How we researched this guide
We compared 6 products from the research notes for this guide, checked 6 listing specification records manufacturer or listing specification records, and reviewed 6 owner-facing listing summaries. Every specification below comes from those records; where a specification was not published, we say so rather than filling the gap.
Signs and paints are kept separate in this guide. No product here is literally sold as garage signs paint, no paint is included with any sign here, and the primer below is a prep step, not a coloured finish.
The 30-second answer
Buy a finished sign if you want garage wall decor ready to hang, and buy a finish or primer only if you are making, restoring, or refinishing a metal sign. The Smilelife sign suits a single spot, the WDLFCGC set suits a whole wall, the Vosaplk sign suits a portrait-format spot, the two Rust-Oleum metallic finishes suit interior metal accents, and the Rust-Oleum primer suits rusty metal prep before a finish coat.
Quick picks
Single sign
Smilelife Funny Garage Rules My Tools My Rules Tin Sign — TPH5
Best if you want one vintage tin sign with garage wording for a single wall spot.
Sign set
WDLFCGC 7 Pcs Vintage Metal Tin Garage Signs — WDLF0007
Best if you want seven vintage tin signs to fill a whole garage wall at once.
Portrait sign
Vosaplk Gerard Way Wall Decor Metal Tin Sign — paohuiC91
Best if you want a portrait-format metal sign usable in a garage, bar, or kitchen.
Metallic finish
Rust-Oleum 340648 Specialty Metallic Spray — Silver
Best if you want a silver metallic finish for interior metal decor and accents.
Chrome finish
Rust-Oleum 7718830 Stops Rust Bright Coat Metallic Spray — Chrome
Best if you want a chrome-look metallic finish for interior metal accent pieces.
Primer, not a finish
Rust-Oleum 249331 Automotive Rusty Metal Primer Spray — Light Gray
Best if you need a rusty-metal primer as the prep step before a finish coat, not as a colour.
Quick compare
| Product | Kind | Size / form | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smilelife sign | Finished sign | 8 by 12 inch | |
| WDLFCGC set | Finished signs | 7 by 8 by 12 inch | |
| Vosaplk sign | Finished sign | 6 by 16 inch | |
| Rust-Oleum metallic | Finish | 11 oz spray | |
| Rust-Oleum chrome | Finish | 11 oz spray | |
| Rust-Oleum primer | Primer | 12 oz spray, 6 pack |
Wall-width finder: single sign, set, or restoration step?
Enter the wall width in inches you want to cover. This finder gives a starting point only; measure the actual wall and check sign sizes before ordering.
How to choose
Sign or paint first
Decide whether you want a finished sign to hang or a finish to apply, because signs and paints in this guide are separate products and neither includes the other.
Size and layout
Measure the wall spot and lay signs out before fixing, because a single sign, a set, and a portrait sign need different wall plans.
Theme honestly
Check the stated sign themes before ordering, because a general wall sign is not a garage-themed sign, even if it can hang in a garage.
Interior versus exterior
The metallic finishes here are interior per listing, while the primer allows interior and exterior prep, so do not carry an interior finish outdoors and expect durability.
Primer is prep
Treat primer as the step before a finish coat, not as a colour, and let it cure before finishing, because rushing the sequence hurts the result.
Spray safety
Use ventilation, masking, and a test piece for every spray product, because metallic finishes show preparation and application errors clearly.
Fitment and sizing data
| Product | Kind | Size |
|---|---|---|
| Smilelife sign | Finished sign | 8 by 12 inch |
| WDLFCGC set | Finished signs | 7 by 8 by 12 inch |
| Vosaplk sign | Finished sign | 6 by 16 inch |
| Metallic finishes | Finish | Spray |
| Primer | Primer | Spray |
By budget
| Tier | What you get | Example pick |
|---|---|---|
| Single sign | One focal point, ready to hang | Smilelife sign |
| Sign set | Whole wall coverage | WDLFCGC set |
| Finish | Interior metal accent | Rust-Oleum metallic |
| Prep | Rusty metal restoration | Rust-Oleum primer |
Types compared
| Type | Pros | Cons / best for | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finished sign | Ready to hang, themed | No custom finish | Best for decor buyers |
| Metallic finish | Shiny interior finish | Interior only | Best for refinishing |
| Primer | Rusty metal prep | Not a colour | Best for restoration |
| Portrait sign | Narrow wall format | General theme | Best for narrow spots |
Detailed reviews
Signs come first, then finishes, then primer, so the two halves of this keyword never blur into one claim.
