Wood for outdoor signs?

[carrothers]

I have had success with using plain old MDF and then coating it with a two part expoxy called West System. It's used in the marine environment to seal wood. As soon as it is carved I spread on the West system on both sides and the edges. Let it dry , light scuffing, and then put a second coat on. You can paint over it and it's good for ever. I think I have posted some address signs for houses that I have done using this technique. Cheaper than any of the good weather resistant woods. Only downside is probably wouldn't work if you wanted to stain. I love using Lowe's metallic paints on these signs...comes out looking like it was cast in bronze.

[DickB]

West epoxy is good stuff. With MDF I would always worry about even a tiny breach getting in, but it sounds like you have had good results with it.

Can you be more specific on the paints? Brand, and spray or brush?

[Digitalwoodshop]

How do you deal with holes from mounting hardware?

AL

[carrothers]

I usually just spray the Lowe's metallic over both sides and the edges and then I have some "sign painters" gold that I do the numbers with. To keep from drilling holes I usually mount the house signs on the brick with Liquid Nails using a stick to hold it in place until it cures. the beauty of using the MDF if when it comes out of the CW it looks like it was "forged" or cast so I'm very careful not to sand the flat surfaces as that is what looks so great when you spray it with the metallic bronze or metallic whatever paint. I'll try and post a picture tomorrow.