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The absolute worst are Indian and Greek race car drivers from the 90s. o_O ................... Seriously, the culture of price haggling is so alien to us westerners. And it's intimidating. Most of us are not good at it and we don't like it. Here are some interesting thoughts from author Tim...

Dissimilar surfaces usually call for a soft adhesive, like silicone, rather than one that dries hard. This allows for movement. Many paints for exterior walls contain additives that repel dirt and moisture, allowing the film stay cleaner and last longer. The same chemicals that prevent dirt...

Acquiring General Electric's plastic division was a shrewd move by Sabic. It means Saudi Arabia now has the plastics production capability to go with the raw material that they already had—petroleum.

I like using spring clips, though I've never tried having them sewn in. I just hooked them through the grommets and onto the support cable. A cable will definitely eliminate sagging between utility poles. Even when a cable is not really needed, it can sometimes make re-installs at the same...

I've never known of any effective procedure for eliminating the yellowing that comes with polycarbonate as it ages. The UV layer that is applied to the face of exterior grade polycarbonate eventually degrades. Sometimes you can minimize the yellow look by reversing out first-surface vinyl, but...

There are several grades of Dibond brand ACM. One has an anodized aluminum finish that would presumably hold up better outdoors. I don't know any shops in our area that actually use Dibond. The low pricing of the competing brands is too attractive. An automotive polyurethane clear would, again...

Thanks Johnny and BlueMoon. Very nice. I won't post my rendering. Mine is uh,...not as good. Let's just leave it at that.

Sometimes I like to make a rendering of reverse channel letters that shows not only the daytime view but also the view at night of the halo effect characteristic of reverse channel letters. I have a crude way of doing this in Signlab 9.1 using a series of transparent outlines, but I would like a...

Temperature can easily interfere with paint catalyzation. If the paint booth is too cold when the painting is done or the vehicle is painted and then rolled outside where it is too cold, catalyzing slows dramatically. You could very easily have a situation where a mask tries to bond to a finish...

Are you wanting to pinch the cladding (corrugated siding) with the vertical posts, rather than reach through the cladding with bolts to horizontal structural steel members on the inside of the building? That seems like a lot of weight to hang on sheet metal, but I don't consider myself an overly...

Good point. You would certainly have a cleaner look from the inside if you did it this way. All you would see is the back of the strut. But if, on the other hand, you through-bolt the strut, the hardware is visible from inside the building. Using the nuts that fit the strut means tightening must...

I agree. Angle iron would work fine. I have even used 2x6 lumber. Unistruts have holes already, theoretically making the job easier. I think you can get them with slotted holes, too, which may be even better. And a 12 or 14-foot Unistrut installed vertically may span more than just two...

The unistruts go on the inside of the building walls to provide something to attach the through bolts to. This spreads the load for the attachment points. That's my guess. Skimpy instructions, if you ask me. :(

Many body shops install vinyl and are familiar with how much wait time is needed. We usually ask their recommendation. When we do the painting, with Matthews Acrylic Polyurethane, the wait time varies. When the weather is hot and we use fast reducer plus Accelerator in the paint, vinyl can...

I agree with kgirl and johnnyinfamous that the joints need to be inconspicuously placed, not necessarily on top always. I admit it's been ten years since I've done any serious trim-capping. And for those who are new at trim-capping, if you use the hammer and nail method, expect sore fingers at...

You've picked a beautiful place to live. I went to my nephew's wedding in the middle of Silver Falls state park a few months ago. I would love to never shovel snow again.

I was taught to always put the seams out of sight—on top. I believe that many trim-capped faces fall apart early from poor gluing. I have always glued the trim in two steps. First with water-thin Weldon in a syringe to hold the acrylic in place. Then a substantial bead of Weldon No. 16 when the...

I would like to see a series of photos showing tbullos method. Or even a video. It's a little hard to visualize from just a description. But when you actually see it done you realize how slick it is. You don't spend any less time, necessarily, because you still have to place the letters in...

This plastic may be polycarbonate that is manufactured by Palram whose world headquarters is in Israel. Palram has offices, warehouses and manufacturing facilities all over the world. There has been a polycarbonate plant operated by Palram in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, since 2000. The sheet you are...

These were made by Hockema Signs in Hockema, Indiana in the 70s. He called them Adjust-a-stool. I bought two at 35 dollars each. When I tried a couple years later to get another one he said he sold them all and wasn't going to make any more, but he sold me the hardware to make another one. He...