We've been called upon to modify a customer's sign which was originally done as gold leaf on a white background. Nice sign...you just can't read it. The name is carved and gold leafed...should we (a) paint over the gold leaf, say, green (b) paint the background or (c) outline the lettering.
We don't usually paint at all...strictly a vinyl shop, so I want to be very sure of what we're doing here. It seems a shame to create new sign, when this one would be useable if it were more readable.
The original artist/signmaker is no longer doing this kind of work, so going back to them for modifications is not an option.
Is it possible to paint over gold leaf, and, if so, would it require special preparation? It would seem a shame to waste the gold leaf, so if painting the background is a better option, do you have any suggestions on what colours work well with gold leaf. The sign is for a flower shop and there are two big pink flowers on the top.
Thanks for any suggestions you may have.
------------------ Diane Crowther, Metaline Graphics Ltd., Nova Scotia, Canada, ID #285
Posted by Jack Davis (Member # 1408) on :
Diane, I would rather see you go with the backqround. For ideas which I could give you many, I would rather see you look at a lot of carved and gilded samples on some of the members pages or just type in gilded signs into a search engine. A Darker color is usually my choice, and Dark Hunter Green or Evergreen should do well with a floral. It might even entice you to look into trying one from scratch.. Bronzeo
------------------ Jack Davis 1410 Main St Joplin, MO 64801
Posted by Diane Crowther (Member # 120) on :
That's what I was thinking...colour the background, and a dark green was my first inclination too. I'll look at members pages (and Signcraft too) as you suggest. Thanks.
------------------ Diane Crowther, Metaline Graphics Ltd., Nova Scotia, Canada, ID #285
Posted by John Kurtzman (Member # 1736) on :
Why not re-guild the thing???...repaint the sign,then coat the whole thing with 1 shot restoring clear, then apply the size and gold. The clear will prevent oxidization of the pigments of the background color, and give a good base for the fat oil size for the gold, which if done in a traditional manner should last for at least 10 to 25 years. I've heard of the place you are in, had a friend that ran a duck over in Pubnico in 1969... cops made him take a bum rap for poaching salmon in the Apple River as compensation, their logic being he never would of hit the duck if he wasn't trying to escape from poaching. That's only about a tank of gas away...and he must of ate the fish in transit, bones and all.
Sometimes...just sometimes, **** doesn't happen....but usually does...
------------------ Creative communication since 1959
Posted by Nevman (Member # 332) on :
You don't say whether the letters are carved in or out. If they are recessed, I would definitely paint the background. I probably would do the same if it was raised, but it's really hard to get inside the smaller letters (a,e...) without getting paint on the gold.
If they are raised, you may want to coat the whole sign with One-Shot clear or some of pierre's schtuff. Let it dry REAL good, then put low tack transfer tape over letters and trim with an exacto. Then go at it with the background color.
Good Luck!
------------------ Pat Neve, Jr. Sign Man, Inc. 4580 N. US 1 Melbourne, FL 32935 321-259-1703 signman@signmaninc.com Capt. Sign Letterville Constituent constituent: "One of the individual entities contributing to a whole"
[This message has been edited by Nevman (edited January 10, 2001).]
Posted by Valerie Connot (Member # 76) on :
Diane, We did a restoration on a carved, gold-leafed sign. Even though it looked just fine on the dark green background, we decided to set off the letters with a red outline. Everyone that looks at the sign comments on how much better the "new" sign looks. (the only change was the outline).
Anyway, the moral of this story is I might suggest starting off as cheaply as possible. You may find an outline lessons the problem. The customer will be happy because you didn't choose the most expensive solution and will tell the world how wonderful you are.
And if it doesn't solve the problem, then you can repaint the background as a last resort. IMHO.
Valerie
------------------ Valerie Connot DOA Flatliners North Wales, PA
Posted by Diane Crowther (Member # 120) on :
Thanks, all, for your advice.
J.G.Kurtzman...enjoyed the poaching story.
------------------ Diane Crowther, Metaline Graphics Ltd., Nova Scotia, Canada, ID #285
