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Wooden Sign Problems
I’m experiencing a little frustration with wooden signs and I wondered if anyone had any comments or help.
Being fundamentally a traditional signwriter. I have used wood for most of my signs. I used to get them made by a joiner but the cost sprialed and I decided to start making them myself a few years ago.
I always use an oak frame for durability, rebated to take the interior panel.
The problem is the panel itself. I started out using marine ply but found that it is not always the best finish on the face. Also it can de-laminate in time.
I was advised to start using Medite. It’s supposed to be waterproof if painted properly. So I have been using that for the last couple of years.
Trouble is some of my signs have started to bubble at the bottoms, one of them within the last year.
It’s annoying to say the least, especially when you go to the trouble of painting them with at least six coats of paint!
I spoke to my supplier of medite and was told that you have to make sure that you paint the edges of the boards properly.
Not easy though when that edge sits within an oak frame.Not sure what to do now.
My customers tend to like a traditional looking sign, they come to me for that reason. But I’m thinking of taking the GRP route. Just can’t afford to do these things twice!Any comments guys?
I’ve spoken to a friend at Wadworths sign shop and he tells me that they only use Fibreglass these days.Tim
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10 Replies
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Hi Tim
I have used medite in the past, up to now haven’t had a problem (fingers crossed)
I always seal and prime all the bare edges and faces before assembly though. There are also interior, and exterior grades of medite. I’m sure you are aware of that though.
Did you glue the panels in place? and if so what glue/adhesive was used.
Using a silicone based or exterior adhesive would also help seal the edges against moisture ingress and allow for a little expansion.If you want to continue using oak frames, an alternative to fibreglass is dibond composite, or similar. Another route is to buy pre-made fibreglass blanks, complete with moulded frame. If they are painted properly, no one can tell what material they are made of. (unless they touch or tap them)
Dont know if this is any help.
I hope you can repair rather than replace the faulty signs, perhaps by routing or cutting out the offending edge, and just replacing the edge. you could then maybe fix a an architrave or concave moulding round the inner edge of the frame? A lot less work than doing the whole sign again.
or even cut down the frame to the new panel size?Peter
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Hi Peter
Thanks for the indepth response and advice.
I have been using exterior grade Medite or Medex, but I have been a bit lax as I have not been painting or sealing the edges before assembly.
More fool me I guess! It thought that I’d be OK if the whole thing was painted properly.
I have been using Evostik external wood glue. Never tried a silicone based glue, is there one that you would recommend?To be honest I had thought too about using dibond instead and forgetting the medite altogether. I would still use the oak frame as it never seems to be a problem in that area. It would put a little more on the cost but at least I would have more confidence that they were more durable.
Can you recommend also a good supplier of the GRP stuff?
I may have to get one and see the difference.Thanks again for your help mate.
I love this site!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tim
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Hi.
I have painted on regular exterior fir plywood for years. I get the A/C kind (sanded one side, not as smooth on the other) prime well, sand, then put on 1-Shot as a background.
However, lately I have been buying a factory finished product called SignWhite. I’m not sure if I trust it yet tho, time will tell. I’ve never used MDO board beacsue the paper coating seems to break down on signs I see made from it.
I think, in your case, that you could use DiBond successfully if you put it in the traditional oaken frame. It takes paint very well and lasts indefinately. Nothing wrong with mixing modern technology with traditional technique.
Love….Jill -
Thanks Jill
I think that I have decided to use Dibond.
Good advice from Peter about sealing the edges of Medite if I use it but I’m just too bitten to do that again.Tim
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Sorry for the dely in replying Tim
For glass fibre blanks, we have always had good service from them.
Peter
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Hi Tim.
We always used exterior medite, & tried everything when sealing the edges, from sanding them glass smooth & painting, to using very expensive MDF edge sealer, but the stuff still puffs out after a few years (especially if you face fix)
I try not to touch the stuff now, using aluminium, foamex, fibreglass, diabond etc & have never looked back. Quicker turnaround too (2 days for a sign instead of 7+)
If a customers specifically asked for a wooden sign, I charge a fortune (intense labour compared to buying ali in) & state that due to the change in climate, it might not last very well. That way, at least it puts the ball in their court should it go wrong.
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Thanks guys
I think that I am sold on Dibond now.
I had an interesting conversation with the guy who makes all the signs for Wadworths.
As I said before they use mainly GRP these days but when they do make a wooden sign he said that they use marine ply.
However, he said that you MUST insist that it is East Asian plywood and not Brazilian. Also that he never puts a bottom edge on them.
All too much for me!If you don’t mind me asking, what do you term a fortune?
I’ve been worrying a little about the extra cost, especially when making a double sided sign. (two sheets of Dibond)Tim
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Tim,
Dibond (and other makes) usually comes in 2, 3 and 4mm thick. 2mm is OK for signs with a good frame, 8 x 4 sheet., expect to pay around £50-55
4mm about £65-70.It is double sided, so if you make a slotted wooden frame, only one panel is needed.
Peter
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Guess so Chris.
I’ve always made them nice and chunky so old habits die hard.
Especially when they are large.
Seems I’ll have to get up to date!Tim
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Tim I make A boards out of Medite ‘cos they are heavy so cope with the wind up here, not had any trouble yet but maybe they are not old enough yet.
Steve whatshisface uses it all the time and has never expressed any problem with it, infact I am sure he had an unprotected piece outside for a year or something and it had not bulged. (correct me if I’m wrong)
Dave
Hate the time it takes to make/paint them so I am working on an easier design.
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