We finished our first smalts sign a couple of weeks ago, it turned out great. Thanks to help from some of you. Now we are doing a new sign for our shop, aprox. 96"x24". My question is can i do the smalt all at once, or should i do small sections at a time? Is it tough to get an even finish when done in sections? We are using the smiths/1-Shot mix. Thanks alot for any help.
[This message has been edited by AZBrad (edited June 08, 2001).]
Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :
You can do it easily. Get a big can, like a gallon size, and punch a pattern of nail holes in the bottom. With the top removed, you can fill the can with smalt and carry it to tha sign with a cover under it. Sift it evenly over the sign surface and over do it. You can easily have a quarter inch thick layer. It all comes out evenly when you turn it over onto some newspaper for reclaiming the unused smalt. Getting the smudge on evenly and close to the same time is the tricky part. I wish you success.
------------------ The SignShop Mendocino, California "Where the Redwoods meet the Surf"
Posted by Jerry Mathel (Member # 526) on :
Hi Brad,
You should be able to do a 2x8 all at one time with no problem. If the weather is especially hot, mix a little boiled linseed oil in your Smith's/1-Shot, to slow down the drying. On a large sign, a clean painter's dropcloth works good to catch the excess smalts when you flip the sign over. Rick is right on target with the "sprinkler" can.
------------------ Jerry Mathel Jerry Mathel Signs Grants Pass, Oregon signs@grantspass.com
Posted by Brad Funk (Member # 1351) on :
Thanks fellas! I guess i should find some linseed oil, as it was 110 Phoenix today. I will post a finished pic.
I'm not sure the question was answered - do it all at once or it will show - you may wish to do it in panelling so it looks like you did it on purpose if you really need to do a little at a time.
------------------ "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
Posted by Bob Rochon (Member # 30) on :
Brad I just finished one myself and I did it in sections, Sections means I painted a section, smaltzed, painted, smaltzed...you get the picture. I just made sure I left about 5" of paint of a buffer area between sections. And I also made my breaks in inconspicuous areas where ther was little noticable background areas. For example, if you had a text then a space and then more text. I would make my break at a letter insted of the space.
Good Luck
------------------ Bob Rochon Creative Signworks Millbury, MA bob@creativesignworks.com
