truck letters

[rdh]

Is there any way to make my own truck letters? (stickers that last)
People make there own bumper stickers.Has anyone made there own truck
letters?

[Kent Lawns]

I've seen the trucks with the self-lettering.

I will comment no further.

[1MajorTom]

I don't know. I personally don't think it would be worth the time.

I say let a professional do it.

We got our vinyl truck lettering for a couple hundred bucks. And that was including the guy coming to our house and putting the lettering on. Everything is nice and even and on straight.

I think it is worth it to just get it done by someone that really knows what they are doing.

Just my 2 cents.

[SLS]

Another option could be the magnetic signs.

I had these made up for about $140.

I like them because they are neat, clean, and very durable and because I can remove them for road trips or can place them on my backup truck, etc. A very flexible arrangment.

Just a thought. :)

http://members.aol.com/hifiparty/truckmagnets.jpg

[Craig Turf Management]

Go with a pro! I have vinyl lettering on my truck, and it looks great. I went to the sign shop with a design in mind, and they laid it out for me, cut my logo, and saved my logo to a disk that I then took to the printer for biz cards and letterhead.
I've seen some good looking magnetic signs, but people will mess with you. I have a buddy with mag signs, and I turn them upside down or move them from truck to truck where he works.
Bill Craig:D

[PrimeGreen Lawn]

I used to have the magnetic signs on both trucks. Problem was it messed up the paint! Dealer had to wet sand and rebuff the area the magnets stuck to. Went to vinyl after that.

Scott

[SLS]

PrimeGreen Lawn:

I went out and looked under my signs after reading your post but only saw a little fading on the exposed paint (paint under magnets was fine). The paint is original (1990) and black so a little fading is expected. What happend to your paint job? I've had my signs on for about 2 years but I want to keep an eye out for potential trouble as I am wanting to repaint the truck in the fall.

Thanks for any info! :)



Bill Craig:

If I find my signs upside down one morning I'll know that your in town. Come on in and have some coffee and doughnuts.... :D

[Got Grass?]

A couple of the larger LCO's arround here go by a diffrent name for plowing, etc. Thay use the magnets so thay can switch the signs when needed. there is also another company that does lawns, landscaping, decks, gutters, plowing, window cleaning, etc. Thay have diffrent names for each. I'm sure its for insurance reasons. If one truck goes down thay can put whatever company signs on a backup truck/van/dump.

I use the magnets so I can take them off when I dont want to be noticed. I do work for a friend who has a couple slums Pay real good but dont want that reputation. Or when I dont feel like being the perfect driver.

[cantoo]

I used to have a 88 Chev pickup that we used magnetic signs on. When we left them on for a couple of weeks or it rained the paint behind the magnet would blister up. We would take them off and let it dry, but it was still covered with small blisters that eventually peeled off. Now we use vinyl on everything.

[rdh]

i just didnt want to put that much in to the truck .im going to get a nother may be 4x4 to plow. the truck i have looks good but needs some small rust repairs on the rocker panels and painted (faided 1985 chevy)this truck isnt junk and would look good with stickers on it.
my women is good at making my business cards and i know she could make some letters and a walk behind mower that would be cut out like the stickers you see of the little kid that pis#es on those ford emblems. any more thoughts ? thanks

was looking for the cheap way that would last the rest of the year .
i need to get my name out now since i have people slowing down and looking at my stripes .

[PrimeGreen Lawn]

The paint would blister and the magnets actually "stuck" to the doors like some sort of adhesive was holding it on.

[SLS]

PrimeGreen Lawn:

WOW!!! It sounds like maybe there are different kinds of magetic backing material and some possibly have some sort of 'chemical reaction' with paint. Mine are not "sticky" at all. They grip REAL tight but once you grab up a corner you can just roll that sucker right off. They have already seen a full years worth of temperature variences and lots of direct sunlight.

If mine became gooey and blistered the paint I would want to avoid them too! Now you have got me scared to get the old truck re-painted! :eek:

I guess with magnet signs it's the "luck of the draw".

Thanks for the info! :)

[shorelinelawn]

I have a cap on my pu/p truck. Had the windows lettered professionally. Cost me 100 $, and looks great , and no paint fade either. I know most of you don't have caps on their trucks, but it is another option !
If you don't want to letter the truck, what about the trailer ???

[bubble boy]

i have a buddy who had magnets, and the paint beneath them peeled completely off. it did take a few years, though.

he also lost one while driving-flew right off.

thats why i use stickers. truck is my personal vehicle as well, i take it to bars, weddings, etc.. free advertising and a good conversation piece.

[MATTHEW]

Your name on the truck is a must. If you do not
have one you may be accused of being a SCRUB!!!!!!
I saw a guy once with his phone number spray painted
on the side of the truck. Do you think he might have
been a scrub???

[CSRA Landscaping]

Darryl ... where r u?? Tell them about the sidewalk chalk. :D

[greenflag]

My magnetic signs got stuck! I had to tear them off of the truck. All I can figure out is the adheasive from the vinyl on the front went through the magnet. (Probably from this mild 98 degree weather in Texas) I got the spots left behind off with 3M Finesse it. It's vinyl letters for me from now on!

[Calvin]

MATHEW,
Quote:
"Your name on the truck is a must. If you don't have one you may be accused of being a scrub!!"

The purpose of having your name on your truck is to generate business. If your booked solid, with a waiting list, your name on the truck is not necessary. Scrubs are quite often more desperate to generate business than a pro with no lettering.

