i am doing a lobby sign for customer . i am painting the cnc routed pvc lettering and will be gluing the letters to a clear acrylic 1/4 inch thick panel . the question i have is....how do i prep the cnc lettering for paint and what painting process and brand of paints should i use for the lettering? i need to pantone color match the paint. i was considering using 1 shot paint as they seem to have a color matching formula that you can request for their colors. but after reading many posts it seems that 1 shot may not be the brand to use for this application. i have never used an air brush or hvlp paint gun but that does seem to be the way to do this. can you tell me the best way to approach this? what brand of paint is best? thank you for your great advice, as always!
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lobby sign hints and help
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i dont know how anyone can use gemini. they are so expesive. i have already cnc cut out the letters.
visual800
Active Member
Sounds like you are already too deep in a project. Since these are interior go to lowes and buy some spray paint (no kidding) wipe the pvc off with alcohol and spray with light coats of paint. Done. If they want a pms color I suggest you tell them you can get very close.
the next time you get in a bind. Ask for help before you strart project.
the next time you get in a bind. Ask for help before you strart project.
CanuckSigns
Active Member
Gemini is not expensive, we have 2 laser cutters and we still send out acrylic letters and logos to be made by Gemini quite often, for what they charge, I can't buy the raw materials for...
fixtureman
New Member
I use automotive glaze on the edges and then paint them
Thanks guys. Maybe it's just me but every time I have ever called Gemini I am surprised at "my cost" and find it difficult to double that price to my customer. So this time I didn't even bother. Now that I look at what I paid the cnc place, I wonder though.... I paid $195.00 for all the lettering and logo and a 3'x2' piece of clear 1/4 inch acrylic...... I am guessing that Gemini would probably be about the same...
Well now that I am into this...
I have seen demo's on matthews paints and other websites where they spray the lettering. I really want to make sure that the letters are nice and smooth. Rollers just don't seem to leave a smooth surface. Latex looks nasty. So Enamel seems to be the best paint. But what paint? What prep for PVC? The spray can approach would work but I really do want to PMS match and do the best I can on this first "lobby sign" so I can use it for my portfolio. I was thinking about buying an airbrush set up and just mixing the colors needed. I am pretty good at color matching (from my days in the printing industry), but would like to make sure that I use the right materials, prep and paint the PVC letters with the correct paint.
I can't find anything on the interweb... nothing on these forums....and have no person to ask. Almost seems like nobody does lobby signs or lettering!!
...If you have any pointers or even detailed advice I am all ears
Thank you
"The only way to learn anything alone,... is to get in over your ears...."
Well now that I am into this...
I have seen demo's on matthews paints and other websites where they spray the lettering. I really want to make sure that the letters are nice and smooth. Rollers just don't seem to leave a smooth surface. Latex looks nasty. So Enamel seems to be the best paint. But what paint? What prep for PVC? The spray can approach would work but I really do want to PMS match and do the best I can on this first "lobby sign" so I can use it for my portfolio. I was thinking about buying an airbrush set up and just mixing the colors needed. I am pretty good at color matching (from my days in the printing industry), but would like to make sure that I use the right materials, prep and paint the PVC letters with the correct paint.
I can't find anything on the interweb... nothing on these forums....and have no person to ask. Almost seems like nobody does lobby signs or lettering!!
...If you have any pointers or even detailed advice I am all ears Thank you
"The only way to learn anything alone,... is to get in over your ears...."
Chriswagner92
New Member
paint the edges with a foam brush first, then spray away.
J Hill Designs
New Member
1-shot isnt the worst idea - since its interior, UV degradation wont be too bad
Rick
Certified Enneadecagon Designer
This was my first thought. I would have used acrylic. Would be nice to see the design.
Gemini uses Matthews paints. Just an FYI.
You may need to use a high-build primer and then sand down to get smooth edges. Another option is to use doming resin after its painted. I saw some really awesome domed letters at a trade show, and I've always want to try it out.
Good luck, let us know how it worked out.
Marlene
New Member
Thanks guys. Maybe it's just me but every time I have ever called Gemini I am surprised at "my cost" and find it difficult to double that price to my customer. So this time I didn't even bother. Now that I look at what I paid the cnc place, I wonder though.... I paid $195.00 for all the lettering and logo and a 3'x2' piece of clear 1/4 inch acrylic...... I am guessing that Gemini would probably be about the same...
Well now that I am into this...
I have seen demo's on matthews paints and other websites where they spray the lettering. I really want to make sure that the letters are nice and smooth. Rollers just don't seem to leave a smooth surface. Latex looks nasty. So Enamel seems to be the best paint. But what paint? What prep for PVC? The spray can approach would work but I really do want to PMS match and do the best I can on this first "lobby sign" so I can use it for my portfolio. I was thinking about buying an airbrush set up and just mixing the colors needed. I am pretty good at color matching (from my days in the printing industry), but would like to make sure that I use the right materials, prep and paint the PVC letters with the correct paint.
I can't find anything on the interweb... nothing on these forums....and have no person to ask. Almost seems like nobody does lobby signs or lettering!!
Thank you
"The only way to learn anything alone,... is to get in over your ears...."
how on earth did you get this job and bid it without knowing how you were going to paint them? I always wonder as wen we bid a job, we know star to finish how to do it and what is involved. with that said, since this is a lobby sign, it would need to be painted without a lot of dust, dirt, bubbles, fly tracks and other issues.
SignManiac
New Member
SignManiac say you get expensive education and you live long life..
Sand your PVC and then spray light coats. I process a ton of PVC letters and do quite a few lobby/reception office signs using PVC. The final finish is a direct result of the prep work you put into the sanding and priming if necessary. We shoot Matthew's in house and in a paint booth to get a decent finish.
Here are a few examples, all pvc material. The last one is aluminum over pvc.
Sand your PVC and then spray light coats. I process a ton of PVC letters and do quite a few lobby/reception office signs using PVC. The final finish is a direct result of the prep work you put into the sanding and priming if necessary. We shoot Matthew's in house and in a paint booth to get a decent finish.
Here are a few examples, all pvc material. The last one is aluminum over pvc.
Attachments
Rick
Certified Enneadecagon Designer
Nice Examples...
To the OP... for your next lobby sign idea... take a look here.
http://artsigns.com
synergy_jim
New Member
2 things.
1) If you think Gemini is expensive, you woefully under priced your job and need to examine your pricing structure
2) Coming here and asking " How? " after its already priced also screams " I'm trying to lose $$$ over here "
1) If you think Gemini is expensive, you woefully under priced your job and need to examine your pricing structure
2) Coming here and asking " How? " after its already priced also screams " I'm trying to lose $$$ over here "