I've called a couple suppliers and found only one that carries a matt finish 4x8x3'16 175.00 per sheet. Ouch! Do you know of any other suppliers that I could check. I guess if it comes down to it I could etchmark the back side of clear acrylic? What do you think?
Thanks
-------------------- Chuck Gallagher Pro Graphics Signs by Design Cabool, MO 417.962.3291 "I grew up in Letterville" Posts: 776 | From: Cabool, Mo. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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How does $175.00 compare to the cost of the clear+the cost of etchmark+your labor to install it? How would it look clear? Too glossy at certain angles, perhaps. Just wondering.
-------------------- Jeff Vrstal Main Street Signs 157 E. Main Street Evansville, WI 53536 1-608-882-0322 Posts: 670 | From: Evansville, Wisconsin | Registered: Sep 2001
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The cost from a different supplier is 161.00 for 1/2" clear, so the 175.00 for the matt finish is the way to go. I just can't get it through my head why plastic is so high. That's the way it goes....................
-------------------- Chuck Gallagher Pro Graphics Signs by Design Cabool, MO 417.962.3291 "I grew up in Letterville" Posts: 776 | From: Cabool, Mo. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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I take that back. I made a mistake. A 3/16 matt finish is 175. I want the thickness for ridgidity so I'm going for the clear 1/2 and then put either etchmark or another difuser type vinyl over it and that should look good. So, for a 1/2 clear sheet 4'x8' it's from 161 - 178 per sheet plus vinyl.
See ya
-------------------- Chuck Gallagher Pro Graphics Signs by Design Cabool, MO 417.962.3291 "I grew up in Letterville" Posts: 776 | From: Cabool, Mo. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Hiya Chuck, Had a bad day at work so I apologize for not saying anything sooner. I called my local supplier & was quoted $88 for 3/16" x 4' x 8' and about $170 for ¼" thick (I pick it up). Their product was Chemcast P 95 frosted acrylic. While it's a lot more expensive compared to wood, the look and durability is, imho, worth the expense. I've never done a 8' long panel but my guess would be to use 1/4" and at least 8 stand offs. Stand-offs/mounting hardware can be expensive, $30 or more for a set of 4. You may want to try the local hardware first to see if you can make your own using stainless steel. I wouldn't attempt using etched vinyl. Just because I've never tried it this way & wouldn't know how it would look or last. Maybe for a different approach, just sandblast the back side of some clear acrylic and letter the front? Once again, I've never tried it. Havin' fun, Checkers
-------------------- a.k.a. Brian Born www.CheckersCustom.com Harrisburg, Pa Work Smart, Play Hard Posts: 3775 | From: Harrisburg, Pa. U.S.A. | Registered: Nov 1998
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Sorry about the bad day. Had one just last week and the week before and this week's not over yet. Anyway, the idea is excellent, but the biggest panel is a 4x8 and I've never used it before like this but seems like the 1/4" would flex somewhat, so I'm going to go a step further and use 1/2" clear and back it with either Etchmark or maybe a diffuser vinyl or what Eric offer was from 3M. Because of the size I think I need to try it this way over the clear because in the clear I can get it thicker. Now that you know the size of the big panel do you agree or do you think the 1/4" would work? Also is there a name for the hardware so I can ask around.
Thanks again and bad days suck.
See 'ya
-------------------- Chuck Gallagher Pro Graphics Signs by Design Cabool, MO 417.962.3291 "I grew up in Letterville" Posts: 776 | From: Cabool, Mo. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Hiya Chuck, The stand offs we're currently using are manufactured by Stand Off Systems out of Reno Nevada, 702-829-7272. A 4'x 8'x ½" Panel? That's gonna be a heavy sucker! I would try to stick with ¼" and use more mounts. But there might be some flexing towards the center of the plastic. Also, think you would be asking for trouble using a full 4'x 8' sheet in general. Just trying to hang it will be difficult. If you scratch it or somehow screw it up, you're replacing the whole thing. Try to steer the client towards individual panels for each tennant. You'll get better support with the smaller panels and it will be easier to work with and replace when neccessary, in general. Havin' fun, Checkers
I forgot to mention, when trying to hang something that heavy, the stand offs will have to be big. You're probably looking at $20-30 per mount <OUCH!>.
-------------------- a.k.a. Brian Born www.CheckersCustom.com Harrisburg, Pa Work Smart, Play Hard Posts: 3775 | From: Harrisburg, Pa. U.S.A. | Registered: Nov 1998
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