Sandblasted Sign – Why You Should Get One

If you want to make an impression with the sign you construct for your business then a sandblasted sign is sure to get you noticed for all of the right reasons! These signs are impressive looking even if the design is simplistic. They have a charm that is all their own. Here we look at how to make one. 

If you are looking for something a little out of the ordinary for your business then a sandblasted sign will do the trick. These signs are one of a kind as there is nothing else exactly like them. They are appealing to the eye and they have a rustic and country look to them that is welcoming and warm. If you take a drive along the shore you will find lots of these types of signs. Let us take a look at how a sandblasted sign is made. 

There are a few steps involved in the construction of a custom sandblasted sign. First the design process must take place and then the layout must be approved. After that the fabrication can get underway. 

The sign blank must be made first. If you are unfamiliar with the sign blank then it is the general shape of a sign prior to being sandblasted. Wooden signs can be put through this process as can HDU sign foam signs. The former is crafted from quality lumber and must be treated under harsh conditions in order to reduce the chances that checking or warping will take place. Not all wooden boards will make it through the intense conditions of the kiln however. The latter are made from open celled high density urethane (HDU). The HDU sign foam is very flexible and versatile. There are many different finishes and textured that can work well with sign foam. Which you choose to use is up to you. 

The next step is to do the masking for the sign blank. To get the dimensional effect that you want the sign blank must be blasted. To do this it must be covered by a rubber mask that is cut for the digitally formed design. The portions of the sign that need to be put through the sandblasting process are taken from the mask. This serves to protect the raised areas while at the same time revealing the sections that need to be put through the process. 

To sandblast a sign dry cool air mixes with a collection of sand in a tank. This mixture must be set at a very high pressure. The mixture of air and sand goes through a ceramic nozzle and strips away everything it comes in contact with. The rubber mask serves as a form of protection for the mixture being blasted. When the exposed sections are revealed what is left is nothing less than beautiful and elegant. If your sandblasted sign is made of wood then you will have natural patterns and if you used foam then you will have a sand textured surface that you can be proud of. 

The hard work has now been completed. You then need to clean the sign and prepare it for priming and finishing. The sign must then be primed in relation to the application that was used. This is because not all sandblasted signs have the exact same finishing requirements. However it is worth noting that not all signs require priming. For instance natural wood signs often require a finish and a stain and nothing else. To finish the sign commercial grade enamels can be used. You may also want to consider a clear coat or a stain for the look you long for.

Article Tags: Sandblasted Sign, Sign Blank, Sign Foam

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