Metallized polyester film on acrylic.

[Pixels Are Bad Mmmkay?]

I'm going to look at some interior dimensional letters. There is a black acrylic strip below the main letters that is, from what I could gather from the description, just brushed metallized polyester cut vinyl letters applied to the acrylic. They need one word changed but this would require all the letters to be removed and replaced or for the entire panel and lettering to be replaced. I'm leaning toward making a new panel because I'm afraid if I try to remove the lettering I will just damage the acrylic anyway. Especially because it's metallized film. Unless they applied the metallized film over regular black vinyl. I will be able to assess that when I see it.

Any thoughts on this? What would you guys expect to have to do in this situation? Replace, or risk damaging the black acrylic by removing the letters?

On another note, what is the best way to remove dimensional letters from interior walls? Should I run some fishing line behind it and work it back and forth to cut away the silicone, VHB, or whatever they applied it with? Hopefully they didn't use construction adhesive or something worse to remove.

I greatly appreciate any help and advice. Thanks.

 

[Pixels Are Bad Mmmkay?]

Here is a photo they sent me of the black acrylic piece that needs changed/replaced. Hopefully this explains what I'm talking about a little better.

 

[Marlene]

if you are just removing the copy from the acrylic, it shouldn't be a big deal as long as you don't poke at it too much so that you scratch the black. it also might be laminated brushed with black vinyl which would be really easy.

the wall letters could be held on with tape, silicone or studs or all of the above. the fish line would work for the tape if it I the kind with the foam sandwiched between the adhesive layers.

 

[Moze]

I think your biggest issue would be trying to match the new vinyl lettering to the existing vinyl lettering. Unless you know exactly which vinyl they used, the chances of it matching are slim. Different brands, different sheen, etc.

I would provide a replacement panel with all new lettering. The dimensional letters appear to be foam with brushed laminate. As mentioned, installed with studs, tape, silicone, or all of the above. I would guess studs and silicone.

 

[Pixels Are Bad Mmmkay?]

Well, when I went to go take a look at it, I noticed it had a identical black vinyl decal placed on the wall underneath the acrylic and the acrylic is raised off of the wall about 1/16" so I'm guessing they used VHB tape and applied vinyl underneath it so there would be a fair chance of clean removal. I would be replacing all the lettering so matching the existing vinyl won't be an issue. Would full panel replacement still be the best option in this case? Replacement was my first choice, however the thing seems to be stuck REALLY solid. I tried grabbing it and seeing if there was any give at all and there was none whatsoever. What's a typical approach to removal of these things if one is unsure of the attachment method?

Thanks for the responses so far. Like I always say when it comes to these types of signs and installs...'Moze Knows'.

 

[Moze]

Well, when I went to go take a look at it, I noticed it had a identical black vinyl decal placed on the wall underneath the acrylic and the acrylic is raised off of the wall about 1/16" so I'm guessing they used VHB tape and applied vinyl underneath it so there would be a fair chance of clean removal. I would be replacing all the lettering so matching the existing vinyl won't be an issue. Would full panel replacement still be the best option in this case? Replacement was my first choice, however the thing seems to be stuck REALLY solid. I tried grabbing it and seeing if there was any give at all and there was none whatsoever. What's a typical approach to removal of these things if one is unsure of the attachment method?

Thanks for the responses so far. Like I always say when it comes to these types of signs and installs...'Moze Knows'.

After re-reading this, I think my first option would be to make a new panel the same shape as the old one but slightly over-sized. Apply your new lettering to the new panel, remove the old lettering from the old panel, install the new panel onto the old panel with VHB tape.

 

[Pixels Are Bad Mmmkay?]

That's exactly what I got to thinking earlier this afternoon. I got the dimensions and they are exactly 53" x 3.5" so I was gonna make one the same size, but you think a little over would be safer so maybe I'll just make it an 1/8" larger overall. Thanks again for the sound advice, sir. I owe you one.

 

[Moze]

That's exactly what I got to thinking earlier this afternoon. I got the dimensions and they are exactly 53" x 3.5" so I was gonna make one the same size, but you think a little over would be safer so maybe I'll just make it an 1/8" larger overall. Thanks again for the sound advice, sir. I owe you one.

You don't owe me a thing...I'm happy to help out.

If it were me, I would go a little larger when you oversize it so you don't see the old panel behind it as much when you're viewing it from the ends....maybe ½" or so? Maybe a 54" x 4½" overlay panel.