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Jewelite Seam
- Thread starter sign girl
- Start date
signbrad
New Member
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 thin stuff dries.
Brad in Kansas City
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 thin stuff dries.
Brad in Kansas City
JohnnyInfamous
New Member
We always locate the seam where it is least noticeable. Realistically, the expanding ice wouldn't affect the letter at the Jewelite seam any more rapidly than it would affect the letter in other places. Therefore concealing the seam in a discrete spot makes more sense than locating it for weather durability reasons.
But you asked for us to weigh in on the theoretical argument of ice expansion in a seam, so the real question is where the liquid water will stand long enough to freeze. Surface tension is the key here. A seam on the side will allow the water to be pulled along the surface of the letter via gravity. A seam at the top or bottom will actually give the water a better nook to stagnate and freeze.
Think about the Jurassic Park scene where Malcolm sets a drop of water on Sattler's hand. She thinks the water will slide off but the roughness of the hair and skin gives the water something to grab onto. The seam is what would grab the water in this scenario and if gravity can't pull the water down, the water will naturally congregate in the seam, where the material is least smooth. Alternatively, if the seam is on the side, gravity can pull the water across the seam just like if you put the drop of water on the side of your hand.
But you asked for us to weigh in on the theoretical argument of ice expansion in a seam, so the real question is where the liquid water will stand long enough to freeze. Surface tension is the key here. A seam on the side will allow the water to be pulled along the surface of the letter via gravity. A seam at the top or bottom will actually give the water a better nook to stagnate and freeze.
Think about the Jurassic Park scene where Malcolm sets a drop of water on Sattler's hand. She thinks the water will slide off but the roughness of the hair and skin gives the water something to grab onto. The seam is what would grab the water in this scenario and if gravity can't pull the water down, the water will naturally congregate in the seam, where the material is least smooth. Alternatively, if the seam is on the side, gravity can pull the water across the seam just like if you put the drop of water on the side of your hand.
kgirl
New Member
You put the Plasco Channel Letter Trim Cap seam at the top of a letter....and at the bottom for the inside of an "O"......
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signbrad
New Member
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 the end of a day of trim-capping. That is the purpose, I am sure, of the bottle of ale in kgirl's photo. It's for soothing sore fingers. But it must be ice cold.
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 the end of a day of trim-capping. That is the purpose, I am sure, of the bottle of ale in kgirl's photo. It's for soothing sore fingers. But it must be ice cold.
anthonyvanvolkinburg
New Member
put it wherever you want. If it's good enough no one will ever notice anyways
Johnny Best
Active Member
I agree with kgirl because she's pretty.
MikePro
New Member
+1 kgirl
+1 johnnybest (giggidy giggidy)
we put seams at top of letters and bottom of centers. least visible spot the better, assuming you're looking-up at it when installed.
overthinking it if you're assumng water freezing in seam & busting it apart. glue it right, with a bridge over the inside of the seam, and you should have no issue until the trim cap physically breaks-down a decade-plus from now.
+1 johnnybest (giggidy giggidy)
we put seams at top of letters and bottom of centers. least visible spot the better, assuming you're looking-up at it when installed.
overthinking it if you're assumng water freezing in seam & busting it apart. glue it right, with a bridge over the inside of the seam, and you should have no issue until the trim cap physically breaks-down a decade-plus from now.