metal coated signs

January 2019

United States Capitol Visitor Center – Days 1-6

2019-01-25T16:02:40-07:00January 25th, 2019|How we do it|

Project Overview Metal Facades (now Atlas Signs and Plaques) was contacted in December 2008 by the prestigious firm, Hadley Exhibits, of Buffalo New York and asked to bid on an exciting project using the LuminOre® metalizing process. The project turned out to be two rectangular frames 16 x 23 feet that Hadley was constructing from High-Density Polyurethane Foam (HDU). The same material that is the favorite of Atlas Signs and Plaques for custom handcrafted signs and plaques. Outer Frame, Unpacked and Ready for the Transformation The frame, quite massive, about 9 x 9 x 9 inches, and required metal coating on three of the four sides. Nestled within the foam frame is a smaller aluminum inner sub-frame meant to house 6 flat screen tv monitors and a large clock. This framework is about 17 feet long and 28 inches tall. Again, 2 of these. The plan is to [...]

United States Capitol Visitor Center – Days 7-10

2019-01-25T16:02:51-07:00January 25th, 2019|How we do it|

Readying and Applying Metal Patina Day 7: January 22, 2009. With the spray application of LuminOre® Bronze completed, the outer frame project is nearing the half-way point. The sprayed metal requires some time to cure and fully harden prior to the finishing steps. Despite the frigid temperatures, shop heat is left at 74 degrees overnight to aid the process. We can’t wait to see the gas bill for this month. During the cure process, the metal coating develops a bit of a sticky glaze on the outside which must be removed before patination and final finishing. Again, mostly hand work. We usually remove the glaze with a light abrasive blast, and this was no exception. Some of day 7 is spent sandblasting, but the remainder of our time is used to hand-tune the frame surface so we have a nice even metal base that will take the patina and give [...]

United States Capitol Visitor Center – Days 11-14

2019-01-25T16:02:58-07:00January 25th, 2019|Atlas Posts (All)|

Clear Coating the Outer Frame & Begin Inner Frame Packing in Process Day 11: January 26, 2009. Clear coating day for the outer foam frame. The final step prior to packing and shipping. Each of the 24 pieces of the outer frame for the US Capitol Visitor Center display is carried to a rolling cart, placed on a special set of jigs that our crew constructed from four by four lumber, and rolled to the spray booth area. The super-premium clear-coat is mixed and poured into the spray gun. Then, two coats applied to each piece, and cart moved to the drying area for curing. Although a practiced hand, and quality equipment are necessary to apply the top coat, this is a relatively easy step that does not require grueling hand-work . Best of all, it means that the piece is done and, after curing, ready to crate [...]

The Craftsman Touch Collection, Featuring Arts and Crafts Style Plaques

2019-01-29T11:59:32-07:00January 25th, 2019|Address & Number Plaques|

Vertical Poppy Address Plaque - Brass   Introducing the new Craftsman Touch Collection from Atlas Signs and Plaques. The Craftsman Sign and Plaque Collection “brings it home” with a complete and coordinated signage collection for your Arts and Crafts, Craftsman, Ranch, Bungalow, Prairie, or Mid-Century Style house. And not just Address Plaques. But a place to find every imaginable sign that a home requires. Everything from Arts and Crafts Style “No Soliciting” signs to Craftsman Style “Beware of Dog” plaques, to Frank Lloyd Wright inspired “Welcome” Plaques, to Mission Style “Business” Plaques. Acorn Address Plaque   Atlas Signs and Plaques has added new styles and created variations on our time tested designs to compliment architecture as diverse as Morris, Wright, Stickley, MacIntosh, Greene and Greene, Eames, Aalto, Ellis, Dryden, and Hapgood. Atlas can create matching No Soliciting Signs, Private Drive Signs, Deliveries in Back Sign, or [...]

Looking Back At The United States Capitol Visitor Center

2019-01-29T12:25:14-07:00January 24th, 2019|How we do it|

United States Capitol Visitor Center Project   When Atlas Signs and Plaques (formerly Metal Facades) completes projects destined for interesting places, we ask our clients, “if possible, can you send us photos of the installation or completed project”. We were particularly interested in seeing the installation process of the two large frames that were metal coated for our client, Hadley Exhibits of Buffalo NY, and destined for each end of the United States Capitol Visitor Center (CVC). The Capitol Visitor Center has won major design awards and will be seen by 4 million visitors each year. Mr. Norbert Witkowski, Production Coordinator for Hadley was kind enough to send some photos of the installation process and the page above from Event Design. The frames were originally to be cast bronze, but the hollow limestone walls couldn’t handle the weight. So unknown to most, the 17 x 23 foot frames [...]

