Forum Replies Created

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  • Mike Brown

    Member
    December 18, 2003 at 12:37 pm in reply to: A Big Hi To All!

    Hi Addie…and welcome to the UKSignBoards!!! 😉

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    December 17, 2003 at 9:52 am in reply to: Just to say "Hello"

    …Hi Steve…and welcome to the site – and the world of signs! 😉

    Not only are there loads of bikers on here but a great many folk happened into the trade through luck more than design…so you’re amongst good company!

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    December 16, 2003 at 1:28 pm in reply to: Last Orders Please

    …off from this Friday lunchtime til the 5th! 😀 WOOHOO!!! – I labsolutely LUV XMAS!

    …big kid really… 😛

    more soon

    and a very merry xmas

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    December 15, 2003 at 10:50 pm in reply to: Van Graphics: Centre Flowers

    …think I must have missed this one origianlly Alan 😳

    Just read it through and was real pleased to see that it looked as great in real life as it did on the mock-up…quality work indeed.

    thanks for sharing your work

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    December 14, 2003 at 2:25 am in reply to: Cheers !

    Welcome Nigel – Welcome indeed…!!! 😀

    Glad you found us – make sure you tell others.

    With 11 years under your belt you should have some stories to tell and things to pass on…

    look forward to hearing lots from ya’!

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    December 12, 2003 at 1:06 pm in reply to: Birch Grove Cattery

    great work Steve – they’re gunna love that one!!!

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    December 12, 2003 at 1:01 pm in reply to: 100th post

    …specsavers…hehehe! 😛 😉

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    December 11, 2003 at 11:02 pm in reply to: Time for a Change

    …Hi Steve…

    It’s good that you have this urge to move on…someone very wise (and very close to me) once said: “…the reason we are entrepenuers whilst others aren’t – is that we not only trust our gut-instinct but act on it too!…” Sounds to me that you’re about ready to do what you feel is right… 😕

    Good luck and keep us informed of what is happening.

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    December 11, 2003 at 10:49 pm in reply to: Cogratulations Robert.

    …and a grateful thank you from me too, my old friend :wink:…

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    December 4, 2003 at 4:55 pm in reply to: .CDL Recovery

    sometimes (I stress ‘sometimes’) you can get at it by opening an empty page in Signlab and then ‘importing’ the file instead of trying to open it…if this works then simply re-save using the filename of your choice…

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    December 4, 2003 at 9:20 am in reply to: how long do i wait when ive applied vinyl wet on car?

    …do it ‘in-doors’ if you can and bring the ambient temperature up!

    best to use a warm environment rather than a heat gun if you can help it…too direct a heat source may cause blistering when the moisture or air trapped under the vinyl is suddenly heated and it steams/expands! – so as Becky said use a heat source but only to help things along gently.

    Run the car outside for a while with the heaters full on before bringing it inside – this’ll warm it from the inside and helps the process.

    Keep the vinyl warm prior to use…either keep it inside the (now warm) car or in a box next to a radiator or other heat source.

    If applying wet – use an application fluid as Allan suggested – they evaporate quicker…the actual timing will depend on all the other variables so experiment with the first few pieces or some spares…

    Don’t forget – it’ll be ready when it’s ready!

    When I’ve fitted in the winter (wet or dry) the phrase I use is: “… leave it alone til it’s had the sun on its back for a few hours…” 😉

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    December 3, 2003 at 11:20 pm in reply to: airbrushing: petrol tank

    beautiful pictorial Gordon! 😀 great detailing 😎

    more please

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    December 3, 2003 at 7:19 pm in reply to: any advice please on design of new logo and van layout?

    Peter C…

    I’ve not replied thus far – have been watching though…

    Your latest designs are fabulous – they shock!…they ignore convention and they will be a pig to fit – but who cares…

    if you can do it – then go for it and your work will stand out!

    do what you want – not what you should 😉

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    December 1, 2003 at 8:21 pm in reply to: Looking for a new Job

    is this a giggle Lor’?…are you really looking for a change? 😕

    Is so, then good luck to ya’ 😉

    come on – tell us all about it!…

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    November 29, 2003 at 4:57 pm in reply to: Strange?????

    total nerd response from me – but it would sound like it could be a port setting or perhaps the plotter driver needs reinstalling or perhaps if the plotter is set up in the printers section of windows as (an output option) then check there too???…I dunno… 🙁

    let us know what you find out, when you fint it out..sorta…you know what I mean 😀

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    November 28, 2003 at 11:05 am in reply to: Hello

    Welcome Bill!

    (grab) now we’ve gotcha!.. 😀

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    November 27, 2003 at 10:22 pm in reply to: Hi everyone!

    Hi Amy,

    Glad you stick your neck out and said hello – now stick it out some more and follow your dream! 😉

    Good luck with your demo – it’s not my filed so I can’t advise – but make sure you do your homework before spending any of that hard earned cash and ask as many questions as you like…

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    November 27, 2003 at 7:15 pm in reply to: come on 100!!!

