The most often question I get asked is why we use exclusively 30 lb (or higher) density Precision Board in our shop. The answer is simple. Our decision was based on real world experience. It’s all we keep in stock.
30 lb Density HDU is not common. Many suppliers are reluctant to stock it for that reason. But I believe it well worth the effort to get it in. It is so much stronger than lighter weight HDU’s. It is much more resistant to dents, hail, birds pecking it, flying rocks or golf balls and just about anything else that might harm our signs and dimensional projects. There is nothing more frustrating than working on a project for hours and hours only to bump it accidentally, making a repair instantly necessary. Repairs take time and cost money. That’s profits! To much to take a chance in my view.
Heavier density HDU boards hold detail well – much better than lower density boards. And I LOVE detail in our work. Textures route beautifully in 30 lb Precision Board and I can run our router just as quickly as the lighter weight boards. Working it by hand does require a little more effort. I would argue that the extra investment of the heavier weight board more than offsets the cost of labor saved when it comes to priming and painting the signs.
Heavier density Precision Board can actually save you money. The lighter boards take time to apply multiple coats of primer. Many folks spend a lot of time sanding to get things smooth as well. This Takes time and we all know time equals money. With the higher density we need only one coat of primer at most to make things very smooth. That saves time and we all know time equals money.
It’s easy to sell too. REAL EASY. I keep samples of 15, 18 and 20 lb Precision Board handy in my sales area. When a customer is talking about a sign I’ll grab one of the lighter weight samples and run my finger nail into it leaving a nasty groove. Then I’ll hand my customer a sample of the 30 or 40 lb board which I also keep handy and ask them to do the same. They can’t make a mark. I explain that this material certainly costs more but is worth the investment for obvious reasons. It’s always an instant sale.
The samples in the picture below say a lot. The 30 lb board sample is a very old one, yellowed with age. It has a few welding burns but is otherwise unmarked. because it is so tough. The 40 lb sample underneath is also pristine. The two lighter weight samples (15 and 20 lb) have plenty of grooves from my fingernail tests in front of customers.
Most of all I love the peace of mind 30 lb Precision Board offers.
-dan
