Building a Display Easel

[TomoHawk]

OK, so you want to build a display or sign with information about your car to hang on an easel so people can read it...

I have a large lexan sheet with the bottom bent back like a foot to support the thing on the ground or a table, and the sign is a big sheet of vinyl (about 20 x 22 inches) with stuff printed on it at the copy center.

The problem is; how do you stick the vinyl to the lexan? You could tape it on the edges, which looks sloppy. You could use double-sided tape around the perimeter, but you'd have to put a few strips in the center to support the center, and that will stick out too.

What other options are there, besides using a backing of plywood, card or more Lexan, which adds weight?

Has anyone else made a sign for their car?

thxZ

Edited September 14, 2012 by TomoHawk

[grantf]

Soapy water and a sqeegee?

Spray glue like 3m super 77?

[TomoHawk]

Whatever you spray on the sign will show through the Lexan window. I think he 3M77 has a yellow color? Too bad you can't get clear spray glue. Maybe some clear double-sided adhesive tape dots; It would minimize what you see through the Lexan. Where do you get those?

[grantf]

hmmm. I guess I am misunderstanding you're project. So the printing is not opaque?

[TomoHawk]

The information is printed on a large piece of white vinyl, so it shows anything you might use as an adhesive. I think they use a large inkjet printer, so I was considering adding a graphic or a photo.

[hls30.com]

Tomo

Visit your local craft store(Hobby Lobby/Michaels/ACMoore, etc)-they have large inexpensive picture frames-if you aren't in a rush wait and watch for a sale...I bought a 26"x36" frame complete with lexan for less than half of what the lexan cost alone. I needed a 36x20, so I just cut it down The frame was $6 on sale I spent $2 on a scribe form lowes to trim the lexan, so for $8 plus tax and two hours between shopping and sewing up the modifications, I got a perfectly fitted frame and some small pieces of lexan for other projects...

Look for a frame the size or larger than you need, modify it if necessary, then treat the white Vinyl like a picture...

[26th-Z]

Tomo, you're right. If you try to put the vinyl behind the lexan, the adhesive will show. Have your vinyl dry-mounted to 1/4" foam core board and clip the board to your stand with office supply binder clips. You may want to remove one of the clip handles, the front facing one, and use enough clips, evenly spaced, to keep the foam core board secure.

Or

Dry mount your vinyl to 1/8" masonite or sealed stain-grade 1/8" plywood and through-bolt the panel to the lexan with evenly spaced cap screws or black anodized hex bolts or some other fancy hardware you can think of. If you use screws, make sure that all the screw slots align perpendicular to the lexan edge. With hex bolts, the alignment is less noticable.

[26th-Z]

Oh! You might want to dust off the printed side with baby powder or talcum powder so that the printing ink doesn't bond to the lexan face.

[72 OJ]

I had a sign made at a local print shop, it is 16'' by 14'', plenty room for car built info and 8 pics, laminated and held with very small suction cups on my rear hatch glass, so people walk around the car and see the info . No worries on wind or little ones moving the display ,when done with the event just remove and go .......had it done for 20 bucks.

Edited September 14, 2012 by 72 OJ

[TomoHawk]

I think some of the corrugated plastic sign board will come in useful. You can attach the vinyl to it and use whatever glue or tape you like around the edges and the entire sign is supported, and won't sag. It's also flexible like the Lexan, waterproof, and protects the vinyl from rain. Plus it's minimal and very lightweight, which was my goal.

[TomoHawk]

held with very small suction cups on my rear hatch glass, so people walk around the car and see the info

The tradition is to have any display on the ground in front or next to the car, so the sign needs to be on a support. Also, ZCCA rules require any display to be on an easel in front of the vehicle.

Edited September 14, 2012 by TomoHawk

[72 OJ]

The tradition is to have any display on the ground in front or next to the car, so the sign needs to be on a support. Also, ZCCA rules require any display to be on an easel in front of the vehicle.

At local car shows, the tradition is to let people see the car up close, so an easel can be an obstacle, some guys used them but wind is a factor and a pain in the a$$, rules from ZCCA mean nothing at this events.............Tom I will like to see pictures of your Z.....