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Yes. 100% silicone as mentioned. It remains soft, allowing the stud to float in a slightly oversized hole. This allows a little movement of the letters without releasing the grip on the studs. 16-inch studs? That's a long stud. I would think 6-inch would be sufficient, but then I don't get paid...

Why do you think this method will not hold the weight? Concealed stud mounting is the commonest way to install letters, even heavy cast bronze. A 16-inch tall reverse channel is not overly heavy that a 1/4-inch aluminum stud buried in silicone cannot hold it. Obviously, a reverse channel letter...

It is true that to change the colors of a protected design and display it that way without permission of the trademark owner is infringement. Changing the spelling or letterstyle without permission and displaying it would be an infringement as well. Interestingly, most trademark registrations...

Mastering Layout by Mike Stevens is the only book in print of its kind. It should be required reading for sign designers, a group that must understand the unique needs of sign-specific design. Sign salespeople need to read it as well, as It will allow them to speak intelligently with clients...

Thin gauge aluminum, such as .040", will tend to look wavy. Heavier aluminum would work. Or, the inexpensive brands of aluminum composite material with the solid core might be a good choice. Polymetal, Maxmetal, Bebond, etc., are all rated, I believe, as five-year materials. The more expensive...

This principle is no doubt true in the history of every manufacturing process known. Technology replaces hand skills in almost every occupation. What farmer does not use a seed drill? Only gardeners plant corn by hand. At one time, blacksmiths were as common as dirt. Every town had one. No...

Me too. Once, a salesman who did not ask enough questions gave me a job to create a layout for a shoe store. All he said was the customer wanted something "sexy." What is sexier than high heels, right? The salesman agreed. My design, which I thought was quite compelling, was instantly rejected...

A client is restoring an outdoor fitness course and wants to replicate original signs that are Vita Course branded. The original signs are stainless panels, many completely faded. I could draw them, but some I can't even see. Any thoughts? Brad

I agree up to a point. After I find out what a client is looking for, I like being left alone to come up with a layout. I will often do an A and B version, especially if I can give them something better than what they had in mind. Depending on the budget, I will sometimes do a good, better...

Graco is the most popular brand of airless sprayer among commercial painters. The early hand-held units had problems but I have heard that the newer ones are greatly improved. But I have not used them. The spray tip on the Graco cordless model in the picture looks like the exact same tip used...

Good observation. The square serifs do look a little too clean to have been produced by a beginner's brush.

We have also tried welding clear cutout letters on top of colored acrylic. We get the same bubbles. We never found a solution to the problem.

Actually, there is only one brand of X-acto knife. It's X-acto. Any similarly designed blades and precision knives are not X-acto. There are a number of trademark registrations for X-acto, both for the name and for the design of the name. The trademark owner is Sanford LP. Sometimes a brand...

Thank you!

These letters were hand drawn and then painted. This is the way most lettering was done before computers, though this job does look amateurish and was probably produced by a beginner. Drawing letters by hand, and from memory, was a skill that every apprentice letterer learned. A roman letter...

I agree. Anything can be made to work. Back in the day the only practical option was 1/2-inch MDO. Not anymore. However, 5-10 years durability may be a problem. That would not be a normal life for even a heavy banner material. And Polymetal carries only a 5-year (limited) warranty. Even Matthews...

Bradley, What does TDLR stand for?

This seems to be the nature of forums like this one. Sometimes statements are made here that are based on misinformation. Some present views based on second-hand information rather than actual fact. You will notice that it is common for posters to make statements without any authoritative...

I think rjs raises two valid points. First, part of the life of this wood is gone forever. The wood can never be like new again. With metal, you can sandblast the surface, re-etch and refinish, and expect a life for the finish that is as good or better than the original finish and should last...