Help With Wooden Sign and Painting...
I have a customer that wants to replace their existing weathered wooden sign. I have very limited (actually exceptionally limited) experience in wood and paints. So much so that I don't know exactly what I need to prep the sign. I have a sole owner, part-time/hobby vinyl sign business with laser engraver. I usually work with metal, glass, plastic, and normal MDO (pre-painted) substraits for the vinyl signs but this one is a little different for me.
Here is what I have. The existing sign is a 14" x 36" x 3/4" plywood sign that appears to have been painted and then vinyl lettering applied. It does not look like the standard color (white) for pre-painted MDO plywood. Also the edges are not painted thus leading me to believe this is not what I am used to working with.
Here is my question: Since I don't usually use wood as my substrait when making vinyl signs, I have a few concerns that I can make this sign last and produce a good product.
1. What is the best wood to use for an outdoor sign of this nature? If I dont have to use MDO, that is good, then what plywood (customer wants to stay with this as this is what they used in the past.)
2. What is the best prep work to make the final product? Vinyl letters are goind to be applied to the finished product and I want them to stick correctly...duh...:confused:
3. I need to have it painted. What is the best type of paint and how should it be applied? Again, vinyl lettering is going to be placed on the item so it has to accept the vinyl and stick good. Customer says last sign lasted 10 years, so they are expecting the same. (I use Arlon, 3M, and Oracal for my vinyl.)
4. Please be as detailed and specific as you can, like I said, I have NO experience in this field, but would like to learn so I can expand my business also.
Thank you in advance for all your suggestions and help,:D
Scott
Thank you for the information....
Joe,
Thanks for the call and the information you gave me in addition to the posted info. Nice to know someone from down here and can talk about some of the same things in this area.
Brian,
Thanks for the re-enforcement of Joe's input and I will see about rounding the edges a bit, didnt think about that idea. I am going to see about DiBond, and try to get the customer to agree to it, but like you indicated, they are replacing and existing sign and we may have the 'Why change now?' thought process....but we will see.
The customer has been told that I will not give a 10 year warranty on the sign but I will warranty it for 4 years, for material and workmanship, not outside influences. (Someone else painting it for me after it is up with some graffiti that I cant read..)
Again THANK YOU BOTH !!