I'm trying to finish painting my first cedar sign. It's rather large and the frame is being painted with 1 coat primer, and 2 coats 1-shot. My problem is that that final coat didn't go on as smoothly as I expected, and is taking forever (so-far 3 days)to dry and it's still tacky in places. Also , assuming it was dry yesterday, I touched it with the side of my hand and left a print. Yikes! This is a 2 sided sign, so eventually I need to flip it and paint the other side without damaging the paint on THIS first side. Double Yikes!!
ANYWAY, given this scenario, how would a more experienced sign painter proceed from here.
As always, thanks for your help!
Jennifer
Posted by Jillbeans (Member # 1912) on :
Jennifer, is there a lot of dampness in the air? And why did the 1-Shot require 2 coats? Did you re-coat too quickly? Did you add any hi or low-temp reducers or hardener? Can you put it out into the sun? Sometimes that helps. Love....jill
Posted by Jennifer Craig (Member # 3411) on :
Hi Jill, Thanks for the quick reply! -This is the Seattle area, so the dampness may be a factor. -I have been told by several sign people in the area that to get the sign to hold up outdoors here on the coast 2 coats are needed. - I think the first coat was good and dry, I sanded lightly and removed all dust carefully before starting that second coat. -Yes I did put a tiny bit of the 1-shot reducer in, thinking that a little bit thinner paint would flow better. It didn't seem to make a big difference on that front. -I WILL try to get it out in the sun today.
Thanks again, and I hope you have a great weekend.
Jennifer
Posted by W. R. Pickett (Member # 3842) on :
... You can also try putting a fan near to blow on it.
...One shot is NOT you best option for longevety. It's for lettering. Use exterior latex housepaint for long life.
Posted by Jennifer Craig (Member # 3411) on :
Thanks WR,
I haven't used the fan because my shop's too dusty. Guess I should clean house.
I hope the remnants of these hurricanes don't hit you too hard.
Thanks for the help!
Jennifer
Posted by Alan Ackerson (Member # 3224) on :
Hi Jennifer,
To answer your question about coating both sides of the board...there are two ways.
First you can put a few screws in the end of your board and place some 2x4s across your horses/table. When you lay your panel down the screws should rest on the 2x4s and suspend the bottom side above the table.
The other way is to take some thin wood and put some screws through it. Lay the wood down so the screws stick up. Then you can rest your painted side on the screws and paint the other side. Watch you don't scratch things up if doing it this way especially if only three of the 4 points (screw heads)are supporting the board at one time.
The first method is easier if working alone. If the screws are in straight it is easy to flip the board over using the screws as handles. There will be some touch up using either method. A couple dabs of paint will cover/ fill the marks and some wood filler if putting the screws in the side.
There may be a link to this tip somewhere here in Letterville or maybe the Signcraft site. "Working with MDO" by Ray Chapman.
Hope this was a good enough explanation. Any questions call or e-mail.
Posted by Laura Butler (Member # 1830) on :
Did you thin the 1 shot down at all. If you did and used paint thinner, that could have done it. This happened to me until my Sherwin Williams manager discussed the difference between Paint Thinner (even though on the cans it says mineral spirits)and Mineral Spirits. Paint thinner is a form of mineral spirits and is cheaper but that is because its not as pure as real mineral spirits.
I was spraying 1 shot once and thinned with thinner. The stuff never did dry. When I was using 1 shot, the first coat I would thin with linseed oil and mineral spirits so that it was kinda runny and would seep into the grain good. I have since switched to painting my backgrounds with latex.
Posted by Kissymatina (Member # 2028) on :
A dehumidifier can help especially if it's cloudy & the air is damp.
Posted by Sheila Ferrell (Member # 3741) on :
Jenny Craig??? WHERE have I her'd that name. . . . .
I agree with using the One-shot for lettering only . . . some folks use good exterior latex paints for back grounds and I have done that too, as well as almost exclusively using oil-based industrial enamels for this which tends to dry faster.
You probably needed to thin the paint a little. I use a mid-temp reducer, commonly used to reduce automotive paints. This seems to help speed drying time.
So much for suggesting you put it in the sun.
Alabama humidity is maddening too . . . . .
It does have it's good side when I'm behind on gettin' the sign done:
"I'm sorry I can't deliver the sign . . you KNOW this humidity will NOT let this paint dry . . . will try to deliver near the end of the week..."
And it's bad side . . .when I really need to deliver 'cause the check IS READY and I need the bread, the humidity will NOT let the paint dry .....
OK Jenny . . .I bet you prolly a'reddy heard this joke but here goes . . . mabey someone will enjoy it on a friday afternoon . .
The Devil was very busy admitting people into hell. He was throwing them into the massive fire & brimstone, one after the other . . .but every so often, he would throw one over to the side.
His impish aide noticing this asked, "Why are you throwing these to the side??"
The devil said, "Oh them . . .they're from Seattle. They're too wet to burn."
Posted by Dale Feicke (Member # 767) on :
I don't think I've ever had a problem with painting the sign out with 1-Shot, although I usually don't...mainly due to the cost of the stuff. I usually use some other brand of oil base enamel, or sometimes latex for posts or framing.
I'm guessing your drying problem is a combination of factors, between the humidity, and the fact that cedar has a lot of sap in the wood, that could combine to keep the paint 'sticky'. I guess the fan would be the best solution...and time. If there is a next time, maybe rig up some type of framework, or hang the sign from the rafters with the poles resting on the floor. That way, you can paint out the whole thing at once. Good luck.
Posted by Ray Rheaume (Member # 3794) on :
Jennifer,
Typically, I don't use One Shot for a backround colors. When I do, I use 2 coats of sandable primer to get the smooth finish and try to thin the One Shot as little as possible to keep the coverage. Using hardener adds some durabilty to the finish, but without it, I find a couple of coats of OS will always be soft enough to leave a fingernail mark in.
Hope this helps... Rapid
Posted by Jennifer Craig (Member # 3411) on :
Well! I turn on the computer this morning and find suggestions from all you helpful people. Shoot!!!! I should have asked you before I started! Today there are still soft sections after 7 days. It wouldn't be so bad except they are SO much shinier than the rest of the frame. It looks REALLLY funky. I know EXACTLY what I'll do next time, but I'm still worried about THIS sign. Is there any reasonable way to remove this very troubled layer of paint, or even ALL the frame paint, and START OVER? I've brought the sign from the shop into the house where the air's a little dryer and higher temp. No sun...so that's not a possibility.
SHEILA, You've got Seattle pegged alright, especially this time of year, where everyone carries the W-D 40 for use on the joints before attempting any stretching or squatting.
Thanks again, everyone, for all the input, I've learned a LOT, especially for NEXT time.
Jennifer
Posted by Sheila Ferrell (Member # 3741) on :
Jennifer,
You could, in all actuality use solvent and a paint scraper to remove all the oil based paint down to the primer and when it's finally "dry" sand and re-paint . .. or use stripper and take it down to bare wood and go from there . . . .
At least it'll come off really easy cause it ain't cured, but the mess is really un-fun . . .
Ask me how I know . . . .LOL
In an ideal world, you can just ask the customer for an extension on delivery . . .
I always like to SEE if it's an ideal world by at least asking anyway . .
The worst they can say is no and then there's STILL nothing they can do about it . . . .but they did have the OPTION, and were given the courtesy of knowing why it was taking so long. . . . .'sides, you can do a lot of other jobs while watching paint dry . . .
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