A question about plastic/plexiglass?

[07classic]

So this is my question, I have a large sticker collection (car parts and union stickers) and I want to mount them on something. I was thinking about putting them on sheets of some kind of clear plastic/plexiglass and mount them on the wall, but i don't know what type to buy. I know nothing about this stuff so if somebody could teach me about what i should use that would be great. Thanks.

 

[e-tek]

It's a good idea, but Plexiglass is damn expensive! Not sure what else is out ther as far as clear plastic is concerned...does it have to be clear?

 

[Red Green]

For our race cars we use Lexan or Plexiglass for the windshields. I forget what it is called but Lowe's sells some stuff that is a clear plastic but it is quite brittle it is cheap and would work for what you are trying to do.

 

[Torque1st]

The home box stores sell plastic glazing sheets.

 

[e-tek]

The home box stores sell plastic glazing sheets.

That's where I was looking for some 'generic' plexiglass - and it was EXPENSIVE! (Like $60 for a 4x5 sheet)

 

[07classic]

Hi, thanks for the response so far. (WOW) I have been looking at plexiglass and it is very expensive, I was hoping to find something a lot cheaper. I was wanting to find something clear so i can stick the stickers that go on the inside of glass on the back side of it. Thnaks again.

 

[baneonrt]

How big were you looking for?

There is a Tap Plastics local to me so I usually just go to their shop when I need something.

http://www.tapplastics.com/shop/product.php?pid=334&

Steve

 

[jake00]

how about a piece of glass?

 

[Stick Figure]

First go Lexan over plexi it is easier to work with and doesn't seem to scratch as easy. The other thing is when cleaning it use a cleaner designed for plastic like the stuff they sell for laptop screens. As far as buying the lexan go to a place that specializes in it. You might be able to get a deal on an odd size that was cut wrong or something. Lowes and HD want way to much. Other option would be to make friends w/ a custom stereo installer, they may be able to get you a piece when they do an order.

 

[Torque1st]

That's where I was looking for some 'generic' plexiglass - and it was EXPENSIVE! (Like $60 for a 4x5 sheet)

I haven't bought any in quite some time. The price varies widely by thickness. The stuff I found in there before was just acrylic (generic plexiglass). They sell it for replacement use in storm doors. They don't even sell glass anymore. For the good stuff like thick Plexiglass (acrylic) or Lexan (polycarbonate) I go to the local plastic distributors. Some of the glass shops carry plastic also. Just shop around for price. Remember acrylic is brittle, polycarbonate is tough. Both of them scratch easily but the acrylic is slightly more scratch resistant. Some places may have polystyrene which is very brittle. Anything made of plastic is made of oil and will be priced accordingly.

 

[dragracer98]

Okay here is your solution. Go to Walmart or a similar store and buy you some poster frames. Get the ones that come with the Plexiglass. Mount your stickers on the board that comes with it, not to the glass itself. Use 2-sided tape and this way you can remove the stickers later if necessary without any damage. They will be behind the clear Plexiglass and will this will keep dirt and dust off of them. You can always move the stickers around later if you get tired of the way they look. Most poster frames come with a hook on the back for hanging on the wall. They come in different sizes and the last one I bought was 27" x 39". I think it was $10 or so.

 

[Jack Olsen]

If your plan is to mount the plexiglass on something smooth and non-porous (like metal cabinets or toolboxes -- and you're worried about damage to those surfaces), then another inexpensive option is to ditch the plexiglass altogether and use the adhesive-backed contact paper you can buy at any hardware or drug store. I've used the stuff for paint protection on my race car, and the windshield visor piece has been there for years, through rain and sun, without peeling or bubbling. It comes off easy without any residue to clean (although WD40 is good for that, if the occasion arises).

Gratuitous race car picutres to follow:

That's black contact paper on the front hood and rear flares.

Fewer decals for day-to-day use.

If you're putting your decals on wood or drywall, then the adhesive-backed stuff isn't going to work.

 

[Ennco Bryce]

My company works with acrylic/plexi all of the time, and even when buying in bulk it's expensive. The idea posted with using the thin plexi in cheap picture frames is great! I'm not sure if you have an IKEA up there but it would also be cheap there. Otherwise, I would go to a glass company and try to find a scrap piece. As for mounting it, go to Home Depot or the like and get the mirror mounts with a screw and the little piece of L shaped plastic. If done right they are pretty easy to mount and remount. If you do end up with acrylic and need some fab help let me know and I can point you in the right direction.

 

[Steevo]

You can buy "poster frames" at any Aaron Brothers, Michael's, or many other craft/framing places. They come in sizes up to about 32"x40", and have a thin metal frame with a clear plastic sheet instead of glass. You can stick your stickers on the "glass", and you can use any color backing you want inside behind the glass, or just spray-paint the cardboard backing to match/compliment your garage. That would give you nice, neat framed areas for the stickers, and customizable background colors that you can change any time without peeling off any stickers.

 

[rieferman]

On craigs list, or just driving around, I see people getting rid of single pane windows with grids all the time (I found some where the glass was bubbling with age!). Clean up the frames and grids, paint to taste, and you have a neat way to display your collection (I plan to use them as picture frames).

 

[tcianci]

How about some serious dumpster diving? Look around for someone tossing an old full view type storm door. It will yield you a piece of framed tempered glass about 2 1/2 feet by 6 feet for free.

 

[rsanter]

wish you were closer, I have several sheets of the stuff

I like the picture frame idea, but I would do it a bit different
get a piece of colored material that is what you want. perhaps some cloth material that is checkerboard and use that for your backing.
use a little double sided tape to hold the sticker where you want it and then assemble the frame with the stickers behind the glass(plastic).
if you ever want to re-arrange them, you can

bob

 

[AffableCurmudgeon]

why not just use glass?

 

[onewaydave]

Hobby Lobby sells 2x3' aprox picture frames with a clear mylar like surface instead of glass and plexiglass for about 9 bucks.

Jack Olsen, gratuity like that, what a cool car. I've always lusted after 911's.

Dave.