[CSRA Landscaping]

I think he was being facetious.

[Calvin]

Fa.. wha??
You're joking right.

Curious as to whether anyone who is not accepting new business has truck lettering & if so why. When I took mine off we stopped getting annoying calls from people who wanted single cuts, gardens weeded, & many other services we don't offer. I realize it gets your company name seen but around here word of mouth seems to be enough.

[CSRA Landscaping]

Nope, wasn't joking. Why would I be? I think the bit about being considered a scrub because you have no lettering was just a bit facetious. It does have a point, though, ever so slight.

As far as the lettering thing, I would think that anyone that haas lettering on their truck would like to accept new business, it's just according to the type of work that the folks want done. If you get a call from someone that wants a $5k retaining wall job done, my guess is that you'll find time to do it.;)

[SLS]

There is some logic in what Matthew said.

Here is my view on signs:

A truck with lettering is more likely to get you noticed and checked for proper business licences...especially if Codes drives by and sees you spraying.

On the other hand a guy with NO LETTERS can just tell the codes inspector: "Hey! Whats wrong with me coming over here and working in my cousin's yard?"...while counting the unreported cash in his head......hehehehehe!!!!! (hmmm...... :))
;)

When parked on the jobsite a sign on your vehicle shows that you have accountability...and it also shows that you are proud of your work. :)

A "shingle" over your door shows the public that you are SERIOUS about your game and not just some dude on the way to cut your granny's yard....(especially important if your towing a beat-up riding tractor...hehe..)

A sign is a crucial part of a "professional image" as well as advertising...and image goes a long way in the service industry.

Just my humble opinion.

[Calvin]

CSRA,
I was being facetious.

If there were 8 days in the week we could find time to do it.
Nothing against lettering, just wondering if anyone else runs without it. I found less hassles from feeling obligated to answer every call after I took it off.

[Eric ELM]

Originally posted by Calvin
Quote: The purpose of having your name on your truck is to generate business. If your booked solid, with a waiting list, your name on the truck is not necessary. Scrubs are quite often more desperate to generate business than a pro with no lettering.

Calvin, I have to agree with you on this. I have all the work I can handle, and I have never had signs on my trucks. I still get calls from word of mouth and have to turn down work or give it away.

I did have a sign on the back of my trailer when I started out, but got rid of it soon after I started and had all the work I needed. I still feel I can mow grass good enough to be considered a Pro.

[Fine Lines Lawn]

LOL @ Jeff :)

[ron]

Put your name on the back of your window and one backwards on the front windshield works very well

[MATTHEW]

Of course I was. You are right about getting calls.
I do not put my phone number on the side-just the
name.If they want you to work for them, they will
stop you on the street before calling. People want
to "check you out" personally as well.
On the signs, I use magnets with no troubles. I do
regularly take them off to wash the doors.

[GrassChopper]

I do not have signs because I have all the business I can handle right now. I used to have vinyl lettering but removed it. Too many calls.

[Kent Lawns]

Many states require signage for pesticide applications.

To be satisfied being in a stagnant growth pattern is beyond me.

[CSRA Landscaping]

:D

[XOFMOT]

Well, I'll jump on this bandwagon as well!

I am in business. Part of ANY successful business includes ADVERTISING. I guess it all depends on how "BIG" you would like to become. Some of you have enough at this time and can't handle anymore customers...GOOD FOR YOU.....Some of us, INCLUDING MYSELF, would like to generate some more customers (I have no choice but to advertise every which way and how...I'm NEW!).

I went the MAGNETIC door sign route...I know I've heard a lot of negative thoughts on these magnetic signs..but thats my choice.
Thats why I'm in business for myself, I get to make the decisions! Thanks to all of you LAWNSITE.COM people.....You just make things flow a little smoother!!!

Here is a PIC. of my door signs...Just got them today!

[SLS]

XOFMOT:

I think your signs look great...nice and clean...very professional looking...looks a lot like my signs (see page 1 of this thread) so of course I'm biased. I had some rectangle shaped ones for another business and they were on my truck for about 5 years....no problems with those either. Must be that Ford paint... ;)

I hope yours works as well for you as mine has for me....no hassles... just several great customers!

PEACE!

[LoneStarLawn]

We have magnetic signs on our truck (Ford) no problems...take the things off when you are finished at the end of the day.

[dmk395]

Go with a pro, and remember the key word, DELEGATION. This will be a business expense so it will be tax deductible. Why waste your time doing a task that can be done for short money and with a professional look.

[ron]

Magnetic signs work great,but there are a few problems with the magnets.first they make your paint turn to rust pits on your doors.there must be an easier way.tryied vinal letters and they peel off from all the hot sweaty air. from good ole florida..there must be an easier way to advertise...

[LoneStarLawn]

Originally posted by ron
Magnetic signs work great,but there are a few problems with the magnets.first they make your paint turn to rust pits on your doors........

No problems here (2 years). Follow the instructions given to you when you order the signs and you will have no problem.

(Do not leave them on overnight. When you are finished take them off. They are not to be permenant so don't make them. Wax you vehicle each week.)

[Henry]

I don't know the laws elswhere but in NJ if your vehicle has commercial plates you must have your biz name and phone # on both sides in letters at least 3" high. I was also told by an officer I know that magnetic signs don't count, although it's not often enforced.

[Bunton Guy]

I had the complete tail gate of my truck and complete back window and both sides of the trailer 7X16 and back of the trailer lettered from my buddy who does vinyl he didnt charge me but like 5 or 10 bucks.