FSC88 Primer

[dvmike]

I have been using Precision Enterprises Precision Board HDU for 80% of sign substrate.
I have tried several sanding practices and primers with mixed results.
I used their FSC88 primer on the sign I have in the paint shop and the results are unreal !
A light sanding and priming and the surface is as smooth as lusterboard !
I continue to learn more every day!
This product will save me tons of time .

Now I'm waiting on Mr Crumley to post details of another project so I can salivate my way to my next learning curve !

[tuck]

You know something? I've been cutting HDU signs for years and have never used a primer or anything else. I spray on the base color and top-roll the rest for 2.5D signs and I'm done. Anything and most everything will stick to HDU, so you don't need a primer.

I do no sanding at all unless there are obvious tool marks in the background which happens sometimes, and even then I've discovered that the hand sanding process on HDU can make it even worse. It's very tricky, in my experience.

I suppose that if you want a super-smooth finish and are inclined to do all of the priming and sanding, the FSC88 is the way to go. Most of the signs I make are to be looked at 20 ft. from the road at 55 mph, so it really doesn't matter much to me and I've never had any complaints.

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f332/Superfan52/IMAG0002.jpg

I didn't prime or sand anything on this example. I gave my customer what he wanted, put my twist on it, he loved it, and I was paid well. This sign has been up for 5 years and still looks good. The subdivision went broke, but the sign still looks good!:D

There is definitely an art to sign design and production. It's not my first love, but having been in it for so long, I take a lot of interest in it. Our resident sign master, Joe Crumley, is always harping about design and technique, and he's exactly right in doing so. He's a wise old bird and knows what he's talking about. If you fail to grasp basic design principals, you will fail in the sign business. On the other hand, if you strive to make every sign you produce fit for an art gallery, you will still fail because there are no signs in art gallery's except directional signs: "This way, that way, Men's Room, Ladies Room". Signs are first and foremost made to do a job. Always remember that.

My point is that while you don't have to be a Rembrandt to design and/or produce nice signs, grasping a basic understanding of things like what Joe preaches about is essential. It will set you apart from the Mom & Pop sign shops on every corner and make you some good monies long after Mom & Pop have bit the dust.

[joe]

Thanks for the nice complements Mark,

I prime all my HDU with Automotive High Built Primer. Precision Board is the most grainy product on the market so we don't use it. Any other brand is better.

A year ago I bought a Critter spray gun for $35. It doesn't have any parts to clean and will spray heavy paints. It's now my favorite gun for non technical use.

Samples, samples, samples, will help with sales.

[dvmike]

Most of my signs don't really require a primer at all.
One of the 8x4 signs I'm working on requires a faux marble finish and a super smooth surface. The primer is very thick with solids and formulated especially for 15# precision board.
I used the Coastal primer and came away with a surface finish that looks and feels almost as smooth as luster board, yet the Auto grade paint I sprayed it with finished fantasticly ! The marbling is done , and I'm going to start my first attempt a gold leafing the prismatic letters on Monday. I'll post photos when it's done so I can get more opinions.
I will say that I by no means have it all figured out . In fact I'm still learning somethingt new every day .
I started making signs by painting them with severe weather exterior latex and oil based lettering. All my finishing supplies came from Lowes and Ace Hardware. While I still do about half of them that way, I have learned a lot from gleening experience from this site. By doing so I've started using more automotive finishes ,epoxy, and other materials. Mainly considering the application.
I post what I pick up in hopes of helping other newbies and people looking for other simple techniques.
I look forward to the future.......and learning more every step of the way!:D