Suggestions Question for those in the Florida Sun

[Medina Signs]

I have a job to find a solution to the following -
This job is in Southern Florida,

I need to make a (Black) grid on the top of a poly-carbonate roofing panel -

The poly carbonate panel is about 2 inches thick and it will expand and contract. The customer thinks that a printed grid line with a clear lamination on top will survive in the sun for a period of 10 years.
I don't think it will.
I have suggested using a premium black vinyl cast with either a clear vinyl laminate or Matthews clear on top.

Anybody have any suggestions or experience in this, I would love to hear what you have to say.

Thanks,

 

[myront]

We use what we call "hood laminate" (3M 8528). It helps for vinyl wraps on horizontal surfaces i.e. hoods. 10 years? Don't know about that. I wouldn't guarantee anything for that long.

 

[Johnny Best]

Black, on the roof, South Florida. You would be lucky at 3 years. Even black vinyl would hold up for 5 years if lucky.

 

[Medina Signs]

We use what we call "hood laminate" (3M 8528). It helps for vinyl wraps on horizontal surfaces i.e. hoods. 10 years? Don't know about that. I wouldn't guarantee anything for that long.

Thanks Myront -

I will look it up - I assume it is made in black and that there is an overlam product for it - I hope

 

[Medina Signs]

Black, on the roof, South Florida. You would be lucky at 3 years. Even black vinyl would hold up for 5 years if lucky.

Hi Johnny,

I think you are replying about printed ink - any thoughts on the 3M 8528??

 

[Moze]

If they want it to last that long, maybe just use painted polycarbonate and tape-mount it?

 

[Medina Signs]

Thanks Myront -

I will look it up - I assume it is made in black and that there is an overlam product for it - I hope

Just looked it up - it is the overlam - thanks

 

[Medina Signs]

If they want it to last that long, maybe just use painted polycarbonate and tape-mount it?

The thought had crossed my mind - maybe like an .060 - paint it black - VHB?

 

[Medina Signs]

Hi Johnny,

I think you are replying about printed ink - any thoughts on the 3M 8528??

Nevermind - I looked up the overlam

 

[Gino]

Outta curiosity, what's the overall size of the grid you need to put up there ??

 

[Medina Signs]

This is what it looks like -

 

[Gino]

That's so small, why not tape it off and use some industrial grade oil based paint and go to it ?? Don't forget to wear a hat.

 

[Notarealsignguy]

Is it supposed to simulate muntins? Get a 4x8 sheet of black 040 aluminum, shear the strips and adhere them to the glass somehow. That's all they are on regular single pane aluminum windows.

 

[Medina Signs]

That's so small, why not tape it off and use some industrial grade oil based paint and go to it ?? Don't forget to wear a hat.

That could work too - need to check that the paint would be compatible with the poly car - Don't need a hat we would do it here in Ohio

 

[Medina Signs]

Is it supposed to simulate muntins? Get a 4x8 sheet of black 040 aluminum, shear the strips and adhere them to the glass somehow. That's all they are on regular single pane aluminum windows.

What about the adhesive - This whole job has me worried

 

[Notarealsignguy]

Some sort of black marine adhesive like bostik 940 applied to the inside so you don't see the back of it?

 

[Johnny Best]

Clear lexan with second surface black oil base paint. Lexan yellows from sunlight after a few years in South Florida.

 

[JBurton]

Get a 4x8 sheet of black 040 aluminum, shear the strips and adhere them to the glass somehow.

What do you do with the rest of the sheet? I'd route the shape out of the whole sheet and do full coverage with 3m 467mp, it'll keep water from getting trapped and freezing, but it's also got terrific holding power. 2" poly isn't going to expand that much.
But straight up 3m 7725 black would be the way to go. It won't last 10 years, but not much will these days...

 

[Johnny Best]

What do you do with the rest of the sheet? I'd route the shape out of the whole sheet and do full coverage with 3m 467mp, it'll keep water from getting trapped and freezing, but it's also got terrific holding power. 2" poly isn't going to expand that much.
But straight up 3m 7725 black would be the way to go. It won't last 10 years, but not much will these days...

Freezing! This is going to South Florida. Freeze is rare and gone as soon as sun comes, up in morning. Check your AI buddy for info.

 

[JBurton]

Freezing! This is going to South Florida. Freeze is rare and gone as soon as sun comes, up in morning. Check your AI buddy for info.

Oh right, I meant to throw something snarky in there about it being unnecessary for freezing purposes, glad you caught me!
But really, either adhesive or tape, it'll need full coverage or you'll eventually be staring up at dirty lines around tape bits or glue streaks.