    (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain)
    (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain)
    (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain)
    CONGRATULATIONS!
    (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain)
    (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain)
    (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain) (drain)

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    November 26, 2003 at 6:59 pm in reply to: Window Graphics : Various Etch Work

    …I rest my case – anyone trying to apply wet outside in the conditions you have there at the moment is mad!…not only that but you have to wonder if they’ve ever been taught correctly – else they’d have the trucks inside and control the conditions etc. if they want to fit wet that is?

    I guess they’re scared of messing up those lovely expensive digital prints whereas your cut vinyl pieces could be inexpensively replaced…

    You’ve gotta know what your at that’s for sure…

    great story Rob – how are you gettin gon at the Dairy?…

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    November 26, 2003 at 5:23 pm in reply to: Shop Fascia Sign : Jaspers

    nice work Steve – I luv it when you make stuff by hand – it’s so refreshing and kinda ‘the way it should be’…is this was the one you had the dealine moved forward on?

    more please 😀

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    November 26, 2003 at 10:54 am in reply to: Signs : Various

    Great work Gray!

    I particularly love that LeoLight name – fabulous!

    any chance of a close-up when you’ve time…ta!

    look forward to seeing more of you soon.

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    November 26, 2003 at 10:25 am in reply to: Window Graphics : Various Etch Work

    …great laugh!…I luv it… 😆 😆 😆

    Thanks for the banter Rob 😛 😆

    …surely the wet app used by beginners isn’t often true wet application though – it’s just an attempt to make the fitting easier by slapping on vast amounts of overly-soapy water due to a lack of confidence and experience. It seldom involves the correct preparation, solution strengths or additives – the conditions are not right and the backing is either removed too soon or not left long enough. It took me a long time to get the best from wet app. When I show other signmakers how to fit vinyl – we study preparation first, followed by dry app and only then do we do true wet app.

    Wet application can be used for a great deal of work on cars, vans, trucks, bikes and boats to name a few – including complex curves on bonnets and tailgates, flat panels (of course), undulating panels and roofs – in fact anywhere except into recesses. It can be used for panelling flexible wheel covers with banner material and indeed aplying banner vinyl onto banners (whose adhesive is particularly agressive!). It can be used for glasswork of all types, applying vinyl to acrylic, panelling foam signs, multicolour alignment work, magnetic panels and, as someone already pointed out, can be very useful for applying large single pieces on your own without risk!

    Of course you/me/others use dry app most of the time – but wet app is just another application method – it’s not a lesser/inferior/worse method, neither is it just for the unexperienced or anything like that…in fact it involves a greater learning curve than dry application and produces consistently better results on most types of signwork – it’s just not popular because of the time factor and it needs the right conditions. We often panel signs, wheel covers and magnetics one day, leave them to dry/cure for a dew days and then decorate them and large etch panels are applied to a window at the end of one day and the tape removed either the following morning or the day after that…being a good signmaker has nothing to do with speed! 😀

    Many newcomers and improvers often hang on every word that we more experienced folk say on here – that’s understandable – I just wanted to make sure that this whole wet/dry app thing comes over a ‘balanced’ kind of way… 😉

    I do enjoy these debates 😉 😆 😆 😆 😆 and I hope Rob don’t mind his post including such chit-chat…once again – the etch work that everyone has posted here is great and an inspiration to all to try to experiment with its effects and applications…

    Phill that made me laugh OUT LOUD 😆 😆 😆 – thanks mate 😉

    Lamby – beautiful use of coloured etch, I luv the cut outs for the signs and the overall design is spot-on! 😉

    more soon

    mikethesign

    PS. YES – I fit 90% of vinyl dry too! 😉

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    November 26, 2003 at 1:41 am in reply to: hello

    Hi Noel,

    Welcome to the UKSignBoards! 😀

    We like unusual questions – and even unusual people? – I think? 😛

    Look forward to hearing all about what you do and what you hope to do…

    get stuck in!

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    November 26, 2003 at 1:01 am in reply to: Window Graphics : Various Etch Work

    …it’s just the way you put it Rob 😛 – for example…

    quote :

    I started out with wet apps and moved on after a couple of years.

    Wet application isn’t something to be moved on from?…it’s simpy another method of fitting that all signmakers use whenever and wherever necessary. You make it sound like it’s only for babies or summut?! 😀

    quote :

    If you spill some soupy water onto a piece of clean glass laid flat and next to it some fresh water. Leave it there till it dries naturally. The fresh water will be gone completely. But the soupy will leave a milky residue.

