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Servicing a laser cut acrylic Sign
I was asked to service a sign the other day by a local company.
On arrival we found this to be a lightbox 20′ x 4′ just under a year old with a very intricate laser cut panels, there is only a couple of tubes out.
But on further investigation the panels have been made out of 3mm acrylic!!!
If I try to remove this it will all fall to pieces (Parts of it are already spliting) . Somone has cut corners and manufactured this from 3mm acrylic.
I have never came across a laser cut panel in anything other than 5-6mm acrylic.
Am I right in what I say above, surely you wouldn’t manufacture anything this size in 3mm.
I am thinking about walking away from this job as I don’t know why they haven’t got the original company to come and service it and it is still under a year old.Your comments please.
Sean
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4 Replies
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Sean,
rather than just walking away put all your findings into a survey report, (promotes your company as being professional) listing each incorrect point of manufature or fitting & why. Don’t offer a remedy/replacement unless you are asked otherwise most customers think you are just after taking their money. Worse ways recommend that he contacts the original company (don’t bad mouth the original company in your report just list the incorrect manufacture) I’m sure if they choose to replace the panels your honesty & professional approach will win you the job if you want it.You are right in that a sign that size made from 3mm is not the way to go especially the fact that it is got cut outs. The fact the original company isn’t doing the work is normally because they make every excuse possible until the customer goes elsewhere or they have good bust. They know the problems that are going to be found upon trying to remove the panels & that they will be responsible for the repair or replacement.
Just my thoughts
Kev
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I have just found out that the customer/original contractor fell out with the original Sign Company (our nearest competitor)!!!
I will not bad mouth another company as it just ends up tit for tat bickering.
The Lightbox was made for 5mm panels and has had bits jammed in to take up the gap.
The price for me to buy replacements would be over £800 Trade Price!!!!Two more things, I am 90% certain they cannot afford new ones and I am 50% certain I will not be able to remove these in one piece. Talk about a dilema!!!
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I don’t quite get it , surely the laser cut panels have something behind them , if not the whole face of the lightbox would have open sections?
If there is a supporting back structure like an opal , 3mm is not a problem in terms of structural rigitiy if applied to em.
It is most likely cut in sections anyway as you dont get pex in 20′ ft lengths and lasers that size are not common so its probably not a single 20×4 panel?.
Some colours of pex also only come in 3mm thicknesses so that might have been a reason it was used.
When you say its splitting , is it broken in parts or are there stress cracks?
If you do do this job , then be VERY careful of ANY solvent near laser cut pex , the stuff is incredibly stressed from lasering and solvents will immediately make the pex craze or stress crack in this case. This can happen YEARS down the line , not just riight after its cut.The worst jobs to do in our experience are those that involve fixing other folks mistakes – we have never made a decent amount on em and often never gain the customer cos they begrudge having to pay YOU to fix it. These jobs always involve having to go to the customer a few times and explain further problems that have cropped up and ppl resent that too.
Also difficult to quote on due to the unforseen. They are ALWAYS messy , as you have discovered.I think theres no dilemma , this job sounds like "T"rouble and I doubt you need that , so IMHO , you should walk away and decline to quote explaining your concerns.
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Imagine 2off 10’x4′ 3mm Acrylic panels with lines and text cut out and a different colour inlayed, and just Tensol acrylic glue to hold it together.
One of the lines run the length of the panel!!! There is a routed rebate joint between the 2 panels but this is only 1.5mm and that is splitting.I have checked that you can buy this colour in 5mm and you can.
There is no supporting panel behind.
I don’t believe this was someone elses mistake I believe it was done for cheapness.
When this sign went up it looked really smart.I have decided not to get involved in other peoples fall outs and am declining this job.
Sean
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