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Just the right touch

Long-lasting LED sign personalizes hangar, home

I thought of my brother, Martin, when a social media ad for a personalized LED garage sign caught my attention.
Photography by David Tulis
Zoomed image
Photography by David Tulis
Photography by David TulisHe’s become something of a vintage muscle car aficionado and collector, buying models we lusted after in our youth but couldn’t afford back then. First, he purchased a pristine, gold 1970 Pontiac GTO. A black 1970 Chevrolet Camaro SS, a red “General Lee” Dodge Charger, and a blue 1964 VW Beetle soon followed. Before long, a garage full of these beauties cried out for something special announcing them. So, when I saw the Stupid Garage ad on my Facebook feed offering a modern LED for about $170, I figured he’d enjoy it.

“Martin’s Garage looks good in blue and red,” said my wife, Lisa. “That’s a great present for him, but what about your hangar, aren’t you going to get one for yourself?” I admire how she thinks! After nearly 30 years of marriage, Lisa knows me well. Truthfully, I was thinking about it—but wasn’t sure if the text could be changed to “David’s Hangar” instead of “Garage.”

After a few more keystrokes and an email to customer service, I found out the company would happily substitute hangar or a similar word with about the same number of letters. Better yet, customer service representative Andrea returned my phone call, spoke to me at length, and offered a decent discount for the second sign.

About 10 days later my personalized, 24-inch by 16-inch two-color LED sign proclaiming “David’s Hangar, Est. 2022” arrived. A fist holding a wrench splits the top and bottom words, and the standard “My Tools, My Rules” phrase anchors the lower part of the sign. A lighted garage icon appears on the lower left, with a motorcycle on the lower right. Since I ride, it was the perfect combination.

Brother Martin’s was shipped directly to him in Atlanta, and he loves it.

The neon-like, engraved, 3-D sign is just the right touch in the hangar near a restored Piper Tri-Pacer. The LED sign is lightweight, doesn’t get too hot, has a hanging chain for mounting, and a remote control allowing various color changes from the basic blue-and-red scheme I chose. Green, white, yellow, purple, or other hues may tickle your fancy. Free shipping, a warranty, and a 30-day money-back guarantee helped seal the deals.

Signs can be customized with your name on top, additional text on the bottom, and an established-by date for the standard online price. Stupid Garage (yes, that really is the name) can accommodate further personalization—or full customization—for additional fees, and customer service is responsive and accommodating. The LED sign could make a unique gift for you, a family member, or a special someone as the holidays approach.

From $109.99
David Tulis
David Tulis
Senior Photographer
Senior Photographer David Tulis joined AOPA in 2015 and is a private pilot with single-engine land and sea ratings and a tailwheel endorsement. He is also a certificated remote pilot and co-host of the award-wining AOPA Hangar Talk podcast. David enjoys vintage aircraft and photography.

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