Single-sign pick: Smilelife Funny Garage Rules My Tools My Rules Tin Sign — TPH5
Single vintage tin sign, garage wording
Why the Smilelife Funny Garage Rules My Tools My Rules Tin Sign — TPH5 is our pick
The Smilelife sign is the single-sign pick because it answers the simplest garage-decor need: one sign, one spot, ready to hang. It is an iron tin sign, 8 by 12 inches, in a retro style, with funny garage-rules wording aimed at a garage or workshop. Its humour and distressed vintage finish are listing-sourced, not invented, and its value is in a single focal point rather than wall coverage. A reader who wants a whole wall will find it too small on its own, and that limit is part of its honest case.
Smilelife Funny Garage Rules My Tools My Rules Tin Sign — TPH5 key specs
- Maker: Smilelife; Model: TPH5; ASIN: B0DZNXRYYN
- Material: iron (listing)
- Size: 8 inches long by 12 inches wide (listing)
- Style: retro (listing)
- Mount: wall mount (listing)
- Use: garage, workshop, man cave decor (listing)
Smilelife Funny Garage Rules My Tools My Rules Tin Sign — TPH5: fits and best for
Best for a single garage, workshop, or man-cave wall spot where one vintage sign sets the tone. Not a wall-coverage set, and not a paint product.
Smilelife Funny Garage Rules My Tools My Rules Tin Sign — TPH5 pros and watch-outs
- Single sign, ready to hang
- Vintage retro style with garage wording
- Iron tin construction
- Clear 8 by 12 inch size
- One sign only, so wall coverage is limited
- Humour wording will not suit every garage
- No paint or finish included
Smilelife Funny Garage Rules My Tools My Rules Tin Sign — TPH5: what owners report
- Listing detail confirms the maker, model, ASIN, material, and size used here. Owner-report coverage in the research notes is thin, so this guide makes no broader owner-experience claim.
Smilelife Funny Garage Rules My Tools My Rules Tin Sign — TPH5: who should not buy
Do not buy this sign if you need to fill a whole wall. The set alternative in this guide is the WDLFCGC 7-piece set below.
Smilelife Funny Garage Rules My Tools My Rules Tin Sign — TPH5: pair it with
Pair it with a wall-spot measurement and a fixing check, so the single sign sits at eye level and centred on its spot.
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Hang one sign first and step back before adding more, because a single focal point can carry a small wall on its own. Related live guides: garage signs to make.
Sign-set pick: WDLFCGC 7 Pcs Vintage Metal Tin Garage Signs — WDLF0007
Seven vintage tin signs, old car and oil themes
Why the WDLFCGC 7 Pcs Vintage Metal Tin Garage Signs — WDLF0007 is our pick
The WDLFCGC set is the wall-coverage pick, because seven signs change the job from choosing one focal point to laying out a wall. Each sign is 8 by 12 inches in tin, the set carries old-car, oil-and-gas, garage, motor-spirit, petrol, and service-station themes per listing, and it suits a garage, man cave, or workshop wall that needs filling at once. The themes are listing-sourced, so a reader can judge the set by its stated themes rather than by a generic vintage label.
WDLFCGC 7 Pcs Vintage Metal Tin Garage Signs — WDLF0007 key specs
- Maker: WDLFCGC; Model: WDLF0007; ASIN: B0DQ7D5F36
- Material: tin (listing)
- Count: 7 pieces (listing)
- Size: 8 by 12 inches each (listing)
- Mount: wall mount (listing)
- Themes: Garage, Motor Spirit, Petrol, Service Station and old-car shop posters (listing)
WDLFCGC 7 Pcs Vintage Metal Tin Garage Signs — WDLF0007: fits and best for
Best for a garage, man-cave, or workshop wall that needs several signs at once, with old-car and oil-and-gas themes. Not a single-sign purchase, and not a paint product.
