posted
A new customer asked me to make some banners to cover up their signs until they have new ones made with new lettering. This job I already have.
The two permanent signs are both stainless steel.
Sign number one is 106" long and 36" high and has routed lettering, and I'm not sure how they're attached, hopefully glued and not drilled through the stainless and screwed because that could make the stainless face unusable unless the holes are patched. This sign is at the entrance attached to stainless posts.
Sign number two is 36"long and 18" high and is also stainless but the lettering is either vinyl or screened on. This sign is mounted to the wall by the entry.
I have a lot of questions before thinking about attempting this job. The first sign with routed letters. Getting the lettering off and cleaning the stainless so there is no shadow (assuming there aren't any screw holes to worry about) And also the type of foam to use. Can I get anything at a local store to cut these letters from with my roto zip and then seal and paint or do I need to order HDU? And what type of glue to attach them with to the stainless.
Sign two. If it's vinyl I won't have any problem getting that off, but it also may leave a shadow? If the lettering has been screened on, what will take that off?
I would like to do this job because this is a large company and would be nice to have them as a customer and learn a new technique in the process.
Thanks
------------------ When good things happen...that must be a sign!! Ace Graphics & Printing P.O. Box 91 Camdenton, MO. USA (573) 346-6696 <daddyo@advertisnet.com>
Posts: 1199 | From: Camdenton, MO. USA | Registered: Oct 1999
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posted
I don't know what type of foam you're planning to use, but if you're gonna use the beady type, all you need is a hot wire thingy you can build yourelf or get from a florists' supply store. G'luck!
------------------ "He who asks is a fool for 5 minutes. He who doesnt ask, remains a fool forever." ------------------ Marcano-Welch Signs Luquillo, Puerto Rico 787-889-6608
Posts: 2287 | From: Luquillo, Puerto Rico, USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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------------------ When good things happen...that must be a sign!! Ace Graphics & Printing P.O. Box 91 Camdenton, MO. USA (573) 346-6696 <daddyo@advertisnet.com>
Posts: 1199 | From: Camdenton, MO. USA | Registered: Oct 1999
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posted
Is the stainless a brushed finish, polished or mill finish? If you are thinking of polystyrene lettering, bear in mind that they will "rot" along the top edges even if well sealed. Again if you are talking polystyrene, the best results are to cut (or have cut for you) the lettering from opaque acrylic, then adhere it to the polystyrene with a bit of silicone and then use the letter as the template for the foam cutter. This gives a dimensional letter with a face at least that will stay looking good indefinitely. If you want to mask the face of the letter I've found the easiest way is to put app tape over it and use a fine file to trim off the excess. If the stainless is a polished finish then you shouldn't have any trouble getting rid of marks or ghosting, clean it down and buff it. If its a brush finish you might have to pull it down and after cleaning it down, run it over a linisher to re-brush it, a stainless steel shop (handrail manufacturers/plumbing supply manufacturer...) could do either of these easily if you dont have the facility. If it turns out that the existing lettering has been screw fixed, they would also be able to patch and repair the faces but it'd probably be easier to just buy new stainless faces, might even be easier in any case its only moderately expensive really. Personally I'm not that keen on polystyrene, no doubt you could get them cut from a better material IMO. Perhaps you are thinking of "foam" being HDU, I dont have any experience with that material but from what I can gather it'd be much better. HTH, David
------------------ David Fisher D.A. & P.M. Fisher Services Brisbane Australia da_pmf@yahoo.com
Posts: 1450 | From: Brisbane Queensland Australia | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Antoinne! The best adhesive meium for SS is the 3M HB series of double sided tape. We did an entire airport with that stuff two years ago and everything's cool so far. Even HDU will work with that tape if the backs of the characters are smooth and painted.
------------------ St.Marie Graphics & Makin' Tracks Sound Studio Kalispell, Montana stmariegraphics@centurytel.net http://www.stmariegraphics.com 800 735-8026 We're chiseling every day of the week! :^)
posted
Thanks for the replies. The stainless has a brushed finish. I went by there today and they had taken off the logo and it was bolted on so there are already several holes in the stainless that would have to be patched or covered up with the new logo. I think I'll just leave this one to the big boys.
I would like to try the HDU though....I'm sure that would work just fine. I'll have to get a piece of it to practice on.
Thanks
------------------ When good things happen...that must be a sign!! Ace Graphics & Printing P.O. Box 91 Camdenton, MO. USA (573) 346-6696 <daddyo@advertisnet.com>
Posts: 1199 | From: Camdenton, MO. USA | Registered: Oct 1999
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posted
Just wanted to point out that if you spray coat EPS foam with two part polyurethane, it won't "rot" for a couple hundred years. It's the same type of material used for spray-in truck bed liners.
posted
Tony, I have been unable to repond to posts lately due to very limited time but I am back!
To answer your questions....
#1 Since the surface has been messed up...the only "fix" is to place a skin over the existing stainless. Depending on the color or type of lettering you would use, it requires eithe an acrylic or metal backing to hide the holes. Using brushed aluminum on a milled stainless surface will save the client gobs of money.
#2 We do not suggest any type of foam product in ground level application due to possible vandalism. Depending again on the material, I wouls suggest either a metal or acrylic product.
Hope this helps!
Robert
FYI...You are the first to know that our company has decided to host it's first Jam. It will be called the first annual Dreamweaver Jam...in march of 2002...at which time we will demonstrate cutting techniques that a very cheap and profitable...
------------------ Robert Beverly Dreamweaver Graphics House Arlington, Texas
"Dreams come a size too big so that we can grow into them"
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