I just completed and installed this small but detailed sandblasted HDU (high density urethane) sign panel at Five Vines Wine Bar in San Juan Capistrano, Orange County, CA. It was the right solution for this location — the developer had specified this kind of sandblasted recessed wood-look grain finish for this tenant’s sign.

With the tile next to the doorway, we decided not to damage the tile when installing, which would happen with a thicker, heavier sign since we’d need to drill stud holes.

This foam material at the 3/4” thickness is ideal — very light weight. The sign was installed with 2-sided tape and silicon adhesive.

The tenant’s logo was raised, along with the lettering, from the recessed wood grain background. The logo detailing was hand painted with white oil-based enamel.

Here are some details about how it was done…

The detailed design needed to be transferred to the raised logo to be able to paint it. How would I do that? Well, I could attempt to project the design and trace it. Or, I could draw it out with the pen plotter and trace it using white transfer paper (available at craft and art stores like Michaels, etc).

Below — a couple of photos of that process…

Looking back, I should have set up a camera for video of the painting process (honestly, I don’t know how other sign painters can hold the camera with one hand and paint with the other… 🙄 ) Anyway, here is how the finished project looked.

Here is the final outcome — the sign installed.

You might be thinking about getting this kind of project done, Do you know where to start? I can tell you - contact me, Paul Borne (president of Big City Signs) to find out more.

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