WDLFCGC 7 Pcs Vintage Metal Tin Garage Signs — WDLF0007 pros and watch-outs
- Seven signs cover a wall in one set
- Consistent 8 by 12 inch size for layout
- Old-car and service-station themes
- Tin construction for garage use
- Set themes may not all suit one wall
- Seven signs need layout planning
- No paint or finish included
WDLFCGC 7 Pcs Vintage Metal Tin Garage Signs — WDLF0007: what owners report
- Listing detail confirms the maker, model, ASIN, count, size, and themes used here. Owner-report coverage in the research notes is thin, so this guide makes no broader owner-experience claim.
WDLFCGC 7 Pcs Vintage Metal Tin Garage Signs — WDLF0007: who should not buy
Do not buy this set if you want one sign or a portrait-format sign. The single alternative is the Smilelife sign, and the portrait alternative is the Vosaplk sign.
WDLFCGC 7 Pcs Vintage Metal Tin Garage Signs — WDLF0007: pair it with
Pair it with a wall layout plan on the floor first, so spacing and theme order are settled before any fixing goes in.
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Lay all seven signs on the floor in order before hanging, because a wall layout is easier to fix on the floor than after fixings. See customizable garage signs.
Portrait-sign pick: Vosaplk Gerard Way Wall Decor Metal Tin Sign — paohuiC91
Portrait-format metal sign, general wall use
Why the Vosaplk Gerard Way Wall Decor Metal Tin Sign — paohuiC91 is our pick
The Vosaplk sign is included to show breadth, and its limits must be stated as plainly as its size. It is a metal tin sign, 6 by 16 inches in portrait format, for garage, man cave, bar, and kitchen use, and it is a general wall sign usable in a garage rather than a garage-specific design. That distinction matters: a reader who wants a garage-themed sign should not buy this sign expecting garage wording, while a reader who wants a portrait-format sign for a narrow wall spot has a clear option here.
Vosaplk Gerard Way Wall Decor Metal Tin Sign — paohuiC91 key specs
- Maker: Vosaplk, manufacturer SaNavie; Model: paohuiC91; ASIN: B0B7G16283
- Material: aluminium, iron, metal (listing)
- Size: 16 inches long by 6 inches wide (listing)
- Mount: wall mount (listing)
- Use: garage, man cave, bar, kitchen (listing)
- Note: general wall sign usable in a garage, not a garage-specific design
Vosaplk Gerard Way Wall Decor Metal Tin Sign — paohuiC91: fits and best for
Best for a narrow, portrait-format wall spot in a garage, man cave, bar, or kitchen. Not the pick for a reader who specifically wants garage-themed wording.
Vosaplk Gerard Way Wall Decor Metal Tin Sign — paohuiC91 pros and watch-outs
- Portrait format suits narrow wall spots
- Metal tin construction
- Usable across garage, bar, and kitchen walls
- General theme, not a garage-specific design
- Narrow format limits large-wall use
- No paint or finish included
Vosaplk Gerard Way Wall Decor Metal Tin Sign — paohuiC91: what owners report
- Listing detail confirms the maker, model, ASIN, material, and size used here. Owner-report coverage in the research notes is thin, so this guide makes no broader owner-experience claim.
Vosaplk Gerard Way Wall Decor Metal Tin Sign — paohuiC91: who should not buy
Do not buy this sign if garage-themed wording is the main need. The themed alternatives are the Smilelife sign and the WDLFCGC set.
Vosaplk Gerard Way Wall Decor Metal Tin Sign — paohuiC91: pair it with
Pair it with a narrow-spot measurement, because a portrait sign needs height clearance as well as width.
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Check height as well as width for a portrait sign, because a tall sign in a low spot looks wrong even if the width fits. See garage signs to make.
Metallic-finish pick: Rust-Oleum 340648 Specialty Metallic Spray — Silver
Silver metallic spray finish for interior metal
Why the Rust-Oleum 340648 Specialty Metallic Spray — Silver is our pick
The Rust-Oleum metallic spray is the first finish pick, and its scope is narrower than a general paint claim. It is a silver metallic spray with real metal leafing flakes per listing, it covers 12 square feet per listing, and it is listed for wood, metal, plaster, masonry, and unglazed ceramic. Its specific use is interior per listing, so this guide does not claim exterior durability for it. It suits refinishing or customising a metal sign or accent piece indoors, not coating an outdoor sign for weather exposure.
