posted
I'm doing a 4x8, and the background color is salmon pink. There's too much detail for me to cut in all the letters, so I was going to coat out the background, let it dry, and then do the lettering over it.
What's the optimum "window" for working over the background? Somebody told me that I had to scuff the background for the lettering to adhere, but I've never done that before, and wanted to be sure I wasn't missing an important step. Usually I coat out one day, and paint the next day (or two if its a weekend).
Finally, I was going to try using the 1-shot Hardener/Activator catalyst on the background color to speed up the drying. How long should I wait before doing the lettering over that?
-------------------- :: Scooter Marriner :: :: Coyote Signs :: :: Oakland, CA :: :: still a beginner :: :: Posts: 1356 | From: Oakland (and San Francisco) | Registered: Mar 2001
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posted
Hiya Scooter, I've never added hardeners to 1 Shot, so maybe this is no help. I would usually wait overnight and letter the next day without any problems, but it really depends on temperature, humidity, etc. If the background sat an unusually long time, I would wipe it down with thinners and letter as usual. Are you using a pattern or going freehand?
Cheers,
Checkers
-------------------- a.k.a. Brian Born www.CheckersCustom.com Harrisburg, Pa Work Smart, Play Hard Posts: 3775 | From: Harrisburg, Pa. U.S.A. | Registered: Nov 1998
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Scooter, you shouldn't have to scuff the background, assuming you are using alkyd enamels for the ground and the lettering. Most enamels will dry enough overnight to letter on the next day, and I've had enamel grounds sit around for weeks before lettering, with no ill effects. The solvents in 1-shot are strong enough to permit adequate adhesion.
-------------------- "A wise man concerns himself with the truth, not with what people believe." - Aristotle
Cam Bortz Finest Kind Signs Pondside Iron works 256 S. Broad St. Pawcatuck, Ct. 06379 "Award winning Signs since 1988" Posts: 3051 | From: Pawcatuck,Connecticut USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Hey Scooter just get some "air-flow" (fan) over newly painted background to accelerate drying. You wait alot longer for drying than alot of us, you'll know right away if you letter something to soon.
-------------------- Rich Stebbing RichSigns Rohnert Park CA 707-795-5588 Posts: 755 | From: Rohnert Park, CA | Registered: Nov 1998
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on this job i actually sketched out the cartoon freehand and made a pounce pattern for the lettering. i applied a thin coat of the pink over my sketch (thick enough to cover the white MDO but thin enough for me to see my sketch).
i thought that other guy was nuts, since i've never had to scuff 1-shot, and never seen it done, but i make enough mistakes in a week that i figure i might as well double-check.
-------------------- :: Scooter Marriner :: :: Coyote Signs :: :: Oakland, CA :: :: still a beginner :: :: Posts: 1356 | From: Oakland (and San Francisco) | Registered: Mar 2001
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