    Well, I presume you mean ‘soapy’ water cus if not well – yes!, soupy water is gunna leave bits of mushroom, tomato and/or minestrone all over the shop! 😆 😆 😆 – got ya! 😛

    Seriously though, you’re right that residue in a vehicle recess will interfere with adhesion – and I agree that wet app should not be used for wraps or recess work…but…even ‘plain’ water will leave marks when it has evaporated. It contains salts, minerals, sometimes flouride and lots more, hence the term ‘water-mark’ Even the meths you use to clean the panel prior to such work is made from ethanol – which itself is made from biomass containing sugars and cellulose and it leaves a residue too – try it!. Other cleaners are even worse! ‘White Spirits’, for example, is distilled from crude oil (as is the detergent we use in the water!) which leaves an oily residue that can actually attack the vinyl adhesive over time…so we’re all damned – whatever we use! 😆

    Wet application, where appropriate, will produce consistently better results than dry application every time. It assists in the expulsion of air and minor surface debris from between the vinyl and the substrate for a more predictable result, it allows lifting of the vinyl to remove unwanted debris (which can happen regardless of how well you prep) it reduces stressing and distortion in the vinyl at the point of application and it reduces ‘bruising’ too. The downside to wet app. of course is that it requires time and, as we all know, time is often the enemy on many commercial jobs…

    …and if Rob don’t bite at that – I’ll be surprised! 😆 😆 😆

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    November 25, 2003 at 12:50 am in reply to: hand painted signage: fosnights of valencia

    I agree Rob – smart marbling Jill! 😉

    I also like the little bit of a glow created by the light blue secondary outline – and there are some lovely shapes going on in there! 😀

    thanks for sharing

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    November 24, 2003 at 11:56 pm in reply to: Window Graphics : Various Etch Work

    Rob – I don’t get any hassle from customers about what I do cus I simply tell them how it’s gunna be from the start!…lol…and it’s not a case of money over four days just four relatively quick visits to check all is well and let the elements run their course. 😎 As long as I’ve know you – you’ve fitted stuff dry and I know it’s your preferred method of application (and your bloomin’ good at it too!) 😉 but I would suggest that dry is not necessarily the ‘best’ method – it is simply one method…

    When I meet with others in signmaking I always show them all the methods of fitting and take great trouble to explain the different methods and processes as well as the reasons for their use and typical applications.

    You’re right off course about dry being the fastest method of fitting – but it is only the ‘best’ provided certain conditions apply…for anyone to presume or suggest that wet application is ‘easy’ is a misnomer as it takes just as long to show students the correct method of preparation and application for using the wet method as it does the dry!

    The reason for using detergent (and other additives) in the water is something else we discuss on the first day of learning to apply vinyl – the detergent reduces the surface tension of the water and so encourages the formation of a film as opposed to droplets. This film creates a uniform barrier that makes for a smoothly progressive and regular application and helps in the expulsion of both air and microscopic surface debris through the water membrane…:wink: 😛

    Anyone reading this shouldn’t be perturbed by mine and Roberts (and all the other regulars’) ‘jibing’ – we’ve known each other too many years and enjoy a bit of lively banter (not to mention winding each other up!) and we all have our favourite methods too 😉 If you’re new here or don’t yet post very much – PLEASE – join in and say what you think about fitting vinyl and what method you’re most comfortable with – I assure you, whatever your views or questions on the subject – it’ll be taken in the ‘right way’!

    cheers Rob – and that is definately some awesome etch work you’ve posted 😉

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    November 24, 2003 at 6:15 pm in reply to: (funny) Not another church sign!

    brilliant – made me laugh…and that’s the best medicine!

    thanks Gray – as always 😉

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    November 24, 2003 at 9:57 am in reply to: Window Graphics : Various Etch Work

    I too apply 90% of vinyl dry – but would always apply large etch panels (on glass) wet.

    I normally leave such vinyl from 2-4 days to dry out, returning everyday to squeegee it over…but then the last job we did using etch vinyl on glass (very similar in size to the ‘Mark Hill’ one shown above – though admittedly witha few more pieces) we priced at £1,600 for the etched window work alone – so there’s no need to do it faster? – just as best I can.

    I also use wet application for some custom grade and exhibition work, for facing white foam PVC board with coloured vinyl and when applying certain pieces on the very hotest summer days. (when applying vinyl is like putting cling-film into a frying pan!).

    I must say, I’ve never had any problem with vinyl applied wet not lasting as long – or had any comebacks from doing so either? Beautiful work though Rob! – and I guess that’s why they call you Fast Signs 😆 😆 😆

    cheers!

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    November 23, 2003 at 9:50 pm in reply to: Window Graphics : Various Etch Work

    nice work Rob and great design – the geometric patterns you’ve used have great impact!

    more please

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    November 20, 2003 at 9:08 pm in reply to: can anyone help please with AI to PS problem?

    HEY YO LADY!!! – get off my post! 😛 😉 😀 😆 😆 😆

    only kidding 😎

    anyone help on either of these issues?

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    November 20, 2003 at 9:25 am in reply to: Truck Graphics

    luv that design down the truck – kinda celtic flame…beaut!

