how would you do this?

[SIGNTIME]

We have a sign to do 20'x8' mounted to a flat wooden wall outside... we will be using 5 ACM panels butted up vertically. Would you, A- mount full cover prints and wrap the edges so the black core of the ACM is not visible at the seems or, B- paint the edges of all the panels with a paint for plastic then mount the graphics to the panels after they are fixed to the wall. We are nervous of method A ... getting the vinyl and panels mounted and lining up perfect ( we have done this before on a 30'x16' sign made up of 12 panels and had some alignment issues but it was ok as the sign was 60' in the air on a building and not visible, this however will be eye level and people will be walking 2 feet away from it), Also a lot of extra material. Method B makes us nervous not knowing the longevity of the plastic paint (we were thinking krylon spray paint for plastic). Please advise which way makes the most sense.

 

[fresh]

We most likely wouldn't worry about the edges and I'd be inclined to use cut vinyl. You would need a 48" roll for the red and star, and a 30" roll would work for the blue. I can get Avery HP Cal in 10 yd rolls for a total of about $100.

If you don't feel like buying the vinyl, you can print/ cut the correct colors.

 

[visual800]

I would mount panels and then install lettering. I wouldnt worry about the edges so much

 

[Z SIGNS]

We would mount some sort of framing/cleat on the wall to drop the panels on.
Apply cut vinyl to the panels in the shop then just drop the panels onto the cleat.

 

[signpro]

^ almost what he said...
I'd lay the panels out side by side in the shop and apply cut vinyl, then mount the panels on wall.
I wouldn't worry about seeing the edges once its up and mounted.
I guess if you have a really anal customer you could paint those edges, but it won't hardly be noticeable when mounted

 

[skyhigh]

I wouldn't use the panels at all. I would put some dimensional letters on the wall.

 

[SIGNTIME]

the reason we are worried about the seems is the wall is painted plywood that is sort of wavy so where they meet they may or may not be flush... we are not going to make a frame or anything like that if anything just shim where needed. i guess my question should be will krylon spray paint for plastic hold up on the edges of ACM for this application or what paint will?

 

[skyhigh]

We are nervous of method A ... getting the vinyl and panels mounted and lining up perfect ( we have done this before on a 30'x16' sign made up of 12 panels and had some alignment issues but it was ok as the sign was 60' in the air on a building and not visible, this however will be eye level and people will be walking 2 feet away from it)

Get all the panels aligned up in the shop, using flat aluminum stock and 1.5" angle to weld (adhesive) the panels together. A 20x8 would fit nicely on my trailer......and 5 ACM panels only weigh 130 lbs. Throw in the flat stock & alum angle, and you got 165 lbs for a "eye level" install with no visible hardware.

No extra charge for the black outline, giving it some depth.

 

[skyhigh]

the reason we are worried about the seems is the wall is painted plywood that is sort of wavy so where they meet they may or may not be flush... we are not going to make a frame or anything like that if anything just shim where needed. i guess my question should be will krylon spray paint for plastic hold up on the edges of ACM for this application or what paint will?

Are you worried about the seams (and the black showing), should you not get the panels aligned perfectly....... or the outside edge?

edit.....
Ok so I read your post again. We have wavy plywood..... you don't want to "frame"........you will shim where needed, and as an added precaution, you will spray the seams with krylon????

More dickin around, trying to use substandard material (to save a buck?), will end up costing you more in the end, my friend.

A couple tubes of adhesive and some aluminum angle ($130 total). will save you hours of time on site. The end product will look great also. Your way......ehhhhh, I have my doubts.

 

[SIGNTIME]

I agree that making a frame would be best, however even when I butt two pieces of ACM together on a flat table there is a black seem which is what I'm trying to avoid. Is there a paint that will adhere to the edge of ACM.

 

[Signed Out]

Signtime and I are business partners.

Dimensional is not an option.

The concern is the looks of the but joints of the ACM. No cleating can be used. We are removing an existing sign that was sintra and warped a bit and that is why they want to use ACM. The panels are to be screwed into an existing outdoor plywood wall.

We are questioning whether or not painting the edges of the ACM is a viable option. Having never done that before we wanted to see if anybody else had and how it held up, and what type of paint to use. We quoted the job as sheeting the entire ACM panels and wrapping the edges of the ACM to conceal the black core. We will also be running strips of vinyl on the wall behind the but joints to hide the red color of the wall.

Ultimately we want the sign to look as good as possible within their parameters and budget. If there is a viable option to paint the edges of the ACM where they will butt up, that will look good and last as long as the printed vinyl, then we want to go that route and save some material. If there is any question on the durability of painting the edges then we will just sheet the ACM and wrap the edges.

Thanks for all your replies.

 

[J Hill Designs]

use any gloss white enamel

edit: or satin, if you are using the satin side of the ACM

 

[Z SIGNS]

What's the problem with doing it the right way ?

Trying to cut corners and engineer some cockamamie install does not make sense.

Cheaper costs more and everybody loses.

 

[Tony McD]

Maybe 2" wide strips of 040 aluminum behind the seams with double sided tape to keep them flush with each other.

Or a 1/2" strip of white vinyl after install to hide the seams. Wouldn't be very noticable if the whites matched.

 

[Signed Out]

What's the problem with doing it the right way ?

Trying to cut corners and engineer some cockamamie install does not make sense.

Cheaper costs more and everybody loses.

What are you talking about?

The job is specd to be ACM panels screwed to an existing plywood barricade wall. We are asking others for advice on how they would go about doing that so that it looks its best. We don't want the black core of the ACM to show at the butt joints.

So please do tell what is the right way.

 

[Signed Out]

Maybe 2" wide strips of 040 aluminum behind the seams with double sided tape to keep them flush with each other.

Or a 1/2" strip of white vinyl after install to hide the seams. Wouldn't be very noticable if the whites matched.

Thank you, the first suggestion seems like a viable option. We are going to try a few different ways with some scrap pieces to find what works best. If we can avoid having to sheet and edge wrap the entire panels without sacrificing the finished product, then we will.

 

[J Hill Designs]

I would think translucent white vinyl strips to cover the seams would be the best approach (trans. to match the sheen)

 

[player]

Nobody makes the panels with a white center?

 

[CanuckSigns]

Nobody makes the panels with a white center?

Yes they do
http://www.multipaneluk.com/products/sign-materials/alufoam/

would this work?

 

[J Hill Designs]

Yes they do
http://www.multipaneluk.com/products/sign-materials/alufoam/

would this work?

it doesnt seem to be an exterior product, but I find no information for or against exterior applications.

 

[skyhigh]

So please do tell what is the right way.

This

Get all the panels aligned up in the shop, using flat aluminum stock and 1.5" angle to weld (adhesive) the panels together.

(Replace the ACM with .080 white sheets).

To be honest, I didn't know the ACM sheets would not butt tight. What if you were to run the edge down your table saw at a 5 degree angle?

Actually, either of your first 2 options may work. I'd be tempted to try the krylon myself. If you were to "wrap" the edge, the only way it wouldn't stick out, is if you did a full cover on the sheets.

Just how tight did you bid this job, that you can't add some alum angle, and are stuck using ACM?