This is topic Need Advice..simple but never done... in forum Letterhead/Pinstriper Talk at The Letterville BullBoard.


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Posted by Gerald Lauze' (Member # 6443) on :
 
Hello All,

I have a client that wants a 2 colour vinyl job done to his truck in chrome and black. I have to do 2 doors and the tailgate..maybe the back window too.
Just a simple logo and lettering..
Since I've never done this before,I have no idea what to charge..Doing it is not the problem.

What's the going rate?

Thanks,

Gerald
 
Posted by W. R. Pickett (Member # 3842) on :
 
...Sounds lake about $200-250 per piece.
 
Posted by Gerald Lauze' (Member # 6443) on :
 
Per piece?

Per side or per truck?

G
 
Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
 
Gerald..Based on the logos being about 24"x36" maximum and based on 2 doors and a tailgate only, I would figure on about $600 for the job.
 
Posted by Gerald Lauze' (Member # 6443) on :
 
Wow..I'm glad I asked. I would have WAY under-charged

Thanks Guys

G
 
Posted by John Arnott (Member # 215) on :
 
I'd charge about $325 for the whole truck job.
2-3 hours !
No logo design.
 
Posted by Gerald Lauze' (Member # 6443) on :
 
I've designed the logo for a previous sign...But they did want to add something to it..Now it's 2 trucks!!

Thanks John.
 
Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
 
Gerald...I guess there was more to it than a first time customer and an existing layout that you already have, plus 2 trucks insted of one.

With that additional info, I'd lower my estimate down to about $400 each as long as both trucks got done in the same job order.

Double amount of materials involved, and double cutting/weeding/application time...BUT virtually no layout time.
 
Posted by Jillbeans (Member # 1912) on :
 
I'd be at $195 for the 2 doors and add $100 for the tailgate.
But I like the sound of $325 per truck.
I just got three trucks to letter today out of nowhere.
Love....Jill
 
Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
 
Wow Jill!!!

Here in Canada, the cost of materials alone would be around $100 per truck!! (using HP vinyl)

Add on the time to cut/weed/apply at $70+/hr...????
 
Posted by Jon Jantz (Member # 6137) on :
 
Gerald, a word of caution, just so you can't say.. "hey, why didn't you tell me..."

I've had mucho trouble with chrome vinyls on vehicles over the years. Especially semi trucks which get road slimed, tobacco spittle residued, pressure-washed, washed with only God knows what all chemicals and about every other type of abuse known to vinyl. I believe I could say all the lettering jobs I've ever had to redo (5 or 6 in 13 years) involved chrome vinyl. I've seen quite a few more that looked like crap after a couple years and weren't redone.

I've had problems with it discoloring, tunneling, delaminating, etc.

I'm sure there is probably a good chrome product out there that will last 6-7 years and keep looking good, but I don't know what it is... maybe some others will have some suggestions.
 
Posted by Dave Sherby (Member # 698) on :
 
Wow Dave... find a new supplier dude. $100 for materials?

Figuring each graphic no more than 3 feet wide on 24" material
10 feet black $16.13
10 feet chrome $16.19
20 feet application tape $4.08
Rapid Tac and Prep about $2.00
= $38.40 in materials

My pricing would be right about where Jill is without having to create a new layout.
 
Posted by roger bailey (Member # 556) on :
 
Jon, its usually Mylar material, lots of people shy from applying it.

Check out the video here www.youtube.com/rapidtac

Nothin to it, and if cleaned with Prep then TacII, well you know !!

Roger
 
Posted by bruce ward (Member # 1289) on :
 
I wouldnt do chrome it looks tacky anyway
 
Posted by Kathy Weeks (Member # 10828) on :
 
Jon is right, with the chrome vinyl. If you read the manufacturer's notes/warnings - these vinyls are polyester films, and performance life is 2 years, 3 years max. outdoors. They are extremely hard to remove, as the chrome will peel off as a laminate, and leave a super hard to remove material underneath. I've used mineral spirits and elbow grease to remove that tough stuff, it bites!
However, on some vehicles/logos, it looks great, and my be worth the trouble. Just remember - it won't hold up as long as regular premium vinyl.
I just did a tailgate and windows with chrome vinyl background, and had a little section tunnel on me. I was very disappointed, but customer is a super nice guy and will let it go if I make him DOT numbers for it.
 
Posted by Kathy Weeks (Member # 10828) on :
 
Oh yeah, I priced my chrome and black vinyl job at $250. That was for a left side tailgate logo and the two small extended cab windows.
 
Posted by Lotti Prokott (Member # 2684) on :
 
Avery Chrome will lift. Unversal Products, Premium Chrome Mirror, is a much better product.
 
Posted by Kathy Weeks (Member # 10828) on :
 
Gerald - I just looked at your website Imperium-Design.com, and all I can say is WOW! and Fantastic!
 
Posted by Gerald Lauze' (Member # 6443) on :
 
Hello everyone,

Thanks for all the info. I never thought to ask about the chrome. I talked to the client this morning and the job is much smaller now. Just the tailgate on a pickup and it's to be quite small at that..maybe 16"x6". And the other is is on a 1ton flat deck on the very back of the deck so maybe 6' x 8".
They want the chrome, but I may steer them away from it by telling them the lifespan of the stuff.

Thanks again,

Gerald

Thanks for the compliment Kathy..
 
Posted by Dave Sherby (Member # 698) on :
 
I extended the life of some Universal chrome greatly by top coating it with Frog Juice or One Shot clear. Never EVER put chrome down without a full backing layer of HP vinyl. It needs an outline anyway. That way the chrome comes up with the HP vinyl and doesn't break into little bits. Same with SignGold. That stuff is so thin it doesn't hold together for removal either.
 
Posted by Gerald Lauze' (Member # 6443) on :
 
Thanks Dave ,

That's a great idea..

G
 


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