I am looking for an inexpensive substrate for outdoors....Maybe 1/8" to 1/4" thick.
I will cut out 20" letters and apply to plywood surface..
My customer is somewhat "Financially Challenged"
Would prefer a BLACK material so I will not have to paint.... Any help would be appreciated. Shep'
Posted by Mark Smith (Member # 298) on :
How about Versacel (Sintra)? It's about $30 for a 4x8 sheet.
[ February 15, 2002: Message edited by: Mark Smith ]
Posted by Rob Larkham (Member # 2105) on :
Mark took the word right out of my mouth
Posted by Arvil Shep' Shepherd (Member # 2030) on :
I had considered this.....but was told by an employee of my Supplier that the color would fade...!!!!!! Is this true ???????? I was going to use Black....Keep in mind these letters will face the Southern Sun at a location about 1 mile from the ocean. Shep'
Posted by Doug Allan (Member # 2247) on :
for the VERY financially challenged, use coroplast or corex. ($8 for a 4'x8') It comes in black & can be cut easily with a utility knife & will last years outdoors. (It is a little ugly, but they get what they pay & for & 20" letters it shouldn't be getting much scrutiny.)
Posted by Janette Balogh (Member # 192) on :
Dimensional letters from Gemini. Already cut ... and already black.
Might be cheaper ... unless your labour goes for less. Hope not.
You are describing a customer who wants dimension, and is concerned about longevity ... not sure that exists on a "finacially impaired" budget.
It's looking to me that you are spending too much time (costing you money) to save this customer money.
Posted by PKing (Member # 337) on :
I agree with Janette. Way too much of your time,as opposed to their budget. Paint the letters,paint a shade,paint an outline! OR.....order from Gemini
Posted by Joe Rees (Member # 211) on :
It wouldn't take much extra time to roll a thin coat of satin black on the faces of those PVC letters. Better yet, let him do it a couple years down the road if it becomes an issue.
If you're going to cut PVC with a sabre saw I've got two suggestions...Put some 2" thick builders insulation foam under it so you can work supported on a flat table instead of hanging out over the edges of sawhorses, flopping. Get a saw blade made specifically for PVC too. Not such an issue on thin material, but for 3/4" stock, PVC can be horrible without the right blade.
Posted by Arvil Shep' Shepherd (Member # 2030) on :
Joe, I had planned on using a Band Saw for most of the cuts..........This goes really fast. Shep'
Posted by Jeffrey Vrstal (Member # 2271) on :
How is that Sintra or Celtec (especially BLACK) going to hold up in the southern sun? I would not be as worried about the fading as the distortion.
Has anyone had any problems with this?
Posted by roger bailey (Member # 556) on :
Maybe "spending some time on this chalenged customer" will keep Shep from spending too much time with the next one !!
Its all part of "doin buiss." its all good!!
Roger
Posted by bronzeo (Member # 1408) on :
Shep, With money being the issue here, why not go to vinyl, as 1/4 inch is not a lot of depth anyway. I wouldn't see how that this thickness of copy could add that much appeal considering the extra cost.
Posted by Arvil Shep' Shepherd (Member # 2030) on :
The BIG PROBLEM is the building that the customer will apply the Letters to.......it is a VERY ROUGH "Weathered Wafer BOARD".. So Painting the Letters or applying Vinyl is OUT OF THE QUESTION..in fact the customer will apply the letters.
(With NO guarantee as to the Fading, weathering storms etc.......)
In fact I was Lettering a concrete block wall next door,and he approached me .......as how I could do something to make HIS building look better......( After seeimg the results of the Sign on his neighbors building)
Shep'
Posted by Arvil Shep' Shepherd (Member # 2030) on :
Thanks everyone for the response...... I just sold the job...sentra will be used.. Shep'
Posted by Joe Endicott (Member # 628) on :
Shep, Roto-Zips work great, and fast for cutting out PVC.
Posted by Arvil Shep' Shepherd (Member # 2030) on :
Thanks Joe, Roto Zip will be my next tool purchase........
Posted by Mark Smith (Member # 298) on :
Be careful with the PVC. I'll get laughed off the board, but you really should wear a respirator if you're cutting much of that indoors.
Outdoors just stay upwind.
[ February 17, 2002, 08:50 AM: Message edited by: Mark Smith ]
Posted by Arvil Shep' Shepherd (Member # 2030) on :
Thanks Mark, If I am not mistaken.......PVC stands for Poly Vinyl Chloride..Chloride being the "Operative word".. Shep'
![[Smile]](smile.gif)