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    November 20, 2003 at 9:22 am in reply to: JeepHood "US flag wrap"

    [wolf-whistle] – ni—————–ice

    you a biker then Brian? – loads of us on here…

    thanks for showing and sharin’

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    November 20, 2003 at 9:20 am in reply to: hand painted signage: assortment

    fandabbydoosee! – as Rob would say 😛

    Gorgeous work Stevo – as James said, fabulous use of colour (I like that) and a totally unique style – very refreshing – first class!

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    November 19, 2003 at 9:15 am in reply to: Hello All!

    we’re all just glad you found us 😉

    look forward to hearing lots from ya’ – cheers vincent!

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    November 18, 2003 at 9:03 am in reply to: we call wall painters walldogs here…do you?

    …a beautiful and very poignant story Jill – thanks for bringing it to our attention…

    There is a saying “nostalgia ain’t what it used to be” and things often look rosier looking back…but surely all of us are helpin gto keep the rich diversity of signart alive by doing what we’re doin’ 😉 Let’s be positive and know that. like Bill, we value what we have and through all our efforts ensure that we brighten lives by what we do!

    Alan – luv the nameof the street!!! – is that near PIG END and BITCH ALLEY! 😀 That’s a lovely sign – why doesn’t someone try to have it protected…the local councils and art movements should surely want to look after it before it’s gawn for ever!

    I wonder if you could airbrush (or god forbid – digitally print…) such a old and patchy ghosted effect onto a clear plexi sheet and mount that onto the wall so the brick shows through…that way you wouldn’t need anything other than everyday planning permission…and if it were reverse painted then the acrylic would help protect the image? Retro stuff is big business these days – folk love it – and pay big money for it too!

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    November 17, 2003 at 10:58 pm in reply to: Hello to all you full colour printer guys out there…

    welcome aboard – it’s great that you found us!

    There are several window tinters here on site and plenty who’d like to know a lot more about it…we all love to read stories and advice about all kinds of stuff, so get postin’ 😉 – There’ll be tons on here about digital (printing) machines both ink and thermal…do a search first of all and/or try to be more specific with your questions…that’s not a criticism…it’s just such a wide ranging topic! 😉

    good luck with your expansion and here’s hoping we can all help in some way…

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    November 17, 2003 at 1:46 pm in reply to: Vehicle Graphis : A Class Valeting

    sorry Mort – should have had the decency to reply to this before now 🙁

    I concur (thaz a lovely word eh) that the ‘Class’ should have been larger etc. but apart from that I think it’s looks bloomin dandy! 😉

    A nice simple piece of signwork that you should be very very pleased with.

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    November 14, 2003 at 11:23 pm in reply to: hi everyone

    Hi Sammy!

    Glad you found us all…and we look forward to learning all about you and what you’ve been doing lately…

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    November 14, 2003 at 11:16 pm in reply to: 4×4 Wheelcovers

    Paddy,

    I use banner material on my wheel covers – always for the main round panel (if it needs one to give a specific colour or hide an existing printed message) and often for the detail too – though that depends on available colours etc. The banner material allows it all to flex with the wheel cover and it gives a nice semi-satin finish that doesn’t ‘flare’ in the lights of the car following at night.

    usually apply wet (panel) and allow a day to cure and then apply the decoration dry. I tend to use a felt applicator as a hard plastic one might dig in as the wheel cover ‘dishes’ as you’re squeegeeing…

    I’ve never bought a cover – I always insist the customer brings their own…we charge between £90-140 to decorate one…

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    November 14, 2003 at 9:41 am in reply to: Starting out

    Luke – Hi! 😀

    sorry we didn’t reply sooner 🙁

    Good luck in your new business ‘over here’. Personally, I would start off on my own and build from scratch – it only took us a few months before we were busy most days…I would suggest getting your business up and running and then make sure you work with other signmakers in the vacinity…seems to me there normally more than enough work to go around. Providing everyone respects each others existing customers and doesn’t mess it up price wise by being cheap then, usually it has a way or working out. Strikes me you shouldn’t have any trouble – I mean you’ve been humble enough to ask for advice here and respect what we all have to offer – so, as the saying goes, “…slowly slowly catchy monkey…” 😉

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    November 14, 2003 at 9:32 am in reply to: Lurking Around

    Hi Jenny! 😀 (move over Lee 😉 )

    really good to see ya’ ‘in person’…

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    November 14, 2003 at 9:29 am in reply to: Will, hello!

    Hi Will! – glad you found us – enjoy yourself here, pop in as often as you can and help out where you can… 😀

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    November 14, 2003 at 9:23 am in reply to: Hi All

    Welcome to the UKSignBoards Paul! 😀

    Glad you found us and look forward to hearing lots from ya’…oh, and as soon as you discover how to post images etc. why not shre what stuff you’ve been upto lately, we luv a good nose! 😉

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    November 12, 2003 at 11:18 pm in reply to: Vehicle Graphics : Ttorria

    Well if that isn’t something a little different then I don’t know what is!? 😀

    You sure you haven’t just placed a dinky toy close to the camera to get the scale? 😛

    The whole thing (the vehicle and your livery) is just brill! – I bet you had some fun doing it too.

