Filling in centerline letters

[Rob]

I have been trying to create a few carvings that have words carved into the design. In finishing, I want to fill in the letters so that they are easier to read. My wife has some small paintbrushes that she has attempted to fill in the letters and it always smears and doesn't look good. We have tried filling them in and then sanding over them to get any bleed from the wood surface. That doesn't work. We have attempted fine paint pens, fin markers, etc that fill in the bottom of the letter and not the edges, then they don't look and don't have the depth.

I have nearly gave up, then was in a shop a couple of weeks ago and found a project that someone else had done and now know it is doable. A pic of their project is attached.

HOW THE HECK DO I FILL IN THE LETTERS TO MAKE IT LOOK THAT GOOD - LOL?? I mean, their letters, logo, etc. looks great.

[henry1]

I have been trying to create a few carvings that have words carved into the design. In finishing, I want to fill in the letters so that they are easier to read. My wife has some small paintbrushes that she has attempted to fill in the letters and it always smears and doesn't look good. We have tried filling them in and then sanding over them to get any bleed from the wood surface. That doesn't work. We have attempted fine paint pens, fin markers, etc that fill in the bottom of the letter and not the edges, then they don't look and don't have the depth.

I have nearly gave up, then was in a shop a couple of weeks ago and found a project that someone else had done and now know it is doable. A pic of their project is attached.

HOW THE HECK DO I FILL IN THE LETTERS TO MAKE IT LOOK THAT GOOD - LOL?? I mean, their letters, logo, etc. looks great.

would like to help do you have team viewer that I can get on your computer and help you or you can call me I will send you a private message

[Deolman]

I finish the entire surface using shellac including the carved portions. Sometimes a couple of coats. This seals the pores in the wood. I then use either a paint pen or a brush to ad the colors I want.

[myshop1044]

Rob , I did center line lettering, then put a sealer in the letters, then sand lightly off the excess , then paint over lettering and again sand off the excess

[fwharris]

After staining I put on a couple of light coats of spray lacquer, some use shellac, and then paint. Doing so it prevents bleeding and you can easily wipe off any big goofs. After the paint dries you can lightly sand off any over paint. Do to test runs on some scrap to get a good feel for it.

[DickB]

Spray stencil ink, then sand.

[Digitalwoodshop]

I use latex paint and lp air to blow the excess out of the letters. After dry, sand flush then stain. The trick is to use thick latex paint rather than thin spray paint that wicks.

[blantz]

I have used colored wood filler (white) with good results.

[Rob]

would like to help do you have team viewer that I can get on your computer and help you or you can call me I will send you a private message

Hi Henry, I do not have team viewer, but am familiar with it. I believe my problem is on the finishing technique of actually painting the letters rather than using Centerline. Do you see it differently. I'd love it if you could show me the finishing technique on the actual piece of wood. <Smile>

[Rob]

Wow, seems easy and I was over complicating it. Thank you everyone. In general I am hearing:
- Stain (if needed) then seal with shellac or lacquer.
- paint using latex (not acrylic like I was using)
- consider spray painting vs brush painting (maybe even spray stencil paint)
- let dry
- sand over the top to remove paint from surface

** perform tests before doing it on a real piece to perfect technique

If I missed anything, let me know.

Thanks so much!
Rob