Black letters on white board

[KeystoneChuck]

Can anyone tell me a finishing method on getting black colored letters on a colored (white) board. I am using the centerline program with a 60 degree V carve bit. To get black letters I dab (I'm no painter) black paint in all of the recessed text, let dry, and sand to take of excess on board face and reveal black font. I see projects where they have black font with a white or other colored board face. How are the getting the color on there without getting it in the black font? Or if anyone has a different technique for painting V carve signs I would appreciate insight. Had thought of painting board first then carving; good idea or not?

[gregsolano]

One trick is to paint the board first and then use removable shelf paper (really cheap at dollar stores or big lots). Put the shelf paper over the board then carve. Before removing the shelf paper paint the fonts then remove the shelf paper. Some touch up may be required but overall it works great.

[KeystoneChuck]

Thanks a ton! I know what I am trying tomorrow or shoud I say today (2:07am).

[KeystoneChuck]

Do you recommend a certain paint? Gloss/Flat/Satin? Latex/Satin?

[Deolman]

I usually carve the letters, use a good sealer on the board, and then paint the letters with a brush. If I go outside the letters I can just wipe off the excess because of the sealer. My boards have all been finished and or stained with only the letters painted.

[Kenm810]

Here's one from a few years ago when I would use Sanding Sealer on the face of the project,
carve the text and paint it with Satin Latex paint. Then wipe or clean of any excess paint with a
damp clean cloth. "Bounty Toweling also worked fine" Then when the text was dry,
I would use a 4" fine nap -1/8" or 1/4" roller to lightly paint the surface -- with a contrasting Latex Paint.

Just another way to Get'er-Done

[Digitalwoodshop]

Thanks a ton! I know what I am trying tomorrow or should I say today (2:07am).

Another Night Owl like ME......

My trick to paint V Text is to use small Syringes.... Without the metal needle... Works great.... Just push the paint around. I paint them 3 times.... Normal let it dry, then spin the sign 180 degrees paint again, the a 3rd time to do any touch up.

Brown Signs, White Letters. I also use LATEX Paint.

I also transfer all the paint from the cans into Ketchup Bottles... No Drying Crust Problem, Easy to Shake up, and I insert the Syringe into the bottle, tilt up, Fill the Syringe, then shoot some back into the bottle to "Burp" any air. Properly Capped the Syringes can store paint between paintings. The all plastic syringes used to give KIDS Liquid Medicine work the BEST.... Easy to clean and no rubber to get hard.

AL

[TerryT]

I am curious as to the reason you need to paint the letters first and stain second. Is there something about the project that makes it necessary?

[Ton80]

I am curious as to the reason you need to paint the letters first and stain second. Is there something about the project that makes it necessary?

If this question was for me I would say the reason is this. I have stained a project like this one first and then painted in the vCarve. It takes
F O R E V E R to complete the painting job !!! I find it much faster to spray the paint into the line and plane away the surface and then come back and rag on my stain. It also ensures nice crisp paint lines by planing the top 1/32" - 1/16" of surface wood after spray painting.

[Hasher]

I have used a different method, let me say that I am a hobbyist not a pro sign person. Most of my centerline text is in a carved region, could not use shelf paper method. After painting the background or using sanding sealer, I would sprinkle, dry, water soluble, tempera paint in to the text, wipe off excess with a dry foam brush, then brush with another foam brush that was wet, used paper towel to soak excess water, sometimes I do it twice. After the water dried in text I spray with clear.