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I need to make an outdoor sign. There is a piece of wood that's already there, however, taking it down seems like a lot of work. We were going to attempt to put the vinyl up on the sign without removing it. Now, the problem is the weather. It's snowing here, and I doubt I can find a time where the temperature is above 40 degrees long enough to get the vinyl on the sign.
Should I get another piece of wood, apply the vinyl to that, and then screw it up? Should I get a piece of plexiglass and apply the vinyl and screw it up so that the vinyl is on the inside (for some protection from the weather)? Should I just try to keep the sign warm with a heat gun? It only has to last no longer than 6 months.
If it only has to last 6 months or so. Can you apply your vinyl graphics to Corplast or Sintra and attach that to the existing wood? A sheet of Corplast would be cheap and durable. Good luck.
Whatever you do, don't apply it to the wood directly. Being that cold it will not work well. Also to make it look nice for the 6 months I would use at the minimum the corpplast idea. bare wood can be uneven and then the sign looks sloppy.
The corplast isn't a bad idea. I have a bunch of it left over from something else. The only issue is, should I cut it to fit the letters only or the entire sign? The bottom of the sign gradually comes to a point. The end of the point to the top of the sign is 6.5 feet. Do I cut the corplast to match that, which will take a lot of corplast, so do I just cut a rectangle to act as a backing for the vinyl? Think the sign would look dumb if it was a smaller corplast sign screwing into a big piece of wood?
The wood is painted white. The corplast is white. Think it would even be noticeable? The sign sticks out over a sidewalk. It's high enough so people can walk under it.
overlay the entire sign! even if it's temporary....it's the customer's presence to the world for that length of time - and it's important that it look professional!
Just think about what you would want if this was your sign.
This is my sign. I am nervous about cutting the corplast to fit the sign. I figured if it was square, it would be easier to cut and depending on how far down the sign it goes, it would be less noticeable if the corplast closely fit the edges of the vinyl.
Plus, I don't know where to get it locally. I have some left over because I had to get it shipped, and I had to order a pack of so many sheets. If I run out, I don't want to have to buy another pack that I won't use.
Trying to overlay a 6 1/2 ft. sign w/ coroplast might be a trick, because there will be a seam evident. I would think this would look cobbled together. Might be best to use signboard (1/2" plywood overlayed) as a base for the vinyl lettering.
If the sign is 6.5 feet tall and 4' or less wide just turn the corplast to match. You could also cover the seam with vinyl or a piece of wood painted to match. Would it be possible to fasten the corplast to the wood and then trim it to size? That way it would match the shape of the existing sign. You would need to install the vinyl so it would be in the correct location but the finished sign may look better that way.
Have you thought about painting your graphics on the existing wood instead of using vinyl. Use your plotter to make a pounce pattern or cut a paint mask. Paint with One Shot and you are done.
There is probably a hundred ways to do it. Can you post a picture of the existing sign? I still think Corplast will work. If you need to seam 2 pieces of corplast you can use wire or pieces of an old step stake and stick the pieces together at the flutes.
Cut your graphics out of sign foam, paint to color. Attach to existing wood with a dab of silicone and a couple of finnishing nails.
Well keep us posted.
Here's a picture, but it's not that great. It was already getting dark by the time I got here. I will try to get a better one tomorrow. It's a piece of plywood bolted to a metal bracket on one edge and the top. That bracket is then bolted to the building. There are also cables running to the other edge on the top and bottom of both sides.
Outdoor Vinyl Sign? 
