If so, where is a good source for learning processes and matierials.
Know any good web sites?
Been experimenting with different finished looks.
Any info will give you good karma.
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wherever you are there you are.
Ted M. Tubbs
Johnson City Tn
tmtubbs@xtn.net
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Brian Stoddard
Expressions Signs
A few puddles east of Seattle
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The SignShop
Mendocino, California
"Where the Redwoods meet the Surf"
Since some of the signs need to go outside, I usually just paint them as I would with enamels. Then I distress them...
I hit them with a palm sander to take off the gloss. Sometimes I tip the sander to take down the paint. Then I hit it with sandpaper and take down the lettering in some areas, being careful not to make it hard to read.
Then I hit it with the hammer, scratch it with paint can opener, if small enough, flip face down on concrete floor and kick around shop... that kinda stuff.
Then I tack rag it, and hit the edges and corners with matte black kyrlon. Sometimes just spray up in air over the sign, too. Also just barely push trigger on can so it spits out paint... sorta the 'fly-speck' kinda thing.
Let dry and tack rag again. Then I hit it with some coats of satin exterior floor poly, number of coats dependent if indoor or outdoor sign.
Thats about it!
As far as faux finishes... I really like the wadded up plastic bag dipped in paint. Black paint on green or maroon background are my favorites. Plus it goes quick.
I also like that little thingie that you rock back and forth for wood graining.
Just be careful that your background doesn't distract from your copy.
HAVE FUN!! 
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Dana Aaron
ICQ# 37949659
www.sign-a-saurus.bigstep.com
Did you hear about the Buddhist who refused his dentist's Novocain, during root canal work? He wanted to transcend dental medication.
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Adrienne Morgan
Splash Signs
www.splashsigns.com
"Rainkatt' on mirc chat
A PROUD sponsor of this amazing site...U can B 2!! www.letterheads.com/supporters
"If it wasn't for signs, you wouldn't know where you were!!"
42 ALta Loma
Benicia, CA 94510
707-746-7847 (shop)
707-550-4553 (voicemail)
adrienne@splashsigns.com
First try and find what I already posted and ask me if you still have questions (you should) Dennis uses water based acrylic paints - I use Japans and enamels (One Shot)
PLUS acrylics, now for some effects.
The first guy I ever saw doing anything like this was Dennis Jones, the pinstriper in Whittier 25 years ago - he would paint a sign on Masonite and throw it out into Whittier Blvd., for a couple hours - instant antique!
I can't think of the title of the book I have an extra of at home - somehow I wound up with 2 - sells for $45 through SignCraft, all about marbling and faux finishes, I'd like to make someone a nice deal on it.
I've been doing this for about 10 years, Dennis G. for about 8, I think. Wish I could SHOW you...it helps a lot to see it in action.
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"If it isn't fun, why do it?"
Signmike@aol.com
Mike Languein
Doctor of Letters
BS, MS, PhD
___________________
You know what BS is, MS is More of the Same, and it's Piled Higher and Deeper here
For lettering I like Japan colors, because they dry flat (nothing "old" should ever be glossy) then sand and scatch and distress til you get the look you want. I usually use loose one-stroke letterstyles; the idea is to make them look like a "knock-out" from long ago, before helvetica and computers came along.
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"A wise man concerns himself with the truth, not with what people believe." - Aristotle
When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro. - Raoul Duke (Hunter S. Thompson)
Cam
Finest Kind Signs
256 S. Broad St.
Pawcatuck, Ct. 06379
"Award winning Signs since 1988"
I agree with Cam - use old styles in lettering and layout. You also have to use paint. Nothing shouts FRAUD worse than a vinyl sign trying to be sold as an original antique, and I've seen them. One really old letterstyle is Helvetica. I don't know how many people are aware of it but this "Brand New Helvetica" was first introduced by American Type Founders in 1880. But because of the over working from all the computers it just doesn't LOOK old.
I use Japan thinned with turpentine - not only is it dead flat but a little scrubbing goes a long way toward aging it further. Acrylic paint is darn hard to sand down, but you can crackle it real easy.
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"If it isn't fun, why do it?"
Signmike@aol.com
Mike Languein
Doctor of Letters
BS, MS, PhD
___________________
You know what BS is, MS is More of the Same, and it's Piled Higher and Deeper here
