BAR SIGN

[Martin Pearson]

Nick you could use something like 12mm ply but it would need to be an exterior grade plywood or marine ply. You would need to make sure it was well sealed with a decent primer and undercoat, especially the edges. I normally use a roller to paint ply if I use it as I think you get a better finish for the vinyl but it goes on quite thinly so you will need a few coats. It may be cheaper to buy some paint and a sheet of ply but the time it will take to prepare doesn’t really make it a suitable option and it will be heavy at the size you need. You would be far better using something like Di-bond which is ideal for this sort of thing, is maintenance free so won’t need re-doing in a couple of years and is very light. The guy may want cheap but you have no control over the cost of materials and if the customer wants the job done properly that would be my choice of materials. It may even work out cheaper as it wont have to be done again in a couple of years time.

[Gert du Preez]

Hi, Nick

I presume our climate is a lot like yours – hot, lots of sunshine, but with mist and dew overnight (coastal town).
Marine Ply works fine. As for preperation, I paint the edges with a brush and wood primer, then roller the primer on the flat surface. Leave to dry overnight, sand down with 200 grid sandpaper, the SPRAY the second coat of primer. Leave 1 day again, then spraypaint 2 – 3 coats with QD or ordinary enamel paint. (Leave 2 hours or so between coats) This gives a nice glossy surface, and the sign normally outlives the business!

PS. Make sure the paint is cured properly before applying the vinyl. Enamel may remain soft for quite a few days, and the vinyl can pull "creases" in the paint.

[Karen O Hagan]

Hi Nick
We are in based in Southern Spain and find that most material available from the DIY outlets are not of the same quality you find in the uk and an exterior plywood is just as expensive as a diebond without all the finishing involved.When I have been asked for traditional British Pub Signage I have made timber frames inlaid die bond panels either decorated in Vinyl or fret cut letters.If you need help with suppliers pm me

[nick cope]

quote karen o hagan:

Hi Nick
We are in based in Southern Spain and find that most material available from the DIY outlets are not of the same quality you find in the uk and an exterior plywood is just as expensive as a diebond without all the finishing involved.When I have been asked for traditional British Pub Signage I have made timber frames inlaid die bond panels either decorated in Vinyl or fret cut letters.If you need help with suppliers pm me

KAREN do you have a phone number thanks
nick

[nick cope]

once again thanks martin and everyone for your advice
i am going to use di bond , just need to get a supplier here in spain
GRACIAS

[Karen O Hagan]

What part of spain are you in nick

[nick cope]

hi karen iam in a small costal town
30km from the city of GIRONA catalunya 120km from barcelona

thanks

[Karen O Hagan]

In barcalona
centro de rotulos 93 394 1494 you need to ask for
panel sandwich de aluminio y polipropileno
I think they may have an english speaking girl who works in the buying dept if your stuck.How good is your spanish?.You will only get a 150cm wide sheet in Spain and as for delivery a 4mt sheet maybe out of the question.If the wall is in good condition you could put up some fret cut text sometimes this is more effective and far less in cost but a far better margin of proffit.I have a router if you need some letters cut.We also make stainless letters and have a wide formatt solvent printer 1.8mt wide.You have to be self sufficient in this part of spain as manana never comes and have a neon worker around the corner so if your stuck for help send me a email via the personal messaging on the site
Good luck

[nick cope]

thanks karen
and ill give them call tomorrow and maybe we can sort something out,
so thanks for all your help ,and ill keep in touch
thanks
nick

[nick cope]

quote nick cope:

thanks karen
and ill give them call tomorrow and maybe we can sort something out,
so thanks for all your help ,and ill keep in touch
thanks
nick

HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I SAID THANKS. gracias

[Jill Marie Welsh]

You definitely want to use something like DiBond. Plywood would be awful heavy to lift, and also the DiBond is all ready for lettering.
I’m assuming this behemoth will be fixed to the front of the bar?
Love….Jill