posted
We put up a 6' long reception/lobby sign today with a shaped backboard cut out of brushed silver octolux (a thin finished aluminium) backed with 3/4" gatorfoam. I had a source router out the octolux/gatorfoam base then we painted the edges and applied vinyl to the surface. Looks great but has one big flaw. There is a 2" scratch in the octolux. Vertical scratch right across the grain in the centre of a O...the first letter in the name of the organization.
We noticed the scratch shortly after we removed the masking paper on the surface Monday night. Went ahead and finished the sign anyway as we had committed to the client to have it on the wall for his directors meeting today. This organization has just moved into new offices. When I put it up today the client saw the scratch in the first minute of looking at the sign.
Does anyone know a way to minimize or disguise the scratch? It looks brighter than the rest of the surface. It feels deep. I have though of trying to put a little silver paint in it. Failing a repair what would you do to satisfy the client? Am I in to making a replacement?
posted
Hiya Chuck, From what you described, the only "easy" way that I could think of is to have your sourvce replace the damaged goods at no cost. Other than that, maybe you could laminate an additional piece of octolux over the scratched surface & hope that the additional thickness wouldn't be very noticeable. Or, try to brush it out with some very fine steel wool or sandpaper? 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
| IP: Logged |
posted
Chuck, the anodizing process might be thought of like rust on steel - it is a chemical process that changes the outermost layer of the material.
The scratch removes that layer so that you see the underlying material. Brushing of any kind will only make it worse, because it disturbs the rest of the anodizing. It won't hurt anything to try a faux with paint, but I wouldn't give it much chance of working. You can scratch a practice piece in the shop and experiment there.
The problem is, the customer knows where the scratch is, so he will be looking at the sign to see the scratch, rather than just looking at the sign. Anything less than an invisible repair probably isn't going to fly at this point.
I've had this exact same problem and never found a solution that works other than the expensive one. If you find something that works, be sure to let us know. Wish I had better news for you. Vic G
-------------------- Victor Georgiou Danville, CA , USA Posts: 1746 | From: Danville, CA , USA | Registered: Dec 1998
| IP: Logged |
We do tons of dimensional work as you have mentioned and have come across many bad surfaces only to find out after completion.
Having said that, we rarely find ourselves in a position to modify the background without total replacement and take extreme care to avoid problems like what you have encountered...but
That "O" might be a godsend...although I am not familiar with oculux, You may be able to cut the inside of the "o" out and place it inside if it is not too thick a material carefully matching the grain value of the existing pattern...but after rereading your post, I am a bit uncertain if how you created the sign...is it stencil cut or dimensional text placed on to the background mentioned?...
-------------------- Robert Beverly Arlington, Texas Posts: 1023 | From: Arlington, Texas | Registered: Jan 2001
| IP: Logged |
Printer-friendly view of this topic