb 2001
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Amy...Welcome! I never trusted that Pre-finished crap. I'd use Econolite and use the edge trim. Blue with Black letters? How Dark of a Blue? It beter be Almost Robin Egg if your gonna see it against black. Is it one sided? Run er up ta $275.00 and talk em into letting you do the layout and colors. (When I was a Newbie Old English all caps was always a big hit! Also shadows that went to the top of the letter! ) Stay away from the religious, Guns, Politics and Paintings of Europeans with Boners on this Board and you'll be alright! Jump in kiddo! Have ya heard of Grain Belt?
------------------ Mike Meyer SignPainter 575 1st Street Box 3 Mazeppa, Mn 55956 (507) 843-5951 EMail-mikemeyer@sleepyeyetel.net http://www.markfair.com/mikemeyer check out this great web site..www.grainbelt.com
Posts: 3617 | From: Mazeppa, Mn usa | Registered: Feb 1999
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Amy..I am from Canada and the stuff you are mentioning sounds like the stuff we get here. The finish looks nice and shiny and, yes, you can apply vinyl to it or hand paint on it, BUT that shiny finish is actually a primer and it will only be good for about a year or so before it starts to peel off. For short term applications you can use it as is, but for long term you have to scuff/sand it and then topcoat it. Then paint or vinyl it.
------------------ Dave Grundy AKA "applicator" on mIRC "stickin' sticky stuff to valuable vessels and vehicles!" in Granton, Ontario, Canada 1-519-225-2634 dave.grundy@quadro.net www.quadro.net/~shirley
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Hi Amy. I would use a good oil based enamel to coat it out before you letter. Also you can seal the edges with silicone instead of those cheap looking edge caps. I never think they look nice, but that is just my opinion. Good luck with your sign.
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Amy, welcome to an industry without an accurate and logical pricing system.
You can guess all your prices, or you can pick up a handy price guide at your sign supplier or order one from signcraft magazine.It'llhelp ya get a feel for what we charge (or should charge).
Good luck, and hold on tight.
------------------ 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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Amy, Welcome to the strangest, yet most compelling biz in the world. You're in the right place for advice, fellowship, empathy, and good-natured derision. In answer to some of your questions, DON'T use the pre-finished stuff without rolling a coat of enamel on it. The Econolite is more expensive, but lasts longer. (Here's a good place to upsell) I agree with Cheryl about edge caps- they look cheap, and let's face it, MDO is not a permanent sign substrate. Don't guarantee it for more than a year, and tell your customer not to expect more than 2 or 3 years of durability (although they usually last longer) If you're installing it, don't screw yourself on time and mileage. The price guide also lists charges for that. Buy or subscribe to every sign magazine you can find. Finally, Mike's advice about color is right on the money. Beware of any advice he gives you on Grain Belt.
------------------ Sonny Franks Atlanta
"Well done beats well said every time"
Posts: 4117 | From: Lilburn, GA USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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I use unfinished MDO everyday, and out of 16 years of using it, I have had one failure, and I am pretty sure that was the primer. I sometimes buy preprimed MDO, but they advise you to use oil based enamel as a finish coat(one shot). You also can buy pre finished MDO with primer and paint already applied, but I really don't trust that. I'd rather apply my own primer and finish coat when I can. Some MDO out there is not very good quality. My supplier still has the good stuff coming in, and I usually guarantee my signs for four years. I have some that have been up almost ten years and still look great. It has alot to do with the primer and finish coat you use, and make sure you seal the edges with either caulk, epoxy, or what I use, exterior wood filler. That way moisture can't get to the belly of the wood and cause a breakdown. As far as your price goes, you are going to be paying at least 40 to 50 for mdo and higher for the other type substrates, so price where you can make a nice profit. My simple 4x8s goe for 300 and higher end 450 and up. Have fun, and come here often. You'll learn alot.
------------------ John Deaton III Deaton Design 109 N. Cumberland Ave.,Harlan, Ky. 40831 606-573-9101
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