Full Version: Need help identifying wood-like substrate.

From: Mr. Mike (MIKEA) [#1]
 27 May 2006
To: ALL

We're looking for a 1/2 inch thick white material that is similar to white painted wood. We found a competitor product that uses this material but we still aren't able to come up with name for it.

The material is solid white (inside and out). In taking the product apart, I dropped the material on a cement floor and it kindof "bounced" which I found surprising. It's much lighter weight than wood and still strong. I broke the piece of material in half (which was difficult - so the material is pretty strong) and the inside texture reminds me of sheet rock.

The material looks like it was cut with a band saw and the edges are kindof rough (it looks like a cut wood edge to me).

I've inquired about the material with several suppliers and the competitor and this is what I know (and any of it could be incorrect). . .
Competitor says:
Material does not contain PVC
Material is used often in the sign industry

Suppliers say:
It seems to be a lot like a PVC form board, yet the supplier hasn't ever seen it that "expanded" before (not sure what that means).

Anyone know of a substrate guru that I can send a sample of the material too and they might be able to identify it?

I've been trying to source this material for months with no luck and I'm getting desperate. :o) I think this would be a great wood substitute.

I know the competitor is out of Arizona, so I was thinking about finding sign suppliers in that area. I'm out of the Illinois and I checked with Midwest Sign Supply, but no luck. I don't really know of any other large sign supply companies in my area.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

From: RALLYGUY (RALLYGUY1) [#2]
 27 May 2006
To: Mr. Mike (MIKEA) [#1] 28 May 2006

My guess would have been expanded PVC when you described it....if this is different, IU have no idea what it could be. You might check with a plastics supply company like Midland plastics....They can be found at http://www.midlandplastics.com/


Let us know if you find a solution the the question.....

From: UncleSteve [#3]
 27 May 2006
To: Mr. Mike (MIKEA) [#1] 28 May 2006

Sounds like it could be the "new" imitation wood they use for decks and construction. It looks like wood and comes in many different colors and wood grain reproductions...

My son redid his deck and front steps using this and it really does look like wood...

Here is a good source/resource for this type of information. They are located in PA....

http://www.plasticlumberyard.com/

EDITED: 27 May 2006 by UNCLESTEVE

From: Mick [#4]
 27 May 2006
To: UncleSteve [#3] 27 May 2006

Steve
He said it was very light weight, my artificial wood deck is quite heavy. I would second the "expanded PVC" theory at this point.

From: UncleSteve [#5]
 27 May 2006
To: Mick [#4] 27 May 2006

I would have also except for the statement that it didn't contain pvc... Many of the imitiation woods are polythene (polyethelyne is probably what they meant) and is made from recycled soda bottles....

From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#6]
 27 May 2006
To: ALL

From the description, although the material I've seen, colorwise, is more a light yellow, than white, it sounds like a type of foam product, I've seen used to create signs, through the use of a 3-D routing system or possibly sandblasting.

Not sure what the material's called, or where to buy it.

Once painted, it would be very difficult to tell the difference between the foam product and wood.

From: Dave Jones (DAVERJ) [#7]
 27 May 2006
To: ALL

Might be HDU (high density urethane).

http://www.signweb.com/index.php/channel/8/id/630/

They say it comes in densities from 4 to 40 lb per cubic foot. It's aparently used in a lot of sandblasted dimensional signs.

From: RALLYGUY (RALLYGUY1) [#8]
 27 May 2006
To: Dave Jones (DAVERJ) [#7] 27 May 2006

I think we may have a winner ;) 

From: Puck (PUCKERBRUSH) [#9]
 29 May 2006
To: Mr. Mike (MIKEA) [#1] 29 May 2006

Mike,

You should be able to get that from

GEPolymers (unless they quit carrying it since they closed some of their places) http://www.gepolymershapes.com

or maybe

Denco (I use Idaho but they are out of Denver)

or try a supplier on this list closer to you:

http://www.voltarc.com/Sign_Distributors.htm##Illinois

Also if you can't locate what it is called if you send me a small piece I'll take it to my three sign supply houses and see if they can tell me what it is (that is if I don't know what it is after I see it). It might be a really high density foam board from what your describing, use it a lot to make overhead hanging signs for a hospital. (I can email you a picture of it if you want to see what it looks like).


Puck

EDITED: 29 May 2006 by PUCKERBRUSH

From: gravure (INFOGRAVE) [#10]
 21 Jun 2006
To: Mr. Mike (MIKEA) [#1] Unread

I know this response is late and you may have your answer. I think it might be intecel. This material is commonly used in the sign industry. I use it on a regular basis in my one of my sign shops. It is available in 4'x8' sheets from ny local sign supply wholesaler.

From: ACJ (LADYCUTTER) [#11]
 19 Apr 2007
To: Mr. Mike (MIKEA) [#1] Unread

Hi!

Did you ever find an answer to your white board question from May of 06? It sounds perfect for a project I've been asked about.

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