material for Baja desert

[bobmoore]

I have to quote a sign for a customer in the Mexican desert on the Baja peninsula. It is going to be about 4 feet x 3 feet and in full sun all day. What is the best material for that harsh environment? I need a flat background that will have borders letters and artwork applied. Thanks Bob

[gc3]

I have to quote a sign for a customer in the Mexican desert on the Baja peninsula. It is going to be about 4 feet x 3 feet and in full sun all day. What is the best material for that harsh environment? I need a flat background that will have borders letters and artwork applied. Thanks Bob

Where in Baja as climate varies greatly...I am located in Los Cabos and use Sapele for signs with Imron paints. Northern Baja not near as harsh a climate as where we are located

[bobmoore]

That's your neighborhood Gene? I am sure they said Cabo San lucas but maybe they were giving me a general location. It seems like a long drive from northern Wisconsin. The preliminary plan is to make the sign with the weathered iron from sculpt Nuveau so I was looking more for a synthetic base material rather than wood. Do you have any experience with hdu or mdo down there? Thanks Bob

[gc3]

Los Cabos...includes San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas

Those materials not available here, lots of sign shops use pvc. What ever you make just be sure it's hurricane proof as possible...

[Brady Watson]

Seems like a ripe opportunity for collaboration or handing the job off to the resident expert...I would have no problem commissioning Gene to do just about anything, if he was interested in the job. It is clear he has his finger on what's hot & he has demonstrated clearly, that he is 'on the level'.

I've done this several times in the past with other owner/operators - where the cost of travel or shipping either made it unprofitable or broke the budget. You take a percentage & hand it off to someone who knows the customs and materials of the land. It's win-win 95% of the time. This is assuming that you are in business to actually make money. :p

-B

[bobmoore]

Thanks again Gene. I am in the early stages of this so I still need to find out exactly where they are,( it is a long peninsula). Will post more details as I get them.
Brady' Thanks for the input. Not sure about your make money comment. What else would I be in business for?:confused:
Bob

[gc3]

1100 miles +- from San Diego...2 lane road and one of the most interesting drives you will ever make to Los Cabos...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican_Federal_Highway_1

http://www.roughguides.com/destinations/north-america/mexico/baja-california/transpeninsular-highway-hwy-1/

http://www.roughguides.com/destinations/north-america/mexico/baja-california/transpeninsular-highway-hwy-1/

[Brady Watson]

What else would I be in business for?:confused:


It was redundant. You'd be surprised how many have never answered that question for themselves. Rather than take the path of least resistance, they will literally go 'around the world' to avoid sharing the work when it makes sense. I didn't mean you specifically :)

Gene - No thanks. I'll fly in. Are the myths of bandits along that road true? :cool:

-B

[dakers]

Bob, we have routed in 1/4'' aluminum and painted with auto paint with clear coat.
seems like that would hold up and you could put a flat plate on top to help with sun.

here is one we did but have done others.

[dakers]

here is another carved 1/4'' aluminum sign.
all letters are carved in

[bobmoore]

Gene your area looks great. I would love to be down there for a summer with my wrangler.

Brady, thanks for the clarification. I subcontract a good percentage of work already. Nothing would make me more proud than to have Gene Crain do work for me as I admire his work but this customer works up here and drives down for vacations. The area where they have their cabin is a worldwide melting pot of wealthy people. A very interesting area.

Dick those are nice signs. Do you vcarve with a flat depth or just mill with an endmill.
Thanks Bob

[dakers]

just flat bottom end mill. have not tired v carve on aluminum.
seems like it would work ok.
we used
dupont variprime self etching primer which really works well so far.
you can use about any enmel. the primer can be bought in spray cans too.
just have to clean the oil off really good.

[bobmoore]

Now that I think about a v bit point going through aluminum, may not work so well Dick. I sure wouldn't try it first on a paid sign.

[gc3]

Exactly where is client's home here...what development in the area? Again I will say I have done many signs here from Sapele, vertical grain lamination with West Systems epoxy and Imron paints...all survived the last hurricane Odile and most are full sun exposure for at least 6 hours per day in the summer...where temps reach 36c.

[gc3]

was this job finished and sent south?

[bobmoore]

They haven't made up their minds yet which one they will go with Gene. They are in Los Barritos on the sea of Cortez. Sounds like a nice area. Bob

[gc3]

Los Barilles...town about 1.5 hrs north of Los Cabos