    Is it a digital logo print or did you airbrush it on vinyl?

    brill steve – one of signmakings little pleasures.

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    November 12, 2003 at 12:17 pm in reply to: Web Page Design Software

    I use Frontpage…because lifes too short! 😆 Dreamweaver is undoubtedly the king of web programs and when combined with flash stuff it’s amazing…but, as I say, there’s other stuff I wunna do before I die!

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    November 12, 2003 at 9:12 am in reply to: hand painted signage: jill welsh

    …wonderful work! 😀

    the Harvest Valley Farms one is sooo colourful – a beaut!

    thsnka for showing and sharing

    more please!

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    November 11, 2003 at 4:25 pm in reply to: Forex-Classic

    If in doubt Lorraine (regarding how the face may deteriorate that is?) then cover them with 5-7yr or 7-10yr vinyl 😉

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    November 11, 2003 at 4:16 pm in reply to: hi everyone

    Hi Chris – A BIG HELLO!!! – what a lovely part of the country! 😀

    I hope you’ll enjoy being here and we look forward to hearing lots from ya!

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    November 11, 2003 at 11:23 am in reply to: URGENT PRICING HELP REQUIRED

    I know sometimes simple ‘backed’ cut vinyl is sold out at £15 a cut metre or so (at 610mmwide that is) which would make your order abour £450 worth? If you can do it all in a day and the thirty metres of vinyl and tape is gunna cost ya, say, £50 then are you happy to earn £400 for the day?

    As becky says it’s all about timing and what you personally are gunna get out of it? Do the math (as our american colleagues say) and just be happy with your bit. If you’re unsure about how long it will take then simply cut one ‘pass’ of vinyl and time it all…also, when you cost it to the customer make sure you work out the value per phrase and sell it on that basis… 😉

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    November 11, 2003 at 9:34 am in reply to: What would you have done!!

    no mate – you were absolutely right! 😎

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    November 11, 2003 at 9:31 am in reply to: Versa Camm….first impressions.

    Hi Mark,

    Glad you like the new machine – as you will have read in the ‘other’ post I still have one of two questions about it… 😉 It’s exciting getting a new piece of kit!

    Mike Antrim – what are your views regarding Roland’s on-going claims about output and durability?…as a supplier of sign gear, I’d be interested to hear your views – perhaps you could reply in the ‘other’ post…

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    November 10, 2003 at 10:23 pm in reply to: 3M GOLD squeegee.. ?

    …so that’s where it went?… 😀

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    November 10, 2003 at 8:47 pm in reply to: 3M GOLD squeegee.. ?

    …I’ve never known anyone contradict themselves so many times in one post…well actually I have…

    ..well actually I havn’t…

    …well actually I have…

    ..well actually I havn’t…

    …well actually I have…

    😉

    Gold Squeegees I get from Cherwell Signs or Spandex – from £2.35 each…or maybe not? 😕

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    November 8, 2003 at 9:53 pm in reply to: Demos and special access

    As Mort says – well worth it :wink:…

    …It’s very flattering that you want to read all our demos etc. – but don’t you think you should introduce yourself first and say hello properly? 😉 😛

    seriously though – glad you found us – and if there’s anything you wanna know – just ask! 😀

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    November 8, 2003 at 12:37 pm in reply to: Business Valuation

    …there have been two such situation local to me in recent years that I remember…and in both cases the business was sold for about £10k.

    This is no more than it would cost to set up the same basic thing yourself. In signmaking – particularly with an established local business, so much is built up around the work, skill and service of the individual signmaker – when he retires then all that goes anyway…talking over such a business is normally done to aquire assets with the hope that some customers won’t wander.

    good luck and let us know how you get on…

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    November 8, 2003 at 10:07 am in reply to: airbrushing: james dean

    fabulous work! – wish I could do faces? 😕

    how about a step by step on doing a portrait like this eh!

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    November 7, 2003 at 11:14 pm in reply to: Xmas Party!

    Johnny – sorry I didn’t reply sooner…the idea of a xmas get together sounds great – truth is so many plans demand the attention this time of year that after family and the in-laws, xmas shopping, my wifes birthday (2 weeks before xmas!) and all the other stuff…well, you know what I’m saying.

    We really should do something like a spring meet though – it’d be fabulous!…all down to yours then eh! 😉

    oh – and I’d just like to be the first to say…” A MERRY XMAS TO ALL!”… 😕

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    November 7, 2003 at 8:26 pm in reply to: hand painted signage: shunters cafe bar

    nice work Steve – a classic feel and a quality finish 😉

    I’ll tell ya’ what – take the weekend off!

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    November 7, 2003 at 9:51 am in reply to: Curtain Sider Graphics

    WOW! – great stuff Rod…That Red one is fab – what a colour combination!

    more please…

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    November 7, 2003 at 12:26 am in reply to: vehicle outline disc

    sorry Dan – not seen any before 😕

    anyone else know different?

