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Which material for exterior wall sign?

Posted by Declan Holland on 3 May 2006 at 18:42

Hi All,

Since I am fairly new to the sign making game, my knowledge of suitable materials for different application is no very vast.
Up to now I’ve done a few short term signs, and I’ve used Corri-plast/board, and foamalite.
However, a customer of mine requires a new sign (8′ X 2′) for an exterior wall on his premises. I’m not so sure whether Corri-plast or foamalite would be suitable for such a long-term exterior application.

Can anyone recommend a more suitable material, that I can apply vinyl lettering to, that will last a few years at least. Preferably, a low cost material as he wants it done as ‘cheap’ as possible.

Thanks, Declan.
😛

David Rogers replied 19 years, 8 months ago 5 Members · 8 Replies
8 Replies

Pryam Carter

Member
3 May 2006 at 18:54

Alright Declan……….

I would go for dibond or something similar. It is excellent for exterior signage, extremely strong and durable. It also has a decent finish to it for your vinyl lettering. Will last for years mate 😉
Neil Davey

Member
3 May 2006 at 22:18

Tell him ‘Quality’ doesn’t come cheap Declan. Don’t fall into that trap, be fare with your pricing and if he wants cheap send him down the road to someone else. The sign business is being ruined by people not understanding the value of signs, afterall it’s very often the first contact that a business has with a customer.

Regards Neil
Carrie Brown

Member
3 May 2006 at 23:25

We would recommend Reynobond/Dibond or equivalent, Amari plastics stock the reynobond.

😀
M Brown

Member
4 May 2006 at 07:42

I use Foamalux Ultra a fair bit, Its got a lovely finish to it, nice and bright. Gives a quality looking sign when in a frames and not that expensive to buy. Its way superiour to normal foam.

(Foamalux Ultra is a rigid foam PVC sheet with a high gloss PVC finish. It is a strong durable sheet, suitable for exterior use, with a superb gloss surface. Foamalux Ultra has endless applications in the sign, display and fabrication industries) "Westward Plastic"

http://www.westwardplastics.co.uk/s_foamalux.php
Carrie Brown

Member
4 May 2006 at 10:13

Quote: "Foamalux Ultra is a rigid foam PVC sheet with a high gloss PVC finish. It is a strong durable sheet, suitable for exterior use, with a superb gloss surface. Foamalux Ultra has endless applications in the sign, display and fabrication industries"

Isnt it prone to warping though ….. especially using a large sheet. Smaller applications are ok for exterior use …. but in my opinion stick with something like the reynobond/dibond for a sign that large for exterior long time use.

😀
M Brown

Member
4 May 2006 at 10:17

foamalux ultra works fine, your thinking of the cheap foamex. I made a 7.5m x 1.2m sign in EuroTrim its bin up 2 years so far, it does warp and its in direct sunlight. I found customers dont want to spend lots of money on signs, and if your suppling dibond signs, the price must be out of this world
M Brown

Member
4 May 2006 at 18:32

doesnt warp i mean, bit of a typo there
David Rogers

Member
4 May 2006 at 19:38

Not sure what you pay for your Foamalux Ultra, but I bet it’s not THAT much cheaper than Di-bond / Renobond or a similar clone.

I can buy aluminium panels for a about double that of my 5mm white foamex! So super, dupper Foamalux Ultra can’t be that far off alloy!

Dave

ps. I too have done some large PVC signs on the basis of ‘economy’ hung in a frame. Sure it doesn’t warp, but from day one I’m mildy worried that the retaining/hanging strips and panel joins will hold. I stopped speccing PVC for anything really big. I prefer peace of mind over profit!

pps. Have used Foamalux too, it is quite nice stuff. Glossy, not brittle & looks like cheap acrylic!