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Electric Tiki sign: need help! |
Exoticat
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Feb 08, 2003
Posts: 481
From: Hutikihi Island ~ near Seattle
|  Posted: 2004-04-20 12:54 am Permalink
Hello! I have a two-part question pertaining to the following Tiki Sign and would appreciate any help you can give me.
Part I:
I love this sign with the exception of the face of the tiki...it's a bit cheesy for my taste. I want to change it and put my own design on it. It looks like the design is printed onto it...is there some type of remover that I can use that won't destroy the green plastic but will remove the original design?
My other option with it is to completely remove its plastic insert and replace it with a new one. I actually did this before when I customized another light box and had to cut it into the shape of an oval. I used a hand-tool for this and not an electric one and it wasn't that fun. If I have to go this route which tool would be the best to use? I've been wanting a fancy router for some time but haven't gotten one yet.
Part II:
This sign is so cool because it's like an old Tiki Motor Hotel sign. The word "TIKI" lights up with each individual letter then it flashes the entire word TIKI at the end. The movement is very fast. However, my Tiki Room has more of a mellow feel to it and the sign is a bit neurotic for full-time usage. Is there any way I can change the wiring so that I have both options? I know very little about wiring. I suppose I could take it into the Home Depot and ask them. It won't be the first bizarre question I've asked them.
~ Thanks! 
[ This Message was edited by: exoticat on 2004-04-23 14:35 ]
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Benzart
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jan 09, 2004
Posts: 10309
From: Port Saint Lucie, Florida
| Posted: 2004-04-20 06:13 am Permalink
I'm not sure how it is constructed, but if at all possible I would remove the existing plastic and save it for future reconstruction, then put in my own creation. Someday the sign may be worth more in this original state..
The electrical should not be too difficult. a couple wires and a bypass switch to go to Full on, or Sequential,blinkie on.
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McDougall
Tiki Socialite
Joined: May 02, 2003
Posts: 489
From: Ft. Lauderdale, FL
| Posted: 2004-04-20 09:05 am Permalink
I like the Tiki, please don't hurt him.
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Chongolio
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Oct 02, 2002
Posts: 2765
From: The Coast of Kauai
| Posted: 2004-04-20 10:27 am Permalink
My experience with cutting that thin acryllic plastic (if that is what I think it is) is that it chips very easily. If you have to use a saw, use a very fine toothed blade. I find that a router and sander or dremmel with a sanding barrel always works best with the least amount of chipping. Also, most paint removers are gnarly on plastic. The ones that arent involve some scraping and you may end up scratching up your surface. It almost looks like it has a texture and is not a smooth surface.
I may have a scrap piece of that acryllic plastic in my shop. Let me know what size that tiki is if you are interested in trying to cut out a new piece.
Sorry but my electricity skills are a bit rusty and without seeing the circuit, I would hate to give out ill advice that could leave your tiki sign in a smoking melted mess.
Benzart brings up a good point too about saving the original pieces and the bypass wiring.
Personally, I dont think the tiki looks all that bad either.
Good luck.
Chongolio
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[ This Message was edited by: Chongolio on 2004-04-20 10:30 ]
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Unga Bunga
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jun 06, 2003
Posts: 5738
From: CaliTikifornia
| Posted: 2004-04-20 12:11 pm Permalink
Ditto, I wouldn't touch it.
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mattfink
Tiki Socialite
Joined: May 05, 2003
Posts: 579
From: Detroit
| Posted: 2004-04-20 1:26 pm Permalink
...I'd start by using a Remington 12 guage shotgun and blowing a hole right through the middle....if anything was left afterward, I'd have it stuffed and mounted by a professional....
seriously? I think it looks fine the way it is....
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The Ragin' Rarotongan
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Mar 26, 2004
Posts: 282
From: Now, Ocala Florida
| Posted: 2004-04-21 12:37 pm Permalink
i wouldn't do anything to the sign, i think it's bad ass the way it is. if you don't like it you could always send it to my place in ft lauderdale, i promise it would have a great home! lol, just kidding, but seriously, it's really cool.
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motiki
Tiki Centralite
Joined: Feb 21, 2004
Posts: 67
From: New Joisey
| Posted: 2004-04-21 3:16 pm Permalink
Just my opinion, but I wouldn't change it. It's a classic and worth quite a bit as is!
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mriddle
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Sep 06, 2003
Posts: 119
From: The Valley, like totally!
| Posted: 2004-04-21 4:55 pm Permalink
OK, your sign looks most likely to be made from a resin coated fiberglass called Synskin by some companies (http://www.tapplastics.com/shop/product.php?pid=241&)).
This is the same stuff that some retro lampshades are made out of. It looks kind of like rice paper but is more plastic in feel. You can make your own, but it is messy and the chemicals are toxic. You might try some lamp shade companies, they might be able to sell you a "sheet" of the stuff you can paint on. Try Moon Shine Shade company (http://www.moonshineshades.com)
Hope this helps...somewhat.
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Humuhumu
Grand Member (5 years) 
Joined: Aug 22, 2002
Posts: 3536
From: San Francisco
| Posted: 2004-04-21 4:57 pm Permalink
Trust your instincts. I think that tiki looks like a slug with a headcold. Since we're in the minority, keep the original in good shape, but I think you'd do well to replace it with something tiki-er.
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Tiki Bird
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Sep 25, 2003
Posts: 850
From: Cerritos, Ca.
| Posted: 2004-04-21 5:09 pm Permalink
Keep it the way it is!
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Exoticat
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Feb 08, 2003
Posts: 481
From: Hutikihi Island ~ near Seattle
| Posted: 2004-04-21 9:02 pm Permalink
Hello! Thanks for all the input. I have decided since I have a huge list of things to do in the Tiki Room that I will keep it as it is for now (and possibly always)...i think the tiki face is already growing on me slightly.
I put it on the wall behind the go-go cage and it actually looks ok there. I would still like to have the steady-burning versus flashing tiki option though.
While I was down in the Tiki Room I discovered the sign wasn't as distracting as I previously thought. However, if I snuggle in with a good DVD, it'll have to go off.
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McDougall
Tiki Socialite
Joined: May 02, 2003
Posts: 489
From: Ft. Lauderdale, FL
| Posted: 2004-04-21 9:12 pm Permalink
I feel good knowing he's safe.
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docwoods
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Feb 29, 2004
Posts: 595
From: outside the windy city
| Posted: 2004-04-22 3:07 pm Permalink
Exoticat,do you really have a go-go cage?How great is that?! Absolutely hysterical-please post some pics.
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Unga Bunga
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jun 06, 2003
Posts: 5738
From: CaliTikifornia
| Posted: 2004-04-22 3:16 pm Permalink
Quote:
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On 2004-04-22 15:07, docwoods wrote:
Exoticat,do you really have a go-go cage?How great is that?! Absolutely hysterical-please post some pics.
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go-go cage pics! go-go cage pics! I'm koo koo for go-go cage pics! (being used of coarse)
Gald to hear your not going to change it.
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