What I have learned

[genek]

Most of you know that I am doing two signs for the University of Ky.

I have asked questions on the forum, and have received some good advice, on how to go about doing the sign and why I should not do the sign.

I have been given good advice and some good patterns to study.

I guess they liked the first sign, got another order for a third sign. Here is a copy of that e-mail.

Gene,

Here is the design for the Gazebo sign. John has approved if you can work your magic with the design. The font is Arial Bold. Thx.


Now for what I would like to share with everyone.

There is a product called x-i-m Latex x-tender (flow leveling additive.)
I talked to my paint supplier (Sherwin Williams) about how and what type of paint is the best. They told me to try the Latex x-tender. IF YOU are not using this in your paint you need to. You can not see my brush strokes it looks like I have spayed it on.

Now for what I have learned about Painting signs. It is a game of Patience, It is just like a paint by number Painting, stay inside of the lines Keep your brush strokes going the same way, take your time, layer rather than try to coat all at once.
Painting a sign you need lots of patience, when you get tired stop, clean your brush put the lid on the paint you are using and take a break.
Only take out enough paint that you can use in 30 or 40 minutes, use all of the paint up do not put it back in with the unused paint.

I would like to thanks everyone that has gave me advice.

I may never be as good as Joe Crumbly and some of the other people On this forum that there names have slipped my mind Like Nikki's husband.

BUT FOR NOW I AM THE HOTTEST THING IN TOWN. NO ONE IN THIS AREA IS DOING 3/D SIGNS. HAD TO SAY THAT.

will post more pictures as the sign progress's and is up.
AGAIN THANKS TO ALL THAT HAVE HELPED.

[Bob Eustace]

You should make money on the next one Eugene.

[genek]

You should make money on the next one Eugene.
Mr. Eustace could not remember your name only your wife's name. Thanks for the help. Thank your wife Nikki for me.

[garyr6]

Good work. It feels good don't it!

[genek]

Good work. It feels good don't it!
yes it does feel good. I have always been able to paint. Used to paint scenes on gourds of girl friends, neighbors, friends and to sale.
but doing a large project like this is nerving at first. plus I want it to be perfect.

[genek]

Another thing I have learned never panic stop and think what will the professionals do. I had a letter to Break off for some reason while I was out of the shop on the 3rd sign that I was cutting. First thought that went trough my mind just lost $300.00. Then I stopped and ask myself what would the professionals like Joe and BoB Eustus do. Well they would just clean the broken letter off with the cnc since the sign is still in position move over and cut that letter again and use epoxy to glue it in place.

So I cleaned the broken letter off, made another letter, pocketed it put some epoxy in the pocket and went and got a cup of coke a cola while the epoxy set up.

[Bob Eustace]

Eugene, thanks for elevating us to Joe Crumly status BUT nothing could be further from the truth trust us! We are still on apprenticeship with Ken Zey our mentor! I cringe when I think about the daft questions we ask Ken when we started out. I was reticent to do 3D with fears of a cutter breaking and piecing our bodies! Ken suggested using foam to learn and even offered to send over a box of used cutters for us to play with. Our first sign was a total disaster as we had a ramp setting of 40" on a 24" sign. It put a diagonal line right through the almost finished sign. This did take him a while to "diagnose". He went on and did a tutorial on texturing for us hence why we tried to pay back the forum when you needed similar help. Brady has also helped up beyond the call of duty as he is a very busy person. We would NEVER have worked out one 3D problem we hit him with and his solution was just eloquent.

Bob and Chrissy (Nikki is one of our Border Collies Eugene!)

[genek]

[QUOTE=Bob Eustace;155495]Eugene, thanks for elevating us to Joe Crumly status BUT nothing could be further from the truth trust us! We are still on apprenticeship with Ken Zey our mentor! I cringe when I think about the daft questions we ask Ken when we started out. I was reticent to do 3D with fears of a cutter breaking and piecing our bodies! Ken suggested using foam to learn and even offered to send over a box of used cutters for us to play with. Our first sign was a total disaster as we had a ramp setting of 40" on a 24" sign. It put a diagonal line right through the almost finished sign. This did take him a while to "diagnose". He went on and did a tutorial on texturing for us hence why we tried to pay back the forum when you needed similar help. Brady has also helped up beyond the call of duty as he is a very busy person. We would NEVER have worked out one 3D problem we hit him with and his solution was just eloquent.

Bob and Chrissy (Nikki is one of our Border Collies Eugene!)[/QUOT

SORRY ABOUT THE MISTAKE OF NIKKI..Tell your wife I am very sorry. The e-mail came in as Nikki so I made a ass of my self by assuming that was your wife's name. I am as nervous as a cat on a hot tin roof on my signs. but I am doing ok,.