posted
Sometimes I do sign work for a friend of mine, & he had some 1 sided "Ready Set MDO" 4'x4's delivered here for me. He said all I have to do is seal & paint the one edge. Well, the edges are bad, have voids that need filled, etc. Also, it is only one sided, with that shiny brown backing on it.
1. What do you guys think of this "Ready Set MDO" stuff?
2. What do you do with the back side when you do a one sided sign with MDO like this? Do you coat the shiny brown backside anyway? I usually do.
Thanks!
-------------------- The Word in Signs Bobbie Rochow Jamestown, PA 16134
724-927-6471
thewordinsigns@alltel.net Posts: 3485 | From: Jamestown, PA 16134 | Registered: Oct 2002
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Paint everything, front and back, the same way, at the same time...remember, Paint=Protection. The object here is to keep moisture out. Painting both sides at once will help to keep the panel from warping as the paint dries. I would use ext. white oil primer.
BTW, the "shiny brown side" sounds like the face to me. Is the other side wood, or is it paper too ? There are some mdo's that have paper on both sides, but are single faced....the stamps are on the "B" side.
-------------------- Jeff Ogden 8727 NE 68 Terr. Gainesville FL, 32609 Posts: 2138 | From: 8827 NE 68 Terr Gainesville Fl 32609 | Registered: Aug 2002
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posted
The MDO we get here is called Crezon. The face side is pre-primed with a shiny white primer. The back side is the paper side.
For construction project signs that will only be up for a year max and then end up being wheelbarrow ramps, I don't bother painting the back side, and sometimes I don't even paint the front. For long term signs I paint both the front and back with oil based enamels.
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
posted
Thank you, Dave. This stuff is called Ready Set MDO because it has one painted side, so you don't have to paint it. The back side is the regular shiny brown paper backing with the stamp on it.
My regular 1 sided MDO usually has a paper front that I paint, & I usually paint one coat over the shiny backside, just because, to be safe!
Bob, the customer/friend bought this stuff from my supplier. I have used the 2 sided stuff before, because it gave me a quick turn around, but you still have to seal the edges.
-------------------- The Word in Signs Bobbie Rochow Jamestown, PA 16134
724-927-6471
thewordinsigns@alltel.net Posts: 3485 | From: Jamestown, PA 16134 | Registered: Oct 2002
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posted
I used "one sided" stuff once! It almost warped into a full circle!!!!
-------------------- Tony Vickio The World Famous Vickio Signs 3364 Rt.329 Watkins Glen, NY 14891 t30v@vickiosigns.com 607-535-6241 http://www.vickiosigns.com Posts: 1063 | From: Watkins Glen, New York | Registered: Sep 2001
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posted
Bobbie, I prefer the brown paper on both sides, rather than the finished one side. I edge seal with paintable caulking then prime both sides and edges, 2 coats and then paint as required. So far no failures. I see signs that have failed within months, when the edges are not sealed, which I love as it allows me to justify my higher prices to clients. I actually take photos of these failed pieces and show them in my portfolio to aid clients in choosing our shop rather than Billy's Basement Blowout Banners & Signs. Dale
We use MDO quite often around here. I would suggest that you FILL the voids. We use a hot glue gun. Lay the MDO flat and fill the void with glue. After it sets up, come back and cut off the excess with a razor knife. Then fill the edges with what ever you would normally use.
You don't want moisture getting into the voids and seperating the plys. Ugh!
If you don't paint and seal it all around, you are inviting disaster.
-------------------- Jackson Smart Jackson's Signs Port Angeles, WA ...."The Straits of Juan De Fuca in my front yard and Olympic National Park in my backyard...
"Living on Earth is expensive...but it does include a free trip around the Sun" Posts: 1000 | From: Port Angeles, Washington | Registered: Jan 1999
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posted
Bobbie..Be careful that the "pre painted" front side is actually painted, not just primed. Even if it looks nice and shiny it might still be primer. And it will fail after a couple of years.
For edge sealing, I use acrylic latex caulking. I just run a bead around the edges and smooth it with my finger, being sure to "squish" lots of it into any voids in the edges.
So far..any "long term" MDO signs I have done have not failed. Some are over 10 years old.
Would be good if some started to fail, since I have the layouts on file and can re-do em for more money now and less work! LOL
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
posted
Use only "Good 2 sides" MDO. We used 1 time, good 1 side MDO, sealed the edges with West Systems epoxy, then all sides 2 coats of primer, and 2 coats 1 Shot lettering enamel./ In 1 months time the sign warped very badly. All the "Good 2 sides" signs, some 10 years old, are still in new condition.
Diane
-------------------- Balch Signs 1045 Raymond Rd Malta, NY 12020 518 885-9899 signs@balchsigns.com http://www.balchsigns.com Posts: 1695 | From: MaltaNY | Registered: Jan 2000
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posted
Use only 2 sided mdo,sand both sides wit 100 grit paper then prime with latex exterior primer then sand with 100 grit both sides paint 2 top coats of exterior latex sanding between coats.I have gone to the latex and have no problems with the chalking and fading with 1-5 shotor any other enamel.
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