Reflective Sign/Billboard how to

[Stacey K]

I posted about a sign/billboard a while back. He wants to do a 100% reflective sign/billboard that's on the road. The size is 12' long by about 85" tall. It's there already with a plywood backing. It just needs the sign boards.
The red part is going to be a separate sign that changes with the seasons.

Do they make 12' sign boards? should I use for the top, 3 vertical 48"x96" (cut to vertical size)? 3mm or 6mm acm? Then print panels on reflective to put on them at my shop then he just installs?

 

[Jason Thomas]

I would think that three vertical panels, 48x85 would be easier to install than 12' long panels. Print on reflective, laminate, mount to Alumalite. Alumalite is more costly, but more rigid and lighter weight than ACM. Then make the red one as a separate strip.

 

[Stacey K]

I would think that three vertical panels, 48x85 would be easier to install than 12' long panels. Print on reflective, laminate, mount to Alumalite. Alumalite is more costly, but more rigid and lighter weight than ACM. Then make the red one as a separate strip.

Perfect! Would I do 3 or 6mm Alumalite?

 

[Jason Thomas]

I think 1/4" (6mm) is more common. I believe you can get 12' panels if you did want to seam it horizontally. I only said vertical because I am usually the only one installing and I don't trust myself to hold my grip on a 12' sheet on a ladder in the wind!

 

[JBurton]

Don't they sell reflective on acm already? If so, I'd print on clear, mount that to reflective acm, save the gut punch that is the wasted reflective if you have issues or are running the latex... poking around my main distributors, I didn't see reflective acm, I guess I'm misremembering?
I'd panel it vertically though, as much as I'd rather do the colors as their own panels, it makes install harder unless it's right on the ground.

 

[Texas_Signmaker]

GSG sells 12' wide ACM

 

[JBurton]

GSG sells 12' wide ACM

I don't see any on their website... Have you tried the new USA made acm panels they're selling? That stuff can be bent in half and won't tear, scoring it only puts a bend in the panel. I delaminated the face off of one to compare to whatever cheap stuff I had, same thickness, but it was as rigid as cardstock and the cheap stuff was as stiff as foil.

 

[Texas_Signmaker]

I don't see any on their website... Have you tried the new USA made acm panels they're selling? That stuff can be bent in half and won't tear, scoring it only puts a bend in the panel. I delaminated the face off of one to compare to whatever cheap stuff I had, same thickness, but it was as rigid as cardstock and the cheap stuff was as stiff as foil.

That's how I cut them... score with a blade and snap. Sounds like that won't work on the American stuff.

 

[jcskikus]

I wouldn't print any of it. Out in the sun all day, even the white reflective is going to begin to fade in a matter of months. I've been seeing this on the cop cars I've been doing this past year, and I'm using 3M. Use 680CR blue or light blue and red or ruby red with the white and black reflective. With the color deep into the vinyl, the upper half that's left out year-round will last longer. I'd secure the lower red symmetrically with fasteners and use both sides spinning it out each season.
Color 680CR is cheaper and you no lamination. Better to pay $4±/sq ft that closer to $6/sq ft, and have to take the time to print and laminate.