Faux Sandblasted Redwood Signs using a wood
graining tool and vinyl paint mask
This Candle Shop was on a tight budget, but
they wanted a Sandblasted look for their sign because most merchants in
this shopping center had SBRW signs.
Customer requirements: Use self designed logo
and colors- black, teal and blue.
1. Half inch MDO plywood is cut with a saber
saw. The edges are filled with exterior wood filler and sanded. Edges are
also slightly beveled for better paint adhesion.
2. After being primed and sanded, one coat
of black bulletin enamel is applied. Lettering is cut in vinyl paint mask
and border is masked with 2" masking tape on the straight edges, curves
are hand cut from application tape.
3. Surface is roughed with green Scotch Pad
and rolled with the background color Blue Green bulletin. This color should
work well with your final wood color as a shadow for the deep grain of
the wood. In most cases it should be a darker shade of the final wood color.
On this sign it will be Robins Egg Blue.
4. The final wood color, Robins Egg Blue, is
quickly brushed on with a foam brush. Thin to about the consistency of
light cream, as you would for lettering. This color may also be rolled
on, but I like having a random thickness in the paint.
Now, before it can start to dry, drag the Wood
Graining Tool through the wet paint. Several different effects can be achieved
with the Graining Tool. You can rock it slightly back and forth to create
knot effects if desired. Some practice may be necessary before trying it
on your finished project.
