Well, on July 2nd, I installed the first Bronze plaque to come out of Island Sign. I designed it & subbed out the manufacturing. I installed it using a pattern to drill 6" deep in concrete block, to match the four 3/8" threaded studs provided. I had been given no specific instructions to be extra concerned about vandalism, so with liberal amounts of fresh 2-part epoxy... I felt sure that the plaque would not fall down.
After the plaque went up on the 2nd, there was a formal dedication on the 3rd, to honor all veterans, as that is what the plaque is designed to do. When this ceremony was concluded, I was asked about ways to further prevent the plaque from theft, or to minimize the threat of damage from vandalism.
I mentioned drilling through the face of the plaque, and using concrete anchors, with vandal resistant nuts.
They also asked about plexiglas to guard against someone defacing the plaque. I'd like to think this would not happen, but the Department of Parks and Rec must see a lot of it, because they are genuinely concerned. Now I'm concerned too.
I mentioned the thought of a clear polycarbonite material like lexan, as a possible improvement to their plexiglas idea. I mentioned that perhaps it could be cut to follow the shape of the plaque, but 1" larger all the way around, with concrete anchors & vandal resistant nuts again. Also, some type of 1/2" spacer could possibly protect the concrete anchor bolts.
Is 1/2" thick lexan a reasonably valid material? I realize someone could sand or scratch it to where you can't see through it, but they still want to try something, even if they have to replace it every so often. Will this material be easy to route to a custom shape?
Does anyone have any other ideas? was also thinking of an on-site welder adding some sort of bracket thatisn't too intrusive/
here's a few pics, one of the plaque after I installed it. (There were 3 blocks of "splitblock" that were painted green, and were the type that is sold with one face looking like real rock. I had to grind down 1" worth of rock-like texture, on a 24" x 8" section to make room for the sign. Eventually, they will paint the rest of the green ones white. The second pic shows how it will look after painting, and also what a 2 part clear shield my look like as well.
[ July 05, 2009, 11:31 PM: Message edited by: Doug Allan ]
Posted by Mark Matyjakowski (Member # 294) on :
if the plan is to put a face over it I might opt for a nice case (with a good deal of space around the plaque)
Posted by Checkers (Member # 63) on :
Hiya Doug,
Nice job.
The only thing that will make it theft and vandal "PROOF" is an armed guard posted 24/7/365. Anything else, as you probably know, would just be resistant.
I like Mark's idea of a case. However, you would have to be careful there too because any enclosure may collect moisture and condensation.
Just for kicks and giggles, I would try Nelson-Harkins to see if they have anything "standard" that may work.
Havin' fun,
Checkers
Posted by Doug Allan (Member # 2247) on :
thanks for the ideas. The client asked about a "case", but I couldn't see it looking right, and thought this idea might serve the purpose, at less cost... but since you guys suggest a case too, does anyone have a photo of something similar, & advice on the material choice (lexan) and fabrication methods?
My client, and I both realize there are no guarantees, but if a potential thief can be turned into a vandal, resulting in a damaged or defaced sheet of lexan, instead of a missing plaque... that would be worth the effort. If the effort at securing it were to somehow serve as a deterrant from any damage at all in some cases... again, that would be a small victory. There most likely will be issues over time. We just hope to minimize them, or delay them.
Posted by Sam Staffan (Member # 4552) on :
I do not recommend a case. Doug, talk them out of it.
Even if it was just a cover plate to protect it, it will look terrible and take away the intrigrity of the plaque and what it stands for.
I would have set it just like you did and then added silicone on the full back plate 1" inset so nothing could ooze out and them just leave it.
I have done many of these in our local parks and Marina area some on walls and some set into stone, and I have yet had a problem with them and we get a lot of tourist coming through here.
Nice plaque Doug!
Posted by Jane Diaz (Member # 595) on :
I'm a firm believer in a 110 v electrical wire attached to the surface. I was raised on a farm and one intro to the electric fence was all that dumb animals needed to learn to "leave that alone"! It is amazing to me that we should have to worry about vandalism to a memorial plaque to our veterans but I know there are "those" people out there. There really is no perfect answer. If someone wants to vandalize something, they WILL find a way. I just wonder at the angst and the anger that a person would have to have to be able to take it out on veterans' memorials or like our town has had, broken tombstones. I guess there are many troubled people out there!!
Posted by Jane Diaz (Member # 595) on :
Oh, and the plastic box idea, especially if it is in direct sun, can build up condensation and discolors (yellows) after a few years. That's really not a great option. I'd say just convince them that there really is nothing that you can do to vandal-proof the sign or anything for that matter. That's why God made insurance.
Posted by Doug Allan (Member # 2247) on :
Thanks everyone. I called Nelson-Harkins at Checkers suggestion & they pretty much said the same things.
On to the next job!
Posted by Tony Vickio (Member # 2265) on :
As far as I'm concerned if a vandal wants to damage or deface a sign, he is going to accomplish it one way or another. I have never tried to make a vandal protected sign. Can't be done and still have an attractive sign. I tell customers the ONLY thing to do is.......................Make sure it is INSURED!
Posted by Mark Matyjakowski (Member # 294) on :
for the record, we've sold/hung hundreds of bronze plaques and have never made a case for any ... and can't remember any being vandalized (even in crappy parts of town)
the case idea was an if this (separate face) then maybe that hypothetical
really, I'm only half as stupid as I look ... ok, maybe three quarters
[ July 06, 2009, 11:06 AM: Message edited by: Mark Matyjakowski ]
Posted by David Harding (Member # 108) on :
I've never seen a clear plastic cover to "protect" a sign that didn't look worse in a year or so than the sign would vandalized.
In almost forty years in the sign business, I can count on one hand the signs I've built that have been hit by vandals. Protecting the signs is more an issue in imagination than reality.
