I need some advice.
Quick version: How to best adhere these stickers to concrete?!
Longer version:
In trying to figure out how to best paint my house numbers on the curb, I came across this custom reflective decal service by StreetGlo.net intended for boats.
I really wanted reflective numbers, and in researching other retroreflective methods, it sounds like the only other decent option is glass beads sprinkled in paint. In researching that, it sounds like it is hard to get to look decent because it is hard to get an even coating.
So I decided to go for it. I ordered up my numbers (Arial Rounded MT Bold in 4" font, FWIW) in white. This is pretty much a perfect replacement for the numbers that are there.
Originally I figured I'd get some cement paint, like that you use to seal your garage floor, but it turns out Lowes' only has grey and I really wanted a very dark color for contrast. Being short on time, I decided to go with something I could get there. I grabbed some interior/exterior primer and some satin black enamel.
So, today I've primed and put a coat of black on a rectangle that provides a 1" border around the numbers. If needed, I'll do another coat of black to get good coverage.
Ok, so now the issue. How do I make sure the decals stick well to painted enamel? The concern is the concrete is rough and even though there is a fresh coat of heavy duty paint on it, the roughness might cause it not to stick well.
I should mention a couple more details. The numbers are cut out of the material - that is to say, the decal is *just* the numbers, it doesn't include a border. Also, I peeled the backing away a little bit to peak at the stick-side and it is all silvery. I think it is basically the same material of the numbers that you can get at the hardware store -- something like this , with the exception that it is just the number and no backing (and I picked white letters, not black). So, this means it is slightly thin material. The curb is one of those curved ones, so the surface the stickers will be applied to is curved and will take at least some traffic.
Here are the thoughts I have:
1) Just stick it on and hope.
2) Try to adhere it with something like clear silicon caulk. I don't know if this would stick or not.
3) Try to adhere it with something like clear epoxy. I don't know if this would stick either.
4) Try to smooth out the surface somehow. Not sure how to best to this in a sturdy way.
Thoughts?
Thanks!
-john
Quick version: How to best adhere these stickers to concrete?!
Longer version:
In trying to figure out how to best paint my house numbers on the curb, I came across this custom reflective decal service by StreetGlo.net intended for boats.
I really wanted reflective numbers, and in researching other retroreflective methods, it sounds like the only other decent option is glass beads sprinkled in paint. In researching that, it sounds like it is hard to get to look decent because it is hard to get an even coating.
So I decided to go for it. I ordered up my numbers (Arial Rounded MT Bold in 4" font, FWIW) in white. This is pretty much a perfect replacement for the numbers that are there.
Originally I figured I'd get some cement paint, like that you use to seal your garage floor, but it turns out Lowes' only has grey and I really wanted a very dark color for contrast. Being short on time, I decided to go with something I could get there. I grabbed some interior/exterior primer and some satin black enamel.
So, today I've primed and put a coat of black on a rectangle that provides a 1" border around the numbers. If needed, I'll do another coat of black to get good coverage.
Ok, so now the issue. How do I make sure the decals stick well to painted enamel? The concern is the concrete is rough and even though there is a fresh coat of heavy duty paint on it, the roughness might cause it not to stick well.
I should mention a couple more details. The numbers are cut out of the material - that is to say, the decal is *just* the numbers, it doesn't include a border. Also, I peeled the backing away a little bit to peak at the stick-side and it is all silvery. I think it is basically the same material of the numbers that you can get at the hardware store -- something like this , with the exception that it is just the number and no backing (and I picked white letters, not black). So, this means it is slightly thin material. The curb is one of those curved ones, so the surface the stickers will be applied to is curved and will take at least some traffic.
Here are the thoughts I have:
1) Just stick it on and hope.
2) Try to adhere it with something like clear silicon caulk. I don't know if this would stick or not.
3) Try to adhere it with something like clear epoxy. I don't know if this would stick either.
4) Try to smooth out the surface somehow. Not sure how to best to this in a sturdy way.
Thoughts?
Thanks!
-john