Painting Carved Wording

[kitaye]

Morning All,

I was commissioned to create a plaque with some relief carved trilliums and a few words chip carved / incised into the centre.

I've finished all the carving and am trying to paint the lettering so it stands out nicely against the dark stain of the wood but I am having some serious trouble. I can't seem to fill the lettering with paint without going over the edges and onto the background. Even with a fine line brush, I can't stay within the lines.

The first time I did this I sanded the surface of the plaque, which worked to remove the overflow but also removed part of the stain. I redid the stain and tried repainting the lettering being very careful, but I still have over painting. I tried to wipe the wet paint off but that just smeared it around the lettering.

I'm almost to the point of taking a sander and removing the entire surface of the plaque and starting over from scratch. Before I do that I wanted to access the collective knowledge of the board and see if you all have a solution or two I can try.

[Mr. Chips]

If you are to the point of starting over, I would apply the dark stain on the carved lettering area. Then sand the rest leaving the stain in the lettering. Then apply a light stain to the rest, or just seal the entire piece.

Good Luck
Randy

[Tom Perdue]

I used a wood burner set on a very low setting and went around each letter where the cut met the surface of the plaque. It gave a sharp edge to the letter and you can carefully paint up to the burned edge

[gene-messer]

Beautiful plaque

Gene

[forester21]

Are you using the paint right from the bottle? or thinned? Try thinning the paint to thickness that is about like ink. Then try again using the liner brush.
Theresa

[papasar]

When I chip carve signs where the letters are to be painted, I spray poly the surface with a few coats and then paint the letters. I can easily wipe any paint that gets on the surface because of the poly. I then poly or spar varnish the completed work.
Bill K.

[sashadoc]

Originally Posted by papasar

When I chip carve signs where the letters are to be painted, I spray poly the surface with a few coats and then paint the letters. I can easily wipe any paint that gets on the surface because of the poly. I then poly or spar varnish the completed work.
Bill K.

Took the words right out of my mouth! This system works for me. I use a couple of light coats of Deft Lacquer (spray) instead of Poly because it dries faster. Poly can be applied as the final coat.
Tim

[kitaye]

Thanks for all the advice. I ended up thinning the paint and using the liner brush as suggested by Theresa. It worked great and the plaque is now drying. I really didn't want to start over as the commission is due Thursday.

Originally Posted by forester21

Are you using the paint right from the bottle? or thinned? Try thinning the paint to thickness that is about like ink. Then try again using the liner brush.
Theresa