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    November 7, 2003 at 12:24 am in reply to: Hello from Mars

    welcome Jill,

    I’ve only just subscribed to Signcraft – and being ‘over here’ we’ll probalby not see it for a week or three 😕

    will keep an eye out…

    thanks for joining in.

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    November 6, 2003 at 7:51 pm in reply to: Hello! From Vancouver BC

    Hi Petra!

    Welcome to the UKSignBoards – good luck in your new venture and just ask about anything you want…someone is sure to be able to help!

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    November 4, 2003 at 7:07 pm in reply to: (funny) cartoon 2

    😉 😀 😆 thanks Jonathan…great fun!

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    November 3, 2003 at 5:31 pm in reply to: Hi from Canada eh!

    …welcome Stevo – glad you found us – and now that you have you can forget all about that ‘other’ US site eh! 😉

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    November 1, 2003 at 9:56 pm in reply to: Is the Server Playing up??

    had some trouble – time is now 9.55pm and all seems well again?…

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    November 1, 2003 at 2:14 pm in reply to: Another Hi from Downunder

    …Hi Ian – thanks for finding us – now get stuck in 😉 😀

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    November 1, 2003 at 2:12 pm in reply to: Hello Everyone…

    …Hi Andrew! 😀 – blimey you’re within spitting distance of me…brill!…we must get together for a cuppa and swap stories! 😉

    Great to see you doing your own thing and the very best of luck with your relatively new venture.

    Give me a call on 01367 718993 – I’m at Stanford-in-the-Vale Nr. Faringdon but grew up in Aston Tirrold and went to school in Didcot…

    Look forward to you gettin stuck in here…

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    October 31, 2003 at 5:08 pm in reply to: An honor to be among the best

    …Hi Stephen, welcome aboard!… 😉

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    October 31, 2003 at 5:00 pm in reply to: where can i get drivers and software for a PNC1000?

    …Carl, I don’t have one of these – or a Roland – so I can’t help directly….but…

    Give Roland a call on 01792 515045 or call John De Laroche at their northern sales office on 01270 585001 and ask them for assistance – they’re a great bunch! 😀

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    October 30, 2003 at 10:37 pm in reply to: Did you Know?

    …part of a quill/feather and heat?…

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    October 29, 2003 at 4:40 pm in reply to: Neon Signs

    Ahh! – NEON!!!, something we needed to see more of on the UKSignBoards..thank you – and fabulous work too!

    I have no idea how neon signs are done – really!…I’d luv it if you could enlighten us all a little over the coming months.

    It is such a vibrant and distinct field of signmaking, one which, I imagine, uses all kinds of unusual skills too?

    Craig – thanks for bringing both yourself and your work onto the boards…

    more please…

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    October 29, 2003 at 4:36 pm in reply to: Greetings from Iceland

    …and again… 😉

    …seems to me you’ve just about summed up what this site is all about – you’re very very welcome! 😀

    regarding your Summa and the problems you’re having – ask here for specific help and see what happens?…I’m sure someone will be able to advise you.

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    October 28, 2003 at 11:43 pm in reply to: time to introduce myself

    …seems to me you’ve just about summed up what this site is all about – you’re very very welcome! 😀

    regarding your Summa and the problems you’re having – ask here for specific help and see what happens?…I’m sure someone will be able to advise you.

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    October 28, 2003 at 11:38 pm in reply to: New Beeeee

    Welcome to the UKSignBoards Gordon! 😀

    Glad you could join us – I look forward to hearing how you get on setting up your business in the near future. In the meantime, if we can help – we will!

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    October 28, 2003 at 7:22 pm in reply to: URGENT 4hrs

    …just never finished it – too busy most days, maybe over the xmas holiday I’ll have a go! 😉 …thanks for askin’

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    October 28, 2003 at 3:43 pm in reply to: How was this done?

    …I don’t do wrap as such – only some digital, but…I would guess (for fun) that it’s a wrap else the rear hinges would have likely been sprayed too?

    I did wonder if it had been airbrushed but then spotted that the two lightning flashes are identical – just mirrored…

    Personally, I would have done something with the large red phrase down the side – the first part of the red doesn’t workk well against the image?…(oh – you bitch mike – just cus you couldn’t do that! 😛 😉 )

    Nice work…do we know anymore about it?

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    October 28, 2003 at 3:31 pm in reply to: TIME TO OWN UP!!!

    Kevin,

    I quite like Ebay and get a lot of enjoyment out of it. If anything, I think it’s very much a reflection of the world around us in that there is good and bad in all things – even ebay! 😉 – I just don’t have anything to do with the bad stuff. Things don’t always go cheaper – only recently Clare sold a metre of Laura Ashley off-cut material for £10 when it only cost a couple of quid from the actual shop and a pretty little 4″ blue dish she got £21 for and it only cost £2 at the boot sale – but it was a collectable item 😀

    I don’t get angry about the cheapo’ signs and lettering on offer- I just wonder why they bother?! 😕 I’m sure most of us could earn the same money they are making in less than 15 minutes at the bench! – and that’s not snobbery – that’s reality!

