posted
In the recent issue of Sign Builder Illustrated magazine there is an article mentioning the fact that some shops today do not paint the backs of MDO panels so as to have the product age faster and thus bring repaint work back to your shop faster. I never paint the backs of my single face MDO panels, and I haven't for years.
Around here shops just use block out white on the backs and leeve them to the elements. After a few years they really look shabby.
I use pre-primed one side, Simpson® MDO with Simpson Backer®. I was told by the rep that painting the backs of these panels is not required or even reccomended by the manufacturer. I have painted the backs for a few projects for aesthetic reasons, but I have never had a panel fail or warp because of not priming the backs.
Curt
-------------------- Curt Stenz Graphics 700 Squirrel Lane Marathon, WI 54448
Posts: 603 | From: Marathon, WI 54448 | Registered: Dec 1998
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posted
Do you get dressed and not zip up your zipper? After all,the clothing manufacture will tell you "it is not nessasary" Are you standing behind your quality made product just so it can fail in HOPES you get to replace it? Good business pratices should answer this question for anyone asking
Hope this helps
-------------------- PKing is Pat King The Professor of SIGNOLOGY
Posts: 3113 | From: Pompano Beach, FL. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
I agree with Cheryl, Pat and Rob. A sign ain't finished unless the back is coated. We coat all our signs with at least two coats of someone on the back. Usually we used a flat black exterior latex as it dries fast and two coats are quick to apply. If you have pride in your work how can you not paint the backs. I am production manager in our shop and I constantly fighting with my folks who say, "but it's only the back of the sign..." When a sign goes out our door to speaks of who we are and care and QUALITY that we put in each sign. Think I've said enough!
posted
I said that for aesthetic reasons I do paint the backs. However if a sign is going aginst a building, or out on a roadside, or back to back over two poles, why bother?
Simpson, the manufacturer of the MDO I use has a glue-finishing process for the backs of its one-sided primed panels, that does not require any paint. This is a laminate that is similar to an unprimed panel face, not bare wood. It is factory marked with the words 'Simpson Backer'.
Curt
-------------------- Curt Stenz Graphics 700 Squirrel Lane Marathon, WI 54448
Posts: 603 | From: Marathon, WI 54448 | Registered: Dec 1998
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posted
Hey Curt, then maybe Simpson Backer should also coat the frontal part as a primer. I'm saying that if the back part is laminated for its lasting ability, then why have they not coated the complete board.
I agree that signmakers should make a lasting impression on their customers by making the sign look as though it is finished and by not coating the back it would look as if a child did it.
Granted MDO is relatively cheap compared to other substrates, but when you coat both sides and the edges and have to wait a day or so to finish the sign, the only thing that is cheap are your labor rates. Use newer substrates which are directly made for signage and you can put out better work, faster and move on to making more money.
-------------------- HotLines Joey Madden - pinstriping since 1952 'Perfection, its what I look for and what I live for'
posted
I don't do signs per se any more but did my share when I had a shop. I never painted the back of of a 4x8 unless it was going up where the back was going to be seen. I forget where this came from but years ago I read something that suggested NOT painting the back. The reasoning was it helped moisture escape, prevent peeling. When a sign is painted front, back and the edges and any moisture gets inside (and it will eventually if it's not already there) it sometimes gets back outside by another route causing peeling and flaking, usually the edges. I've had peeling/flaking problems on signs with the backs painted but never one time on one with the back bare. The unpainted back would eventually start looking kinda rough but the I never head any complaints from the cows . The fronts and edges remained in good condition.
BTW, a few years back I happened to be in an area I used to live in years ago, I passed by a sign done in this method that was painted in 75 or 76 and was still up and looking pretty decent. That would have put it about 25 years old.
[ February 11, 2002: Message edited by: George Perkins ]
-------------------- George Perkins Millington,TN. goatwell@bigriver.net
"I started out with nothing and still have most of it left"
posted
Priming and single finish coating the back of an MDO sign allows me to have 2 additional coats on the edge of the board which is where most failures will originate. I feel both sides should be sealed to prevent moisture absorption from bowing the board. It really doesn't take that much effort and time or paint to slop those coats on the back and gives me peace of mind. Of course the people selling the product don't recommend painting the back. Aren't most suppliers into 'planned obsolescence'?!? The product fails sooner and has to be replaced sooner.
The only times I don't coat the back, and that is with reluctance, is when the client wants an 'economy sign' but I make sure that they are absolutely aware that I am not coating the back and that their sign will fail so much sooner. I've even noticed that several of them have coated their own sign backs.(LOL)
-------------------- Happy Signing...... Marty
M.F. (Marty) Happy Signmaker Since 1974 Happy Ad Sign & Design Regina SK, Canada S4N 5K4 306-789-9567 happyad@sasktel.net www.happyad.ca
posted
I always coat the back of MDO signs....it looks professional!
It is usually some nondescript color because it mix together any and all my leftover latex paints, just for this. It really doesn't matter what color that the backside turns out, just as long as the sign looks FINISHED!
Just my very humble opinion!
-------------------- Si Allen #562 La Mirada, CA. USA
(714) 521-4810
si.allen on Skype
siallen@dslextreme.com
"SignPainters do It with Longer Strokes!"
Never mess with your profile while in a drunken stupor!!!
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Posts: 8831 | From: La Mirada, CA, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
I only use ¾” G2S MDO - 5 coats of paint total, 2 on the back 3 on finished surface. The edges then get 5 coats of paint…………this is probably over kill, but I like doing it this way……….makes for a good sleep.
Curt.........would be interesting to see this Simpson product.
BTW.....with HDO you can leave the back unfinished.......that seems to be the standard.
[ February 11, 2002: Message edited by: John Martin Robson ]
-------------------- John Martin Robson Pendragon Signs & Graphics Yellowknife,NT,Canada
if it's not one thing.....it's two things Posts: 261 | From: Yellowknife, NT, Canada | Registered: Aug 2000
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posted
The Simpson backer Curt refers to is a factory applied coating, almost like a plastic. Paint doesn't stick to it very well, hence the manufacturer doesn't recommend painting it. What Sign Builder was refering to was "bare" wood. Hope this clears up any confusion.
-------------------- Rob Thomas 3410 Ketcham Ct Beautiful Springs FL 34134 Posts: 965 | From: Bonita Springs, Florida USA | Registered: Feb 2000
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. The fronts and edges remained in good condition.
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