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covering galvanised roller shutter boxes
Has anyone ever completely covered one of these in vinyl? Is it adviseable?
Basically the new shopfront has had a roller shutter box that is a new galvanised box that detracts from the shopfront. They want to disguise it in some way so that it merges into the the rest of the shopfront instead of sticking out like a sore thumb. It’s a big bulky box.
I have suggested to my customer that we put a section of dibond/skybond over the front of it instead, that way it will match the sign above which is being made from coloured skybond.
Would that be a bad idea? Anyone ever disguise one of these before?Apparently painting one of these is not an option as paint will be short term option as it doesn’t take to the galvanised material well.
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11 Replies
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Not to sure on vinyl sticking to well to the galvanized metal. Paint would work with a zinc primer. Use a product called acid 8, you can get this in any carbody supply shop in a spray can, have used loads of this with great resutls.
ACID#8 – ETCH PRIMER M.I.R. COMPLIANT
FEATURES
Promotes paint adhesion to difficult substrates such as galvanized steel & aluminum
Available in fast, convenient aerosol and ready for use 1L tin for larger applications.
BENEFITSIdeal for rub throughs in primer prior to application of color.
Fast drying formulation that does not require sanding.
UPO 741< – ACID/AL, 450 ml, Gray
Rich -
Stuck quite a lot of graphics on them but never actually covered a whole box before. I have painted them in the past, like Rich says if you use the right primer them the paint will last as long as any other painted surface. Never tried Acid8 but if Rich says it is good then I would use that.
Floodcoating them and getting a good finish might be a bit awkward if they are fitted to the shop as well, would be easier on the bench. -
I think composite would be the easiest solution and would match the signs perfict, just make a small return top and bottom to suit the shutter box, so it can be fitted without the screws showing. or even simpler just a face plate of composite with colour coded screws/caps
Peter
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Peter that was exactly what my thoughts were, it’s the easiest option. Rich, thanks for that info on the paint/primer. If they choose the painting route then it will be the shopfitters doing that bit 😀 so I’ll pass on that helpful info re the acid 8.
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Painted one years ago using Hammerite (smooth) & it’s still as good as
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Have flood coated a few in the past in situe just used car paint shop panel wipe to clean it / degrease it first. Don’t forget the rivets also which are a a pain when flood coating.
I would use composite and self tapper polytops or polytop rivets.
Most have 100 & 1 rivets in them anyway and all seem to be hacked about to suit the shop front so anything else will look top notch.
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quote Marcella:so I’ll pass on that helpful info re the acid 8.I find it’s great for getting nail varnish off too 😀
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I rarely do a shopfront without covering the shutter box
I always tie it into the design and loose it ,i hate the things they are a blight on the high st
I Just thoughly clean with spirit and meths and lay on 9800 sweat round the rivets and slice through where the panels join
I DONT vinyl the whole thing only the face. Ive painted the ends on occasion
using enamel matched to the vinylTerry
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i think the composite idea is the best as it will not only colour match but give a nice finish. shutter boxes are often out of shape and all over the place, even when new. covering in vinyl normally emphasis this and draws your attention to imperfections and the indents where fixed and the like. anyway.., some good double sided table on the rear of dibond and some rivets will bond it nice and flat. though ide advise heating the parameter of the box with a heat gun in this weather of the tape wont adhere well.
better still…
router two grooves in the dibond the length of the box and simple fold top and bottom and fix on the folds hiding any visible fixings at all and no need for the d/sided tape.
here is an extreme case that wasn’t planned and that resulted in trying to make an old crap sign look good. this was posted in 2004, but was the only one i can remember posting that involved a shutter box…
as you can see, in this case i used an L-shaped angle to finish which isn’t what i would have used but in this case, Begger’s cant be choosers.https://www.uksignboards.com/viewtopic.php?t=7787
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We’ve done quite a few of these usually from dibond folded and fitted over the existing shutter box in the same material as the fascia.
You need to be careful with the positioning and length of any screws as you may damage the shutter that is rolled up inside the cover that you are fitting to.
Just make sure you keep screws at the leading edges of the shutter and not in the middle of the flat face area.
Colin
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thank you everyone.
Customer is wanting to ensure access to the roller shutter box is available should anything break and they need to get into it.
Also, the top of the box is not square, it’s a slight curve at the top and not a right angled finish so if a composite panel is going on then it’ll need to be a few mm short of the height so it fits flush. Customer wants an ali frame around it ………… would that not be more likely to cause a problem?
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