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View Full Version : Ship signs make sure I am doing it right.



knight_toolworks
11-23-2011, 08:33 PM
I keep getting these ship sign jobs. they are usually for navy ships like tugboats. they come in for repair and they need new name signs. A lot of time they are rush jobs of course. This last one they asked for a quote to refinish two boards. Now I don't really do that but work is work. but I asked a friend who used to do it for a living and he was thinking maybe 10 hours per as they are 81x16" So I told them it would cost less to make new ones. so Friday I get a quote on the wood glued up and planed for me as I don't really have the tools to do large pieces of wood.
well Saturday while at the movies I get the panicked email that the ship is leaving Wednesday and is it possible to get them done by then??
I swear most of my work is emergency work. So I told them sepelle would be better then mahogany and I could get wider boards and I had to use all water based materials (no epoxy paint)
so Saturday I get the boards glued up in one big slab (had to borrow the clamps and use my machine to join the edges. emailed them the sample and they were happy.
So I sprayed the letters with shellac primer so it would dry fast I used three coats since I was painting with yellow. they a good water based sign paint (man that stuff is so much nicer then house paint) and while that is drying I do the backs in clear waterborne Marine clear.
yesterday I sand the faces and put 4 coats on moping the finish out of the letters.
So is primer and paint the best way or should I use finish then prime/paint? bleed is not an issue I just want to do the best job I can.

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s266/knighttoolworks/posting/97BDD44D.jpg

joe
11-24-2011, 10:00 AM
Good for you Steve.

A couple of suggestions.

I agree with your process with the addition of Mica Powder. My favorite paint for this kind of work is OneShot medium yellow with their hardner. The hardner cuts the drying time in half and makes for automotive UV protection. When your yellow is firmly set up, tacky, you dabble on the Mica. The setup time is close to half that of latex when using heat lamps. A soft, mop brush is used to apply the powder. It's inexpensive and easy.

www.letterheadsignsupply.com (http://www.letterheadsignsupply.com) (Mayan Gold)

It's as close to 23K as I've found.

Keep up the good work.

Joe
www.normansignco.com (http://www.normansignco.com)

knight_toolworks
11-24-2011, 04:10 PM
good info I forgot about the 1 shot. that was the brand I was looking for but the store I stopped in did not have it. too much of a hurry.
They were very happy with it and the speed I did it.