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I'm sure many of you, who've dealt with MDO plywood signs for awhile, are aware of how the quality of the product has gone downhill in recent years.
I've got a few signs out there, that have some separation between the plies, that I would like to fix, if possible. The ones on the ends are fairly easy, as I can slice the plywood with an Xacto knife, squirt in some wood glue, and tack a piece of board on over it, til the glue sets.
The ones where there is a little swollen area, where the plies are separating toward the center section of the panel are harder to get to, expecially since the sign is standing vertically (mounted).
Has anyone found a glue that can be injected, or know of a hypodermic needle-type of way to insert adhesive between these plies?
It's really disgusting, how the quality of so many of our materials has gone to crap in recent years.
Would it be possible just to get some molding (1.5") with a 90 degree edge and glue that to the face? That would hide the bubbling face and take care of the edge at the same time. What you are descibing sounds like alot of work for what would be temporary at best.
Just a thought. Mike
-------------------- Mike Duncan Lettercraft Signs Posts: 1328 | From: Centreville, VA | Registered: Oct 2000
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When we make our MDO signs, we first seal the edges with West Systems epoxy with their fairing compound mixed in- to the consistency of peanut butter. When it has cured, we sand it smooth, then with each of the 2 primer coats and 2 top coats we paint the edges. I have some MDO signs out there 18 years- and the edges look great. Perhaps you can seal the edges with West Systems epoxy and their fairing compound, then repaint. You can add some paint or tint to the epoxy. You can try a glue syringe and inject The West Systems epoxy into the center areas and perhaps clamp some plywood over the area for a few hours. If you do that, cover the slit with wax paper so that squeeze out wont bind the plywood to the sign face.
-------------------- 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
I've slit the 4-5" bubbles and been able to open them enough to squirt glue in them and put waxed paper over it and a board and then a pile of gallon cans. I needed to use some putty to fare it all in and then paint. Big hassle and you never know if it'd be easier to start fresh with a new board.
[ February 14, 2013, 09:46 AM: Message edited by: Rick Sacks ]
-------------------- The SignShop Mendocino, California
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 6713 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Hiya Dale, the best way to fix this problem is to get better MDO - if it's available. I still (on a rare occasion) use Simpson Signal MDO and, knocking on wood, haven't had a failure yet. Sadly though, it's relatively expensive and only one supplier carries it. Anyway, I've had some delaminating issues with some veneered wood doors in the past and fixed it by slicing slits into the veneer, injecting glue into the slits with an "ink" syringe and clamping. "Clamping" the sign while it is still installed would take some "Yankee engineering" but could be done using strap clamps or a couple of clamps on the edge of the sign with stringers and wedges.
Havin' fun,
Checkers
-------------------- a.k.a. Brian Born www.CheckersCustom.com Harrisburg, Pa Work Smart, Play Hard Posts: 3775 | From: Harrisburg, Pa. U.S.A. | Registered: Nov 1998
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Yeah, I am trying to do this, basically, "on the fly". Most of this mess is on signs already up.
I always swing by signs I've done from time to time, to attempt to keep tabs on how things are holding up. It's been a disappointing few years, to see how so many of our materials have disappeared, become replaced with foreign crap, or just plain gone to crap.
I did find a glue injector from that woodworkers supply place, and will attempt to fix them in the way mentioned above. You're right about the American engineering, Checkers, and I don't think any customer is going to gripe much about a clamp on their sign for a day or so, particularly since you're looking out for their best interests....and ultimately yours.
-------------------- Dale Feicke Grafix 714 East St. Mendenhall, MS 39114
"I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me." Posts: 2963 | From: Mendenhall, MS | Registered: Apr 1999
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