We use cookies to personalize content, interact with our analytics companies, advertising networks and cooperatives, and demographic companies, provide social media features, and to analyze our traffic. Our social media, advertising and analytics partners may combine it with other information that you’ve provided to them or that they’ve collected from your use of their services. Learn more.
Sand again to remove any paint that got on top of the board
My problem is when I do the sanding for step 5 those painted carved areas fill with dust and that dust attaches so well that blowing does not get it all out - there is always a very noticable layer. I’ve resorted to wiping the carves with a damp rag which, depending on the carve, can be difficult and time consuming.
Question - is there a way I can keep the dust from adhering so well to that painted carved area? I have considered having a step 4.5 where I apply another coat of poly hoping it would create a surface less grabby to the dust.
That all depends on your paint and environment. Usually if it wipes off for me it blows off. I live in AZ so it things cure faster at times than the paint says.
Agreed with the above. Your paint just isn’t cured. Environmental factors play in to curing times, but the manufacturer instructions give you an idea. Sprayed oil enamel cures rock hard for me in 18-24 hours, oil spray non enamel varies. I give it all at least 24 hours cure time, then more if needed.
That’s part of what confuses me…I’ve given it 24 hours. Next time I’ll try for a longer period. Maybe 2 days. I guess it could be the combination of the paint and my geographical location. From your’s and other’s similar feedback, it definitely sounds like I am doing acceptable steps but just not waiting long enough. Thanks!
How thick are you spraying it? I do extremely light coats for the first 2, sometimes 3 coats. So light it takes that many coats to actually get uniform color. Then a decent coat at last for a perfectly smooth finish. If you spray it on thick it will take way longer to completely cure. Plus, if you lay on multiple thick layers it adds to the cure time, and could cause other issues like cracking.
You dont mention the size of your materials but placing the painted stock inside a large cardboard box, with a single 35-50W lightbulb inside will effectively make you a nice cure-oven. You should be able to get up to 120-140degF inside and the humidity will also drop
Sorry. I probably should have been clearer in my initial posting…I am brushing on an oil based paint. Initially I seal the wood to keep any paint I get on the surface from bleeding in. Then I paint the carves being careful not to get any on the surface but, if I do, its ok because it will sand off. I’m just careful when I do it to keep from having to sand a lot off. I generally apply 2 coats, about 2-3 hours apart, as there can be thin spots, and then let it sit about 24 hours. It will turn out ok, its just getting that dust out of the carves is the hard part. Here is my latest (the orange thing on the right is a version of the portable saw mill he uses, a Wood-Mizer) -
They very from 16" to about 24" wide and about 12" tall. Good to note about the box and bulb. Weather permitting, I’ll set it outside of the basement/garage and let the sun help.
There is a flea market in Carrollton and he sells his off-cuts there. He has some really nice large slabs for a couple of hundred but I alway dig through the smaller boards - $1 to $5 a piece. Actually I will be delivering that sign to him tomorrow and stocking up on some more supplies while I’m there…
I’d guess maybe since the carved parts are a bit smaller maybe the paint is pooling up a bit thicker than you think and taking longer to dry. I’ve actually had that happen on a couple hand painted items in the past.
