posted
need help achieving lettering with a concrete look.
i am trying splattered look on precut vinyl lettering with two-tone outline. is it done with a toothbruch? is there a trick to getting the right amount of paint?
the paint is going on too clumpy and i'm covered! there must be an easy way? help...
Posts: 52 | From: Dighton, MA, USA | Registered: Jun 1999
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posted
I do a fair amount of fauxing....and I love imitation rock finishes. Joey's question is the key to what you are trying to do. Thin your paint to a consistancy of half and half...pour a small amount into a shallow tray (I save meat trays) and dip the brustles in it. Tap off the excess so you don't get a lot of big drips and use a stick like an old bamboo chop stick to spray the paint onto your surface. Hard for me to explain without being able to show you. But I think you know what I mean. Use lighter and darker shades of your backround color to get a realistic effect. Have a sample of the type of concrete you are trying to imitate near you as referance. That's how I'd do it. There are many here who do faux panels, they may have a different technique. I'd like to learn more. Mike Languein has many....YO! MIKEY!!!
posted
This is my first post so this my sound choppy becouse I do not type well at all. I have found that if you thin the paint 50/50 the tooth brush will work fine but it will still be pretty messy. I just did a truck for a concrete company that used a printed vinyl that looked like marble. The brand was avery and it looked great as a back ground. There is also a trick using an airbrush and a scrap of cardboard. If you have one hold the cardboard to the tip of the airbrush at a 45 degree angle. Spray the air brush in a faning motion letting the paint build up on the end of the cardboard. This gives a great effect but it still is messy. Good Luck
-------------------- Ryan Young Indocil Art & Design indocil@comporium.net 803-980-6765
I highjacked Letterville!! Winter Muster 2004 Posts: 904 | From: Rock Hill, SC | Registered: Sep 2001
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-------------------- Ken McTague, Concept Signs 57 Bridge St. (route 107) Salem MA 01970 1-978-745-5800 conceptsign@yahoo.com http://www.pinheadlounge.com/CaptainKen
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"A wise man once said that, or was it a wise guy?" Posts: 2425 | From: Salem, MA | Registered: Apr 1999
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posted
I've used so many different toys for patterns and textures including a rubberband kiddie art brush, natural sponge and a host of screens, grates and what else I have around the house that I can shoot paint through whether by brush or spray. Even used smoke from a torch back in the early days. There are so many textures in which you can make with designs just with things you have thrown away. Experiment and find something new!
-------------------- HotLines Joey Madden - pinstriping since 1952 'Perfection, its what I look for and what I live for'
posted
The easiest way, and probably the least messy is an effect called stippling. You can use an airbrush, or even a bigger gun if you have a larger area. I usually thin the paint a little thinner than normal spray consistancy. Then you just turn down the air pressure until you get the effect you want. The lower the pressure, the bigger the drops. This same effect was used on the "old" car paints for cobwebbing.
posted
thanks everyone for your help. good advice. the airbrush will have to wait though.
thank you adrienne for the bamboo idea. i was just flicking the brush (which i broke..augh) i think i have the idea. i did a test, but i'll improve on it again.
you guys are awesome!!!
Posts: 52 | From: Dighton, MA, USA | Registered: Jun 1999
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For a "concrete" look, I like to use a couple of shades of gray and stipple them on lightly with a piece of natural sponge. Finish it off by flicking a few paint boogers on with a popsicle stick and presto...."concrete".
-------------------- Jerry Mathel Retired Grants Pass, Oregon signs@grantspass.com
Posts: 916 | From: Grants Pass, OR USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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posted
it is ironic you asking how to make a concrete texture because i am at the shop on a saturday morning working on a concrete cutting company's big service truck.
a field of concrete goes on first as i mask the edges with 2" applicaton tape. like jerry i use a natural sea sponge with 3 different shades of grey. i use an old tooth brush to "flick" the paint.
after this is dry i define the edges with a bevel using sign clear finish and tinting it with black or white so the texture shows through the glaze.
here is a photo of one of the trucks, sorry for the far away shot but it is all i have.
[ September 29, 2001: Message edited by: Mark Fair Signs ]
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If you can't use an airbrush, try a scrub brush instead of a toothbrush. I get the ones with the little handles on them, you can find them in the cleaning goods department in the grocery store, they are usually about three by five and move A LOT of paint and will cover a big area. I usually load about half the brush, make one run to get rid of the excess and have at it. I use latex gloves to cut down on the mess.
-------------------- George Perkins Millington,TN. goatwell@bigriver.net
"I started out with nothing and still have most of it left"
posted
Splattering on pre-cut vinyl? I'll assume that the letters are weeded and remain on the backing paper (I usually do the painting before the cutting).
If you use krylon on vinyl it holds up very well. Prep it by scuffing it and then clean it with alcohol.
I can make a simple platter effect by taking an exacto blade and reaming it in and around the hole of the spray nozzle... just enough to enlarge the hole. Shake it up and spray it on. Experiment on some scrap first.
Clear everything and then put on the plotter. I have done this with pre-cut letters, you'll have paint that wont stick to the waxed backing paper surface.
Remember to tell the customer that this took days to create and that you are one to be admired.
-------------------- Jeff Vrstal Main Street Signs 157 E. Main Street Evansville, WI 53536 1-608-882-0322
posted
well, i just read all the replies now the end of the day. BUT i had success anyhow! everything's drying.
but, i now learned a little something from everyone and
MARK i couldn't see the photo too well. can you let me know what you did again slowly...?
i precut the lettering for two trucks and cut a stencil using cheap translucent vinyl for the outline so the paint doesn't go there and it comes off easily enough after,
thinned the one shot a little and then added a little "frog juice". used a toothbruch and stick and flicked away. maybe i'll clear it all with frog juice when its on the truck.
now of course it took way longer than it usually does, so i'm going to have trouble with what to charge for this work of art!
i love this bullboard!
Posts: 52 | From: Dighton, MA, USA | Registered: Jun 1999
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