Hdu

[genek]

I have been asked to Make a sign like the one the University of Kentucky has now, for one of the other campuses. The Hdu sign that they showed me is extremely slick and hard where painted. Does anyone know what they did to get the HDU Hard and slick there.

[cabnet636]

What city are you in, look for piedmont plastics or your local sign / plastics wholesaler. calling most of the manufacturers will get you a distributor and some samples

http://precisionboard.com/products/high-density-urethane-pbht/

here is a couple I did in the last two weeks

[genek]

What city are you in, look for piedmont plastics or your local sign / plastics wholesaler. calling most of the manufacturers will get you a distributor and some samples

http://precisionboard.com/products/high-density-urethane-pbht/

here is a couple I did in the last two weeks


how this sigh was done the raised parts was much harder than normal HDU and supper slick. Felt like Hard plastic. The raised was harder than the non raised was.

That is what is trowing me.

[bleeth]

A lot of signs are done with the letters being cut separate from the sign and inserted into shallow pockets. If this were the case and the letters were cut from PVC that could account for what you saw.

[garyb]

It sounds like it has an epoxy hardcoat appliied to it
Gary

[joe]

Lets all keep guessing until a close-up photo is posted. Gees!

[garyb]

well Joe that's the fun of it :D
Gary

[genek]

as soon as I can I will go take a Picture of it. ;Customer came by and asked me to go with him. had no idea we were going to look at a sign.

[genek]

Here are the Pictures of the sign that they want their new sign to look like

[joe]

The texture comes about when sandblasting. You gotta be pretty good with a blaster, getting the media, pressure and air flow just right.

Getting a slick hard surface on the letters and border can be done with epoxy and the doming process. I've made a couple of step by step on the forum. A search might be in order.

[bleeth]

Eugene:
This, like the other sign question you posted, is not only answered with "You need to learn the specific techniques from the beginning step by step" but also answered with "you need to get the right tools". Signmaking is a very difficult craft to learn and get right. Duplicating a true professionals work is something to practice on, but if you are going to attempt to sell it, you better have put in the practice first.
Just cause I can change the plugs in my motor don't make me a mechanic.

Both of your posts are short questions but the answers that will teach you how to do it are many chapters long.

[genek]

The texture comes about when sandblasting. You gotta be pretty good with a blaster, getting the media, pressure and air flow just right.

Getting a slick hard surface on the letters and border can be done with epoxy and the doming process. I've made a couple of step by step on the forum. A search might be in order.
Joe I am not going to try sandblasting. will let the cnc do the background texture. will do some research on your procedures thanks. you can see the sign on here I have it ready to cut did a computer generated view.

[genek]

Eugene:
This, like the other sign question you posted, is not only answered with "You need to learn the specific techniques from the beginning step by step" but also answered with "you need to get the right tools". Signmaking is a very difficult craft to learn and get right. Duplicating a true professionals work is something to practice on, but if you are going to attempt to sell it, you better have put in the practice first.
Just cause I can change the plugs in my motor don't make me a mechanic.

Both of your posts are short questions but the answers that will teach you how to do it are many chapters long.
I asked the question to learn, Right now I am the only person in my area that can do cnc work. I have to learn some how, to far from the good sign makers to spend time with, too far in debt with medical bills for my wife, and I will be having more added after the first of the year. the Laser worked just for a short time. They have scheduled the surgery right after new years to put the drain tubes in. I can not turn down work....
will be reading joes post and listening to the Pros.

[Bob Eustace]

Pic for Eugene

[Bob Eustace]

Another upside down pic for Eugene.

[joe]

Eugene,

To make this kind of sign, you'll need a work-around. You'll have a hard time sandblasting with no experience. However you could route the surface down, then do a stipple texture around the letters. It could look similar to the existing sign. A good stipple can be made with exterior spackle. Once laid down you use a brush in a stabbing motion to get peeks. A little practice on some scrap board is all it takes.

Doming with epoxy is strait forward. That sign could go fast. Not that tough.

[genek]

Eugene,

To make this kind of sign, you'll need a work-around. You'll have a hard time sandblasting with no experience. However you could route the surface down, then do a stipple texture around the letters. It could look similar to the existing sign. A good stipple can be made with exterior spackle. Once laid down you use a brush in a stabbing motion to get peeks. A little practice on some scrap board is all it takes.

Doming with epoxy is strait forward. That sign could go fast. Not that tough.

Thanks Mr. Crumley: I would not even try to sand blast, I will be trying to talk them into leaving it smooth, but if not will try what you said, or do some texture with the shop bot. still searching for all your post ..

[joe]

Texturing the background is a slam dunk and will look much better than a flat surface.

Over the years I've found many SB people down right scared of a brush. It's makes no sense and once they give it a try it opens up a whole new method of making attractive sign.

[genek]

they want a simple texture on the background. big news went to meeting with the University of Ky today and showed them the Proto type. They decided they wanted two of those signs and have asked me to quote three more signs and come up with a design for them. Painting is not a problem with me, I just want everything done correctly. I ask questions to make sure I am doing things correctly. Designing signs I have no problem with. I design everyday something new. I know People Like Joe Crumley have been doing this for years and are masters, That is why I ask better to look like a idiot rather than turn into one for not asking questions.

[Bob Eustace]

Eugene, Chrissy has emailed you some pebble backgrounds HOWEVER if I was in your shoes I would use the hand chipped look that comes with v carve as it looks really kooooool. But knowing you, textures could drive you nuts as they can add an hour to the job but you do save on sanding.

[joe]

I'm under the impression you're making more of this than you should.

Here are some examples of texturing with a brush using spackle. You can put it on thick and rough then come back an smooth it down. It's so easy and fast.

The first photo texture done with common "ThinSet" which is used to put down bathroom tile. Sands like a dream. It's the texture used on the Cardon Chiropractic.

[kartracer63]

But Joe... that makes too much sense, and appears to be far too easy. How could Gene possibly justify charging his customer $5000.00 per sign using a texturing process that easy?

[joe]

Shoooooo, Keep it quiet, you'll let the cat out of the bag.

From the bag of tricks, firsts "Texturing."

It covers most errors, and adds dimension. Lets, you and me, keep it as secret!

[bleeth]

Joe:
How dare you suggest to these guys, who are so hung up on using their CNC's for absolutely everything no matter what, that there are other ways to accomplish things with other tools that are at least as effective and much easier to accomplish? Shame on you! Everyone knows that their mill is the supreme deity and there shall be no other methods before it. :eek:
By the way. Stop by your favorite paint store and ask the guys to teach you about "texture paint". Talk to a couple drywall finishers about texturing with joint compound. Find a plasterer and ask him about texturing with plaster or stucco. All are quick, inexpensive, and easy. Not only that, but they all look more natural than any random texture you're going to spend hours cutting on your mill.

[joe]

Here's another fun and easy way to add a little texture. For a couple of dollars you can purchase this dry powder and mix it in with your favorite paint.

It can be rolled on with a floppy roller or applied with a brush. Don't worry about getting is on the letters or border. Just slop it on and remove excel with a sponge.

You'll need to come back with a finish coat on top of the textured one.

Good luck.

Joe

[Brian Harnett]

I am with Joe and Dave on this, the CNC is just one tool, our hands and brains can do a lot of the work better and faster.

[Bob Eustace]

Along the same lines - mixing talcum powder with de-waxed shellac can give stunning effects and is quick to apply and very fast drying (particularly if you pinch your wifes hair dryer!)

[joe]

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Best+Textured+Paint&Form=IQFRDR