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Flat cut chrome letters what is the best way??
Hi all,
I have a job involving flat cut chrome(mirror finish) letters and the problem is this,
I have been told by another fellow sign maker not to use acrylic as it doesn’t last.
to buy a composite sheet in mirror finish would cost about £170.00 so quite alot for a small job. Does anybody know if it is ok to apply chrome vinyl on to composite and then have it routed?? would it last ok outdoors??
thank you
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10 Replies
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Why don’t you just buy the lettering you need from a trade supplier?
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quote Neil Davey:Why don’t you just buy the lettering you need from a trade supplier?Seems the obvious answer to me. Plenty of suppliers who will do these for you.
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£170 for mirror finish ACP 😮
Maybe try a different supplier?
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Also, the only way to create a nice finished edge when applying vinyl to a substrate and then router is to engrave that edge first to separate before the final router pass.
Otherwise the bit chews the vinyl up. -
Why not try flat cut mirror polished stainless steel? If its for outdoor use that’s not near a coast the normal 304 grade will do the job and in my opinion a much nicer and classier finish than any acrylic or composite out there.
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The customer has specific requirements so would need to be cut from design, does anybody know any trade suppliers who can cut frm design and supply the material? Thank you.
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quote Ryan Fairweather:Also, the only way to create a nice finished edge when applying vinyl to a substrate and then router is to engrave that edge first to separate before the final router pass.
Otherwise the bit chews the vinyl up.this is what i thought too Ryan but simon told me a couple of days ago that it actually works! havent had a chance to give it a go yet.
as for the initial question, i too recon the best method for you would be to buy in from a trade only supplier.
we buy in mirror chrome reynabond from Robert Horne, doubt its £170 more like £90 if even that. give them a buzz, nothing lost in trying.
Mirror film is not vinyl, its a foil and even if you managed to get the finish perfect the film is only 6 month to a year life. dont get me wrong there are ways to increase its life, i have done it in the past. but not on the likes of flat cut letters.
alternatively you could go for chrome wrap films from the likes of 3M, Avery or Hexis, but your not going to get that for any less than about £50 – £100 per metre. then you still have to source the sheet material and mount it.
at the end of the day, if your pricing the job properly you shouldnt have any problems buying in the letters from a trade supplier/
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quote Ryan Fairweather:Also, the only way to create a nice finished edge when applying vinyl to a substrate and then router is to engrave that edge first to separate before the final router pass.
Otherwise the bit chews the vinyl up.Use a Spiral downcut cutter and you can do it in one pass
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I’ll give it a go on the ZUND on Monday.
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quote Ian Johnston:Use a Spiral downcut cutter and you can do it in one passOr if you dont have a downcut, turn the work upside down, mirror, and use an upcut!
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