Red Rocket Signs

03/10/2026

This sign was originally for a Shoney's restaurant. You can just make out some of the Shoney's logo in red. The property was purchased by M.K.Taylor, Jr. Contractors, a site contractor, and the fabric faced sign panels were painted over with their logo. After decades of weather exposure, and with the company reaching 50 years in business, it was time for a face-lift.
Since I have been lettering their company trucks and equipment for years, the owner, Kenny Taylor, asked if I could repair the sign.
After getting all the measurements, I designed a framework of custom made aluminum studs that could be riveted in place without disturbing the fabric faces.
I had to build a 9'×20' 2"×4" stud wall in my shop to attach the 4'×8' panels to, so that they could be lettered with urethane boat paint. I didn't scallop the end panels until they were installed.
I ordered .080 aluminum cut to length and bent them into U shaped studs on a 10' sheet metal brake. Next I trimmed the stud ends to fit the sign retainer.
M.K. Taylor assigned a couple of their employees to assist me with the installation. I run a one man sign shop, but have done some really large jobs with help from others. Don't be afraid to tackle larger jobs.
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12/11/2025

This was a relatively easy installation. My son-in-law helps me on my electric sign installs and they always take longer than I tell him it will.
This was my first time making a small electric sign to match the larger one. I did a lot of experimenting in my shop at night to see how close I could get the white plastic to the LEDs and not get hotspots. I wanted the sign to be as thin as possible so that it could be tucked underneath the countertop.

12/09/2025

Each job has its own unique set of circumstances. BSA APPLIANCES was originally, B&B APPLIANCES. The channel letters were lit by neon and powered by two large, heavy transformers. Some of the neon was broken, and the plastic faces were faded with broken trim. Both transformers were in terrible shape, with one having rusted into pieces.
First I removed all the neon and PK housings. Then I resurfaced a letter S with red translucent vinyl and taped in some LED to see how it would look lit up. Satisfied with the results, l refurbished all of the letters with new paint, trim cap, vinyl and LED.
After acquiring an oval box just the right size to replace the B&B, I made a new acrylic face that reads, BSA. After rewiring the raceway with new power supplies and a photocell, I installed the channel letters to the shopping center facade and connected the electricity.
This is where the problems began. If I covered the photocell with my hand (creating darkness), the letters would light up as they should. However, when it really got dark in the evening, the sign would not light up. The culprit was a pole light in the parking lot that was so bright that the photocell never kicked in. After much trial and error, I switched out the photocell for a heavy duty one I had pulled from another sign that had more adjustments and got the sign to come on as it should at night.
I hope this long description helps the newbies out there just getting started.

12/08/2025

This was another challenging job. Change the wording on a channel box from saying "New Image" to saying "Jeff's". The shopping center sold Jeff the channel letters left by a former tenant. We were asked to change the name and install on the shopping center facade. I hand drew the Jeff's lettering to fill the space and then cut it out with an xacto knife by hand.

12/08/2025

While this face replacement was pretty straightforward, it was very rewarding because we have been buying Chinese food here, for over 20 years. This was also an LED retrofit. I removed the old flourescent bulbs and transformers and replaced with new LED and low voltage power supplies.

12/08/2025

Wallen was a difficult job because black inks are not opaque and look brown at night. As a result, I chose to cut this out of black vinyl and w**d out the white areas. As detailed as this is, it was even more detailed before I eliminated a lot of the smaller graphic elements.
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12/08/2025

Logo created for Sentry Mart. Fabricated new polycarbonate sign faces and pump decals to replace the CITGO branding.

08/15/2024

I created this faux ghost sign both to inspire creativity and to pay homage to the previous tenant.

08/13/2024

I stick these small stickers on the bottom right of magnetic door signs.

04/22/2024