This is topic Econolite/Alumalite Tips in forum Old Archives at The Letterville BullBoard.


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Posted by Naeyaert (Member # 954) on :
 
Hi guys...long time not on!

We're trying the Econolite/Alumalite substrates now - been using MDO for years! Any tips on how to paint on them? We use One-Shot Lettering - would that work fine?

What works best "butt joint" or "alum/plastic extrusion connections" or "overlapping edges and dowels"? I'm not sure I understand the question Mark wrote for me to post here?? Hope someone here does??

Thanks,
Stevie (who's four months pregnant with our first kid!)

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Mark & Stevie Naeyaert
Deaf Signpainter
Sign Language Interpreter Trainer
Signs by Naeyaert
Swartz Creek, Michigan
 

Posted by Greg Gulliford (Member # 170) on :
 
If I have to paint it I hit it with a scotch brite par, wipe it down and roll it with one-shot. As far as joining them together it's a toss up, Check out Laminators web site as there is a good page on how to join panels together. www.signboards.com

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Greg Gulliford
aka MetroDude
Metro Signs and Banners
1403 N. Greene St. #1
Spokane, WA 99202
509-536-9452


 

Posted by VICTORGEORGIOU (Member # 474) on :
 
We like alumalite, but abandoned econolite after just one try. the stuff is only strong in one dimension, and it is very easy to bend in the "weak" direction if you are not paying attention. Our people managed to bend every piece of the job before we got it out of the store. Threw it away and started over with alumalite or something similar. The supplier was sympathetic but unhelpful with $$ refunds on the econolite. Buy it at your own risk.

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Victor Georgiou
Bob Loves Signs Inc
Danville, CA
email blssigns@verio.com


 

Posted by Pierre St.Marie (Member # 1462) on :
 
Mark..........they're right. Scotchbrite the devil out of it and paint it. HOWEVER.......Alumalite is already old news for state of the art substrates. Dibond blows it away. Dead smooth, very strong, very light. Paintable, sandable, drillable, ad infinitum. Check around for a distributor to get info. We haven't used Alumalite in two years now. Dibond comes in 3 different weights and even in a 4'x10'.

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St.Marie Graphics
& Makin' Tracks Sound Studio
Kalispell, Montana
Mkntraks@digisys.net
Carving America into a better shape! PEACE, through superior chisel-power!
We're chiseling every day of the week! :^)



 

Posted by Brad Farha (Member # 931) on :
 
Stevie, congrats on the news of your soon arrival! A couple of years from now you'll wonder how anything else could have ever been so important!

As for alumalite, I really like it and have been using it and other substrates in the place of MDO for over eight years. (It's also much lighter and you shouldn't be lifting anything heavy!) Alumalite and Econolite come in a pretty nice assortment of colors too, but if you have to paint it I would recommend roughing it up just a bit with some fine sandpaper and coating with a good industrial enamel.

Econolite is not as sturdy because the backer isn't very substantial, but we have used a couple hundred sheets with no trouble - just be responsible when handling it. The drawbacks include easy denting/edge crushing and the edges are sharp - be careful or you'll slice yourself pretty good. But it doesn't require edge treatment to prevent delamination, although you may want to use some matching silicone on the edges in certain situations for aesthetic purposes. Joining panels can be done with "H-bar" molding or with aluminum dowels. I even use Econolite for full 4'x 8' real estate signs installed on posts and they work fine. Dibond is another nice product to look into.

As for MDO, I haven't missed it at all.

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Brad Farha, owner
Farha Signs
Beckley, WV
304-252-3778
farhasigns@citynet.net
 

Posted by Brian Stoddard (Member # 39) on :
 
I would agree about the DiBond, the only advantage Alumalite has is the thickness for flat installs. DiBond spec sheets show it has a polyester finish and recommends a 2 part urethane. I did this on a job that was a 4' x 30' sign on top of a semi trailer. I tested the 1-shot and it was okay, but the urethane was GREAT. Couldnt hardly scrape it off with a screwdriver, if you can I would go with the urethanes (by the way I also used PPG's Delstar which is an acrylic - 2 part)

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Brian Stoddard
Expressions Signs
A few puddles east of Seattle



 



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