Rust-Oleum 340648 Specialty Metallic Spray — Silver key specs
- Maker: Rust-Oleum; Part: 1915830; Model: 340648; ASIN: B000PQGE2M
- Form: spray, 11 oz (listing)
- Finish: metallic silver, real metal leafing flakes per listing
- Coverage: 12 sq ft per listing
- Surfaces: wood, metal, plaster, masonry, unglazed ceramic (listing)
- Specific use: interior per listing
Rust-Oleum 340648 Specialty Metallic Spray — Silver: fits and best for
Best for an interior metal sign or accent piece that needs a shiny silver metallic finish. Not a sign itself, and not an exterior finish claim.
Rust-Oleum 340648 Specialty Metallic Spray — Silver pros and watch-outs
- Silver metallic finish with metal leafing flakes
- 12 square feet coverage per listing
- Suits metal and other listed surfaces
- Interior use only per listing, not exterior durability
- Spray work needs ventilation and masking
- Not a sign, and not included with any sign
Rust-Oleum 340648 Specialty Metallic Spray — Silver: what owners report
- Listing detail confirms the maker, part, ASIN, coverage, and interior use used here. Owner-report coverage in the research notes is thin, so this guide makes no broader owner-experience claim.
Rust-Oleum 340648 Specialty Metallic Spray — Silver: who should not buy
Do not buy this finish if you need an exterior sign coating or a coloured sign paint. The chrome alternative is below, and the prep alternative is the primer at the end.
Rust-Oleum 340648 Specialty Metallic Spray — Silver: pair it with
Pair it with masking, ventilation, and a clean metal surface, and test the finish on a scrap piece before the sign itself.
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Spray a test piece first, because metallic finishes show surface preparation more than flat finishes do. See paint for truck bed covers for a different paint context.
Chrome-finish pick: Rust-Oleum 7718830 Stops Rust Bright Coat Metallic Spray — Chrome
Chrome-look metallic spray finish for interior metal
Why the Rust-Oleum 7718830 Stops Rust Bright Coat Metallic Spray — Chrome is our pick
The Rust-Oleum Bright Coat chrome spray is the second finish pick, and it shares the same interior limit as the silver finish. It is a chrome-look metallic spray, it covers 6 square feet per listing, it uses any-angle spray per listing, and its surface recommendation is metal. Like the silver finish, its listing use is interior, so this guide does not claim exterior durability for it. It suits an interior metal accent piece that needs a bright chrome look, not an outdoor sign facing weather.
Rust-Oleum 7718830 Stops Rust Bright Coat Metallic Spray — Chrome key specs
- Maker: Rust-Oleum; Part and Model: 7718830; ASIN: B000Z8DGXK
- Form: spray, 11 oz (listing)
- Finish: metallic chrome, bright coat (listing)
- Coverage: 6 sq ft per listing
- Surface recommendation: metal (listing)
- Spray: any-angle spray per listing
- Specific use: interior per listing
Rust-Oleum 7718830 Stops Rust Bright Coat Metallic Spray — Chrome: fits and best for
Best for an interior metal accent piece that needs a bright chrome look. Not a sign itself, and not an exterior finish claim.
Rust-Oleum 7718830 Stops Rust Bright Coat Metallic Spray — Chrome pros and watch-outs
- Bright chrome-look metallic finish
- Any-angle spray for awkward pieces
- Metal surface recommendation
- Interior use only per listing
- Smaller 6 square feet coverage than the silver finish
- Spray work needs ventilation and masking
Rust-Oleum 7718830 Stops Rust Bright Coat Metallic Spray — Chrome: what owners report
- Listing detail confirms the maker, part, ASIN, coverage, and interior use used here. Owner-report coverage in the research notes is thin, so this guide makes no broader owner-experience claim.
Rust-Oleum 7718830 Stops Rust Bright Coat Metallic Spray — Chrome: who should not buy
Do not buy this finish if you need an exterior coating or a large coverage area. The silver finish covers more area per listing, and the primer below is the prep step, not a finish.
