Need to install a sign - suggestions for methods...

[rtimgray]

Alright, I got drafted to install a sign for my church. The sign itself is 3' x 5', and it will be mounted horizontally. A business in town has donated a location that already has to posts installed, with lights and everything, but the condition is that we can't move the posts. The existing postes are 4" square plastic posts that are 80" outside to outside. Height is about 7' - they used to have a sign installed there for a business that no longer exists, so they aren't being used now.

My idea was to use a piece of plywood, cut to 80" long, and mount that to the posts with screws/bolts (I'm not sure what's inside the posts - they're not solid, but I don't think they have wood in them. I think they might be a plastic sheath over a metal pipe). The background of the 3'x5' sign (which is metal) is white, with black and red writing. I was going to paint the plywood white and then mount the sign to the plywood. My questions for this: is this a good idea? Will the plywood last a long time, if I use CDX and paint it? Should I use treated plywood? Is there a paint that is compatible with treated plywood?

I'm also open to other suggestions for mounting methods or materials. Thanks.


Good luck and take care.

 

[MikeInEburg]

Wind can be a powerful force. A large solid rectangle makes a great sail. I'd consider mounting the sign on a 3X5 piece of plywood and mounting that to two 2X6 boards that span the space between posts.

 

[rtimgray]

Good thought...any recommendations on lumber type/paint? Thanks.

 

[Lloyd_E]

You are only talking about 10" on either side of your new side(36"x60") fitting within the 80" space of the two posts.
I would connect two horizontal pipes above and below your sign - leave some room for clearance and visual appeal
and strap your sign to it - using u-shape straps that will go over the pipe and bolt through your sign.

Your sign is probably alloy with a white covering - standard in the sign business - will last a long time.
Unless you seal the plywood you will have problems down the road. They do make a plywood for signs specifically -
but it is very expensive.

See links.
http://media.merchantcircle.com/3828331/Stihl Sign_full.jpeg
http://www.broadwayhardware.net/images/sign.jpg


You need to attach a bottom support to keep the sign from swaying.

If you can - run some wood - slightly smaller than the plastic posts - inside the posts to give it strength to bolt to.

lloyd

 

[deerseeker001]

i would use marine plywood stands up great with the weather

 

[dirt ditch]

One of our local churches used expanded metal painted white for the back of their signs The letters are painted a contrasting color. Think they have a cross on it to. Looks nice.

 

[PILOON]

If you use plywood you need to seal well and oil based paint.
My preference would actually be tempered Masonite which offers a nice easy to paint lettering on, naturally primed and a good glossy paint finish.
Best signs you will notice always have light (white) backgrounds with dark lettering for best contrast.
If you are hand lettering use "One Shot" sign lettering paint (by Sherwin Williams) and buy a real sign lettering brush, not cheap but makes for easy lettering as well as details.
A lettering brush has longer than usual bristles that can make a pro out of anybody with the least steady hand.

While not a sign painter, I learned a lot from my uncle that earned his living at that trade. (but I can do a fair job)

If you are simply lettering, a good art supply house can offer all sizes and styles of fonts. Lettraset and Lettrasign are 2 brands.

 

[IkeRoberts]

If the church sign you have is professionally produced, it will already be sealed well to withstand the weather. You do not want to drill or screw through this finish and shorten the life of the sign. You also do not want to mount the back of your sign against the boards holding it or it will trap water between the sign and the mount. Use 2x6 or 8 or 10 inch boards for the top and bottom. Make 2 c shaped pieces to fit under the bottom edge of the sign to hold it. Make the same c shaped holders for the top. Make them to extend over the edges of the sign enough to hold but not to detract from the appearance. Place a small spacer between the sign and the mount boards to hold the sign away from the board. Screw the c clamps into the mount boards enough to snug the sign so it doesn't move in the wind. If security is an issue, use security screws so noone can steal your sign.

 

[rtimgray]

The sign is already made - professionally. It is only about 1/4" thick - maybe less. I just need to get a 5' wide sign between two posts 6' apart (clear - 6'8" out to out) Could I just take some (treated) 2x6's and cut a slot in them for it to sit snuggly into and then mount them to the posts? As far as what IkeRoberts is suggesting, I don't get what the "c" shaped holders are - are they wood, metal, plastic, something custom or readily available, etc?

Thanks again for all the help, fellas.

 

[Western]

Here is a sign I made and put in at a church in town.

I used 3/4 plywood and sandwiched it between 2 sheets of White Formica counter-top material I got a Lowes (cheap). Easier than tieing your shoes. I glued it on, next day I routed the edges smooth and put edge trim on, all sealed. I used 1-1/2" angle iron on both sides to bolt the sign to the post, ( also caulked it "just in-case") So far it has handled winds around 60mph. The lettering I got from a local sign shop at a discounted rate ($100). Cost of the sign was about $500, sign shop said it would retail around 3-5k with the wood and rock ( I wasn't finished with the rock when I took the photo.