Reflective Lettering

[Henri Monnier]

A customer has requested several signs, and is interested in reflective lettering (not vinyl). It looks like glass beads are the way to go, but after reading various solutions, I thought asking here would provide a good proven solution. I'm interested in both raised letter, and carved (V bit) styles.
Thanks,
Henri

[Rcnewcomb]

reflective lettering (not vinyl)

Does that rule out Scotchlite reflective sign vinyl?

[Henri Monnier]

Rcnewcomb,
Yes it does. That is what they had before, they claim. The signs lasted about 5 years, then the material began to come loose, and started to break off. They are in the sun, almost 100%. I read about using the glass beads, and thought that might be an alternative.
Henri

[ohiolyons]

ia this what you are talking about?

https://www.amazon.com/Reflective-Pavem ... 2433069824

[Henri Monnier]

ohiolyons,
Yes it is. I have read thru the literature, is it as good as they claim? It looks like you just apply some exterior white acrylic, and while wet, dump the beads on it, and let it dry, then just dump the excess off. Sounds simple, but is it effective?
Henri

[larrybadgett]

Pavement marking beads. They must be submerged the correct depth and must mot roll when applied covering the top surface of the bead.

[ohiolyons]

I don't know, I'm looking to be educated.

Bid on a job and I was going to send a dxf of lettering to someone who would have cut reflective vinyl.

Didn't get job, but I'm always looking for new techniques/ideas to file away.

So Woodchip are you saying the surface must be flat so the beads don't roll while waiting for the epoxy to dry?

Is there a website you can recommend? It sounds like you have used this material before.

[Jim_in_PA]

The durability of any coating you can put on is not likely going to match the better 3M grade of reflective vinyl material according to my sign-maker friends in an outdoor situation. There's a reason this stuff is ubiquitous for road signage.