    As to whether an original or pirate copy of ‘The Secrets’ will ever appear on there?…well, I dunno? – can only hope it gets a good price if it does 😕 . I should add that as each ‘Secrets’ CD is individually made it’s given an encrypted number type thing and so, in theory, it is possible to tell who it belonged to – or who let their original be copied. :evil:) All I have to do is make sure I outbid everyone else to get a look at it!…lol

    I agree with ya’ that this type of stuff makes you wanna stick ya prices up though! 😀

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    October 28, 2003 at 2:55 pm in reply to: URGENT 4hrs

    John – you did the right thing in asking about it on here…everyone else – brill job, looking after our own I call it! 😉

    Gotta tell ya’ – I had one of these calls recently (but I’d heard of the scam), ir went summut like this:

    call centre: “hello Mr Brown”

    me: “can I help?”

    call centre: “We felt it only fair to call you – I have someone on the other line wanting to buy your domain name, that’s due for renewal soon, and thought you might like first refusal”

    me: “what name is that then”

    call centre: “mikebrownsigns.com”

    me: “no – that’s fine, go ahead – let them have it”

    call centre(sounding surprised): “really!!! – are you sure?”

    me: “yeah – I don’t mind”

    call centre: “are you really sure you don’t mind losing the domain and all that entails?”

    me: “nope – I don’t mind – even if what you’re telling me were really happening and not all in your mind, I wouldn’t mind?”

    call centre: “what do you mean ‘in my mind’?”

    me: “nice try you pratt, now [go forth and multiply]”…..click… I put down the receiver.

    I wish some of these people would find some level of self respect and get a real job! 😉

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    October 28, 2003 at 9:42 am in reply to: Vehicle Graphics : Police car

    …sweet!

    I’m presuming someone does all the preparatory digitising and trial and error stuff – so as to get all the pieces into kit form – so they can then be mass produced to fit that model…or are they done on a one-off basis?

    …and did you provide the police badges for each force or do they arrange them seperately?

    mikethsign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    October 28, 2003 at 9:36 am in reply to: Broadband for us poor yokels

    …well, I guess we’re really lucky! 😎

    In the village where I live, if we’re real lucky we might get broadband in about the year 2150! Then, just recently some wealthy businessman moves into the village and needs broadband to connect his worldwide enterprises. So he’s in the process of having a special dedicated broadband main line brought into the village at a cost reputed to be £45,000! His entire business will only require upto half the capacity of this line and so he has now offered the other half to other businesses in the village…needless to say we said YES PLEASE!

    For £200 each setup plus £30 a month it’s the answer to our prayers.

    All being well – it’ll all be in place for Xmas – yeehaa!

    “…free at last, free at last – thank god almighty, we are free at last!…” Martin Luther King jr.

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    October 28, 2003 at 9:24 am in reply to: Hi from Cornwall

    Hi there Craig! 😎

    The more the merrier 😉 – there’s no flamin’ here and everyones experiences and opinions are sought on all things signmaking…look forward to reading about what you’ve done, what you’re doin’ now and what you like doin’ best…

    more s please

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    October 27, 2003 at 8:47 pm in reply to: time to introduce myself

    Nice to hear from ya on the boards Dave! 😀

    thatnks for the info about yourself – now get stuck in good ‘n’ proper 😉

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    October 27, 2003 at 3:19 pm in reply to: Hi on a sunny monday morning and feel like i got to sleep in

    Hi Nigel! 😀

    You’re not that far from me – hope you’re well and busy too! 😉

    Tell us all about yourself when you’ve chance – and ask away with anything you want.

    Look forward to hearing lots from ya’…

    more soon

    mikethesign
    (Stanford-in-the-Vale Nr. Faringdon)

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    October 26, 2003 at 10:21 pm in reply to: Post Bumping

    Nicola,

    It’s when someone wants to get their topic/thread back up to the top of the ‘latest posts’ list so it’ll attract more attention – this is done by simply adding a ‘reply’ to your own post that consists of no more than a single word or phrase – the database then sees this as a new reply and ‘bumps’ the topic back to the top of the list – ensuring it’ll receive more/fresh attention…

    “bump”

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    October 26, 2003 at 4:02 pm in reply to: (funny) Order, Balance & Effect ?????

    😀

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    October 26, 2003 at 9:35 am in reply to: PRICE GUIDENCE

    no reply yet Kev! 🙁 – it’s not my sort of thing, else I’d have let ya’ know?….

    …come on someone, lend a hand… 😀

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    October 25, 2003 at 1:10 pm in reply to: Hi from sunny?? southend

    Hi Paul! 😎

    We don’t mind a bit o’ lurkin here and there! 😉 Glad you decided to join us and get stuck in…

    Whatever you wanna know – someone here’ll know it…just ask.