The French Have It And Now You Can Get It

2019-01-29T12:17:06-07:00January 24th, 2019|Address & Number Plaques|

Getting Frenchy at Atlas Signs and Plaques   French architecture is among the richest and most interesting the world has ever known. The origins of French architecture can be traced back to the Stone Age. Hmmm, I am imagining an address plaque from that time… Needless to say, French architecture and design will always be an interesting topic and one we have embraced a bit with our address and name plaques. Fleur-de-Lis Arch Plaque Stainless Steel Our Fleur-de-Lis Address Number Plaque brings a rich sense of the past to your home. The Fleur-de-Lis, translates as Flower of the Lily and is steeped in history. From France to England, to Florence, to Religious Symbolism, the Fleur-de-Lys has represented a virtuous force for good. French Country, French decor, French Food. It’s all wonderful. Also shown above in our very French Collage photo are the oval plaques with a [...]

Do Fonts Talk – The Writing’s on the Wall

2019-01-29T12:12:34-07:00January 24th, 2019|Address & Number Plaques|

Impact Font Do fonts speak? Do fonts convey a message without the necessity of words? Can fonts define an era? Is it possible for fonts to set a mood? Do fonts have personality? The answer is yes and more to all of the above. Additionally, typefaces and fonts can serve as an iconic identity for a large company or even an entire nation. Think about the fonts used to define Coke, Walmart, GM, or Martha Stewart. The fonts for these and other corporations are uniform throughout buildings, advertising, publications, and letterheads, presenting a uniform and consistent identity to far flung assets and personnel. The fonts can so much define the company that when a total organizational remake is in order, logos and fonts are changed giving a whole new look and feel to the firm. Is it reaching to say that a font can define a country? Pull [...]

Religious Plaques & Wall Hangings

2019-01-29T12:08:01-07:00January 23rd, 2019|Custom Signs|

Religious Dedication Plaque - Bronze   Atlas Signs and Plaques makes beautiful religious plaques and wall hangings for Churches, Synagogues, and Cathedrals. These custom exterior or interior signs, crucifixes, and ornamental wall hangings add an elegant, handcrafted look to compliment any kind of architecture. Nueva Dedication Plaque - Pewter From the modern day, open concept style to the Old World historical stone structures, we always keep the architectural integrity of the building in mind, creating special religious plaques that will last decades. Below we’ve included pictures of Religious dedication plaques. Atlas signs are made with an HDU substrate; a high density urethane base that is impact resistant and has been used in the commercial signage industries for decades. Light weight, and extremely durable the HDU is coated with LuminOre®. This is a patented metal coating that is chemically bonded to the HDU. It will not chip, [...]

How To Apply Finishes To HDU Or HDP Foam Projects

2019-01-29T12:26:48-07:00January 23rd, 2019|How we do it|

HDU Foam Ready for the Finish   The Finish Completes the Project High-Density Urethane (HDU) and High-Density Polyurethane (HDP) (different names for the same basic product) is a wonderful material for hand carving, shaping, and machining. Having a closed cell structure, an even consistency and no grain make it a dream to work with whether making prototypes for casting, or toys for the grandchildren. It cuts effortlessly with all kinds of saws and rotary tools, and, because it is without grain, is much safer than wood for hand carving. Enamel on Background of Aluminum Coated HDU   When completed, HDU foam is easily finished with readily available paints, stains, and dyes making it highly desirable as a medium for the craft person or hobbyist. It is utilized extensively in the sign industry because it is easily worked, environmentally friendly, non-toxic, and impervious to rot, petroleum, water, [...]

How to Patina, Part II

2019-01-22T10:28:07-07:00January 21st, 2019|How we do it|

How We Do It We look forward to the way metal ages over time, but waiting years for this weathering process is not always the most practical way to enjoy the coloration changes. Patination is the art of applying coloration to metals. It can be done to add a sense of mood and drama to an object, to enhance and highlight detail or to accelerate the aging process. The patinator can utilize compounds to hasten the natural process or can add other patina colors such as blue, red, or black. VFW Plaque Detail Artists have been using patina since, least the 1800s. Sculptor, Auguste Rodin used patinas on many of his bronze pieces. Likewise American Western Artist Frederick Remington, used patinas on his 22 famous statues depicting Cowboy and Western American life. Atlas with the Weight of the World In addition to the naturally occurring browns [...]

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