Rust-Oleum 7718830 Stops Rust Bright Coat Metallic Spray — Chrome: pair it with
Pair it with a clean, primed metal surface where needed, plus masking and ventilation, and a test piece before the final sign.
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Use the chrome finish as an accent, not as a thick coat, because metallic sprays show runs and pooling if over-applied. See paint for truck bumpers.
Primer pick — prep step, not a finish: Rust-Oleum 249331 Automotive Rusty Metal Primer Spray — Light Gray
Rusty metal primer, prep step only
Why the Rust-Oleum 249331 Automotive Rusty Metal Primer Spray — Light Gray is our pick
The Rust-Oleum rusty metal primer is the most misread product in this guide, so its label is repeated on purpose: it is a primer, not a finish, and not a coloured sign paint. It is a light-gray spray for rusty metal, it is rust-resistant per listing, it works for interior and exterior prep per listing, and it covers 12 square feet per listing. Its job is to prepare an old rusty metal sign before a finish coat, and a reader who buys it expecting a finished colour will be disappointed. Used correctly, it is the step that makes a finish coat last.
Rust-Oleum 249331 Automotive Rusty Metal Primer Spray — Light Gray key specs
- Maker: Rust-Oleum; Part and Model: 249331; ASIN: B0BLZNFL7H
- Form: spray, 12 oz, 6 pack (listing)
- Type: automotive rusty metal primer, light gray (listing)
- Surface recommendation: metal (listing)
- Use: interior and exterior prep per listing
- Coverage: 12 sq ft per listing
- Note: primer, not a coloured finish
Rust-Oleum 249331 Automotive Rusty Metal Primer Spray — Light Gray: fits and best for
Best as the prep step for restoring an old rusty metal sign before a finish coat. Not a finished colour, and not a sign itself.
Rust-Oleum 249331 Automotive Rusty Metal Primer Spray — Light Gray pros and watch-outs
- Prepares rusty metal for a finish coat
- Rust-resistant per listing
- Interior and exterior prep use
- 12 square feet coverage per listing
- Light gray primer, not a finished colour
- Needs a finish coat after prep
- Spray work needs ventilation and masking
Rust-Oleum 249331 Automotive Rusty Metal Primer Spray — Light Gray: what owners report
- Listing detail confirms the maker, part, ASIN, coverage, and primer type used here. Owner-report coverage in the research notes is thin, so this guide makes no broader owner-experience claim.
Rust-Oleum 249331 Automotive Rusty Metal Primer Spray — Light Gray: who should not buy
Do not buy this primer if you want a finished sign colour. The finish alternatives are the silver and chrome Rust-Oleum sprays above, after priming where needed.
Rust-Oleum 249331 Automotive Rusty Metal Primer Spray — Light Gray: pair it with
Pair it with cleaning, rust removal, and a finish coat, in that order, so prep, primer, and finish each do their own job.
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Let primer cure fully before the finish coat, because rushing the sequence is the most common restoration mistake. See paint for off-road bumpers.
Spec comparison
| Product | Kind | Size / coverage | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smilelife sign | Finished sign | 8 by 12 inch | |
| WDLFCGC set | Finished signs | 7 by 8 by 12 inch | |
| Vosaplk sign | Finished sign | 6 by 16 inch | |
| Metallic silver | Finish | 12 sq ft | |
| Chrome finish | Finish | 6 sq ft | |
| Primer | Primer | 12 sq ft | |
| Interior use | Signs: indoor walls | Finishes: interior | Primer: interior/exterior |
| Included paint | No paint with signs | No sign with paint | No finish, prep only |
| Material | Iron / tin / metal | Spray finish | Spray primer |
| Best use | Wall decor | Refinish accent | Restore rusty sign |
Installation and fitment basics
For a finished sign, measure the spot, lay out the sign or set, and fix at eye level with suitable wall fixings. For a finish or primer, clean the metal, mask the area, ventilate the space, spray a test piece, then prime, cure, and finish in order. Do not skip the test piece, because metallic finishes show preparation errors clearly.
Category context: Garage Signs and Apparel, Gifts and Collectibles. Related live guides: garage signs to make and customizable garage signs.