    Also, we’d like to hear all about what you’ve been doing, your background, what you like, what you dislike and so on…we’re nosey like that 😀 Your views and opinions are just as relevant and valued as the next guys. No question is ever silly or unwarranted – so let’s go!

    more soon

    Father Xmas!

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    October 24, 2003 at 10:53 pm in reply to: (funny) Order, Balance & Effect ?????

    Steve – you brightened my day!…

    Just done a two-vehicle, 8.5 hours stood-on-cold-concrete sort of a day – came in had a cup o’ tea, sat down logged on and read this – laughed out loud and me’ aches and pains didn’t seem so bad! 😀

    thanks for that!

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    October 24, 2003 at 7:57 am in reply to: is there problems fitting in colder weather?

    [BIG LAUGHS!!!] 😉

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    October 22, 2003 at 9:36 am in reply to: New signmag Sign-Links

    “…here, b l o o d y, here…” Henry 😉

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    October 22, 2003 at 9:33 am in reply to: Versa Cam…

    I’ve also been keeping an eye on this machine – but, like Rob and Adrian, experience has taught me to stand back and see what happens…we’ve witnessed the second-coming all too often.

    I too have seen the £7995 offer price in the all new sign magazine ‘Sign-Link’ (issue 1 received this very morning!) – are Roland happy that this ‘all new’ machine is already being heavily discounted, even though it’s not even here yet! – isn’t it cheap enough already?

    it’ll be interesting to see what happens…

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    October 21, 2003 at 12:06 pm in reply to: Banner for nightclub singer

    …I spoke to RamJam earlier on another matter and suggested that the only thing ‘getting in the way’ of this job was the ‘sparkly/reflective’ bit?…

    If it were me – I’d have the banners printed, including some white detail or highlights and then use a small portable black light/ultraviolet lamp to make the white bits glow!

    You could get hold of a 6″ plastic pipe with end threads, place a scrw-on cap either end and then roll the lightweight ‘mesh’ type banner up, slide it into the tube and slip the handheld flourescent light inside the lot – keep it all together as a kit?…

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    October 19, 2003 at 11:28 am in reply to: airbrushing: modded car

    …exciting work, and real pretty too! 😉 and I hope you get the credit for your work from the the magazine /programme.

    thanks for sharin’…

    more please!

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    October 17, 2003 at 10:18 pm in reply to: Links to famous people

    I’ve been shooting with Ian Botham and Gareth Edwards (boring or what!)…

    …and only recently I had a brief chat with Robert Llewellyn (of Red Dwarf and Scrapheap Challenge fame) in a local garage…I was fitting a sign and he happened to say hello. Turns out he was there selling his dear old mom’s car (she’d lived in the village and had recently passed away)….

    …oh, and I once had a kiss from Debby Harry! 😀 – that’s a long story!

    would love to chat with Patrick Stewart (being a bit of a trekkie!)…one day – one day….

    that’s about it!

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    October 17, 2003 at 6:46 pm in reply to: Hello from Blackburn

    Hi Peter!

    if you’ve something to add or something to gain from being here – you’re very welcome indeed!…join in where you can or ask away regarding questions you may have.

    we look forward to hearing more from ya’!

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    October 16, 2003 at 10:34 pm in reply to: New record for the site yet again!

    …a fabulous achievement Rob – and everyone who takes part deserves a thank you!

    onward and upward!!!

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    October 16, 2003 at 10:31 pm in reply to: Hi from N.I.

    Hi James…it’s great to see you here 😀 – it’s been a while.

    I look forward to hearing about what you’ve been upto since we were last in touch 😉

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    October 15, 2003 at 11:50 am in reply to: What board is best for shopping centre sign?

    Hi Tim,

    From memory, Foamalux (from Brett Martin) is Class 1 fire rated?…

    check out: http://www.brettmartin.com/semifinished/foamalux/fire.shtml

    …I would go for 10mm or so thickness.

    Alternatively, you could contact Ashby and get an aluminium plate supplied with/without rounded corners, grey to the rear and coloured to the face using vinyl (they apply this if you wish) and deliver it pronto!

    don’t have the number to hand – but use the search box above to find other posts about them…

    good luck

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    October 14, 2003 at 4:58 pm in reply to: Hi from Hungary!

    Hi Barnabus…a BIG WELCOME here! 😀

    you’ve a fabulous website – I presume you did it yourself (as you offer web design on your site) – only problem is I couldn’t read a word of it!!! 😆 It’s at times like this I’m reminded that many europeans learn how to speak and write english but that we seldom return the compliment…it’s a pleasure to see you here!

    more soon

    mikethesign

  • Mike Brown

    Member
    October 14, 2003 at 4:53 pm in reply to: Pop-art style raster graphics from vinyl

    Hi Barnabus! 😉

    Brilliant idea – but I too don’t quite follow how you do the bit in corel…if you have a minute could you advise what steps/menus/functions you use to do the conversion from image to dots…

    cheers

    …and I really like you website too – fabulous and very artistic!

    more soon

    mikethesign

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