New To Illustrator - Need Help!

[signaturesignsva]

I'm super green with this software, so I apologize if this seems so simple to some and I can't figure it out.

I have a logo provided by a customer in .ai format. I am going to cut it instead of print per customer request.

I'm trying to weld different portions together, by color. Every portion of the logo is made up of different small sections, so that when I cut it, there are lines EVERYWHERE! I have worked on this for hours, and am supposed to install this job on Saturday. Could anyone give me any advice?!?!?!

Thanks in advance!

 

[signaturesignsva]

Sorry

I'm using Adobe Illustrator CS5 - sorry, failed to mention that!

 

[soundhound]

go back to the original.
select all and under type convert to outlines.
select all.
under object, expand appearance, then expand all fill & stroke.

select all
go to pathfinder window and then click middle option on bottom row and expand.
select all
go to toolbox and in the fill & stroke box at the bottom make everything non-filled, and give it all a stroke of 1 pt in black.

Since I don't know what the graphic looks like, this is general... but should give you the idea... and with the graphic created above you should be able to cut what you need

 

[signaturesignsva]

Thank you so much!!!! What I have worked on for hours, took me like 2 seconds.

I really appreciate that!!!