Filling in a distination sign.

Barn Owl · March 05, 2007, 10:27:45 PM

I think I am going to fill in my destination sign. The glass is damaged and the rubber seal has gone bad. Any ideas on what would be the best way to do it? I don't know if I want to leave a small indentation to keep an outline of the old sign, or just smooth the whole thing over. How did you all do yours?

Laryn

grantgoold · March 05, 2007, 10:35:29 PM

In a fishbowl I had in a previous life, we covered the destination sign with a piece of polished aluminum and then riveted the piece in place. It looked very clean and kept the leaks out. You might even consider having the name of your bus engraved on the piece before application.

Good luck.

Grant

Buffalo SpaceShip · March 05, 2007, 10:48:45 PM

We love our destination scroll. It came with Blue Velvet... and we kept it for The SpaceShip. It's got a bunch of clever sayings on it: http://www.thefamilybus.net/destination/

Anyways, before you fill yours in... think of the possibilities.

Brian

Kristinsgrandpa · March 06, 2007, 07:06:20 AM

I filled mine in, it really looks nice now.

I used a piece of plastic/fiberboard cut to the dimensions of the hole for filler and fiberglassed the inside and outside, then sanded smooth and painted. Its very strong and, in my opinion, looks a lot better.

I used about 6 layers of thick, woven boat cloth with a top layer of veil which gave a smooth outer surface, and overlapped multiple layers of 4" wide strips of the boat cloth to reinforce the joint on the inside.

Ed

roadrunnertex · March 06, 2007, 07:51:17 AM

Any good automotive glass shop has the rubber seal and can cut the Lexan to fit the destination sign window.
That is what I did to my PD4104 when I first bought it.
jlv

Chaz · March 06, 2007, 07:56:19 AM

The previous own of my 4108 just painted it, but I scaped it off. I like it!!!! I'm going to be putting some fun sayings on it also.
Think about it!!!!!!!!!!!

Chaz

RJ · March 06, 2007, 08:02:40 AM

Larry -

If your coach still has the mechanism and roll sign, I'd vote with Brian and JLV - leave it in and get the glass/rubber fixed. Besides a competent glass shop, Luke should also have the rubber - might even have a used glass, too. 1-888-262-2434 between 9-5 Eastern, M-F.

You can have fun with folk using the sign. . . and depending what's on the scroll, it might even save you some $$!!

Chaz -

Be sure to include "THISAWAY" and "THATAWAY" along with your other sayings!!

FWIW & HTH. . .

John Z · March 06, 2007, 08:36:24 AM

When i bought my 4104 the roll mechanism was missing. Someone had just painted the window white and then lettered it with the bus name. I have often wished that the original mechanism was still there,,, so i guess i would say leave it in and just make it watertight. If you do remove it, and it will work in an '04, get ahold of me, i may be interested in buying it.

RJ · March 06, 2007, 08:53:40 AM

JohnZ -

On the 4106 and later GMCs, the roll sign mechanism mounts to the destination sign access door. Not sure if they're interchageable with the 4104. Maybe Luke would know? If so, you should be able to find one easily - probably a whole lot easier than an OEM RF corner clearance lamp lens!!

FWIW & HTH. . .

Barn Owl · March 06, 2007, 09:13:12 AM

Where do you get the custom scrolls for the signs? How much are they?

John Z · March 06, 2007, 09:25:18 AM

Hey Russ, i think i would have to cobble up some sort of mount system. I have not seen a stock 4104 to see what the front looks like, but i am sure my coach has a interior front out of some other vehichle mounted up there as it is wood grain finish, and i just can't imagine that the old greyhounds and trailways buses were running around the country with these in them. So i take it you are looking for lenses? Good luck with that - i tried to find some glass ones for the Michigan marker lamps, but had not luck the last time around.

Runcutter · March 06, 2007, 04:45:20 PM

Another vote for keeping the destination sign, that's what I did.

Interesting timing on the post - I just got an email from my supplier that my new destination sign shipped today. I asked them for permission to post the company name, since I don't know how interested they are in single signs (I'm in the industry, and have dealt with them on fleet purchases). I also suggested that they check out this topic, and register and post directly if they're interested in the business. Before contacting them, I priced the work at Kinko's sign shop, price was totally unreasonable. Next, one of those next-day sign and banner places, they pretty much understood what I wanted, and the price wasn't unreasonable. those were backups for what I really wanted, and original destination sign done right, although I don't know of any transit systems that use "NOWHERE VIA SUBWAY" The price was quite reasonable, but again I don't want to insert myself in case this was partially a favor for a former customer.

If I get their permission, I'll post more details.

I included the route I grew up on, and some inside jokes for New England railfans - since my goal is to have fun with the 4107, this is just another way to have some fun. Since they made the sign that came with the coach (dated 1964, so it was probably originally in a 4106, I can just tape the new sign to the old sign, the only difference is that the new sign will be 40+ years cleaner.

I'm teaching a scheduling course in Michigan this week, so available time may limit my internet access - it may be a couple of days before I hear back from them and can follow up.

Arthur

roadrunnertex · March 06, 2007, 05:52:01 PM

Where do you get the custom scrolls for the signs? How much are they?

Transign Inc.
3777 Airport Road
Waterford MI 48329
248-623-6400
Give these folks a call they make the destination signs for the GMC and MCI coaches.
jlv

Runcutter · March 06, 2007, 05:59:06 PM

And fine work they do, too, with a very reasonable price.

Arthur

Barn Owl · March 06, 2007, 09:16:32 PM

Well you guys are complicating things for me. Now I am leaning towards keeping it. This is what I currently have to deal with: The PO broke the glass and put plexi-glass back in the hole. It is now deteriorated and needs to be replaced along with the gasket because water is leaking in and causing the wood cabinet to rot. The scroll and the roller mechanisms are missing, but I do have access to one of unknown condition if I need it. I don't know at this time if I can even put it back in because I don't know if the PO changed anything. Below is a photo I took earlier today. Another question: Are the signs lighted? Thanks for all of your help.

Laryn