Faux Neon Sign
My goal was to create a Halloween-themed faux neon sign inspired by the aesthetics of a popular Sci-Fi TV series, with the versatility to be part of a larger garage-sized display or function independently. The project involved designing the sign in Adobe Illustrator, cutting the shape from foam insulation board, and painting it for a sleek, black background. I meticulously planned the placement of El wire, routing it through holes in the board to achieve a realistic neon effect. After cutting and painting, I carefully attached the wire, ensuring each section was secure and touched up the final piece for a polished look.
Some of my project objectives/mandatories:
Create a lightweight, removable sign
Achieve a realistic neon look using El wire
Design with scalability for larger displays or standalone use
Ensure durability and ease of assembly for future reuse
Materials:
3mm EL Wire (I tried 5mm but the dye came off too easily): https://amzn.to/3Q5ZPlq
Insulation Foam Board: Small: https://amzn.to/3Q3CFMx https://amzn.to/3WEtrbW https://amzn.to/3VCTSh3 Large: check hardware stores
Exterior Satin Black Paint: https://amzn.to/4e9dxij
Red Spray Paint (optional): https://amzn.to/3XtdAjs https://amzn.to/4eeobEz
Gorilla Glue Gel: https://amzn.to/3GaZsBs
Painter’s tape (optional if painting the letters): https://amzn.to/4dOgXax
Duct Tape: https://amzn.to/3Z2R67C: https://amzn.to/3CfRypw
Drop cloth: https://amzn.to/3YYcXNH https://amzn.to/3WHUvr4 https://amzn.to/3Z6FWyT
Clear gloves: https://amzn.to/47ccRXd
Tools:
Exacto knife: https://amzn.to/3WFORp8
Utility Knife: https://amzn.to/3Q9hKaW https://amzn.to/3i0ia73 https://amzn.to/3vwmePi https://amzn.to/3Z2elyH
T-square or straight edge: https://amzn.to/3GcAz8u https://amzn.to/3vyGgZI
Power drill (or use a nail to poke holes):
Gym mat (for cutting surface): https://amzn.to/3jIfoUr https://amzn.to/3vxqyOs https://amzn.to/3WF5m4Y
Saw horses (optional): https://amzn.to/3CDWzbFhttps://amzn.to/3VCkrTl https://amzn.to/3VCJFBk
Paint rollers: https://amzn.to/3jzp57k
Smooth nap (for rollers): https://amzn.to/3IhVZ74