Safety essentials
Safety essentials
- Ventilate spray work and mask nearby surfaces.
- Test every finish on a scrap piece first.
- Let primer cure fully before a finish coat.
- Fix signs to suitable wall fixings, not just adhesive where weight needs support.
- Keep spray products clear of flames and heat.
- Wear eye and breathing protection for spray work.
Relevant safety accessories are named without an Amazon button here because the verified safety pool in the brief covers winch recovery gear, which is not relevant to signs and paint; no off-topic button has been added to fill this section.
Troubleshooting
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Finish looks patchy | Poor surface prep | Clean, prime, and test again |
| Primer shows through | Finish coat too thin | Apply finish to maker guidance after curing |
| Sign hangs crooked | No layout plan | Re-measure and level before refixing |
| Spray runs | Over-application | Use light coats and a test piece |
| Rust returns | Poor prep or missed primer | Clean, prime fully, then finish |
| Sign theme disappoints | General sign bought for theme | Choose a themed sign before ordering |
Who should NOT buy these
Exterior finish buyers: If you need an exterior sign coating, the interior metallic finishes here are the wrong pick, and an explicitly exterior product must be found instead.
Colour buyers: If you want a finished colour, the primer alone is the wrong pick, because primer is prep, not a colour.
Whole-wall buyers: If you want whole-wall coverage, a single sign is too small, and the 7-piece set fits better.
Final verdict
Smilelife sign — single-sign pick —
WDLFCGC set — sign-set pick —
Vosaplk sign — portrait-sign pick —
Rust-Oleum metallic — finish pick —
Rust-Oleum chrome — finish pick —
Rust-Oleum primer — primer pick —
FAQ
Is there a product literally sold as garage signs paint?
No verified product literally sold as garage signs paint was found in the research notes. This guide therefore keeps finished garage signs and suitable paints and finishes separate, rather than inventing a product line.
Does any paint come with the signs in this guide?
No. No paint is included with any sign here, and no sign is included with any paint or primer here. Signs and finishes are separate purchases.
What is the difference between the silver and chrome Rust-Oleum finishes?
The silver metallic spray covers 12 square feet per listing and uses real metal leafing flakes, while the chrome Bright Coat spray covers 6 square feet per listing and gives a bright chrome look. Both are interior per listing.
Can I use these metallic finishes outdoors?
No claim is made for exterior durability here, because both metallic finishes list interior use. For outdoor work, check a product that explicitly lists exterior use before buying.
Is the Rust-Oleum primer a coloured sign paint?
No. The Rust-Oleum 249331 product is a light-gray rusty metal primer, a prep step before a finish coat, not a coloured finish. It prepares rusty metal so a finish coat can last.
Which sign suits a whole garage wall?
The WDLFCGC 7-piece set suits a whole wall, because seven 8 by 12 inch tin signs cover far more wall than a single sign. Lay the set out on the floor first to settle spacing and theme order.
Which sign suits a single wall spot?
The Smilelife 8 by 12 inch tin sign suits a single spot with garage wording, while the Vosaplk 6 by 16 inch sign suits a narrow portrait-format spot. Choose by spot size and theme, not by size alone.
Is the Vosaplk sign a garage-themed sign?
No. It is a general metal wall sign usable in a garage, bar, or kitchen, not a garage-specific design. A reader who wants garage wording should choose the Smilelife sign or the WDLFCGC set instead.
What order should I restore a rusty metal sign in?
Clean and remove loose rust, apply primer, let it cure fully, then apply a finish coat. Rushing from primer to finish is the most common restoration mistake, and each step does its own job.
Sources & changelog
- Smilelife listing
- WDLFCGC listing
- Vosaplk listing
- Rust-Oleum metallic listing
- Rust-Oleum chrome listing
- Rust-Oleum primer listing
Changelog — October 27, 2026: guide first published.
By Leo, Founder, WinchInsider
Leo covers truck and workshop gear with a focus on fitment, published specifications, and owner-reported experience, so readers can match a product to their own vehicle or workshop before buying.
Related guides
Top pick: Smilelife Funny Garage Rules My Tools My Rules Tin Sign — TPH5