Dear Ask-a-nerd. (Sign finishing and weather-proofing.)

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Re: Dear Ask-a-nerd. (Sign finishing and weather-proofing.)

Post by Geoff » Tue Nov 01, 2011 10:02 am

Zombie Gawdzilla wrote:The area the signs are in nearly virgin woodlands and a bit on the damp side so there's lots of rot around to attack the wood. If they get destroyed it will just be a chance to do them over properly. They wanted them rather quickly back in June so I just kludged up something.
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I think for something like that, kludge looks more appropriate anyway - more "rustic" than something smooth and professional. In fact, old tree branches would look better than the 2x4s, IMO, though the old paint tin works well!
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Re: Dear Ask-a-nerd. (Sign finishing and weather-proofing.)

Post by Gawdzilla Sama » Tue Nov 01, 2011 11:31 am

Geoff wrote:
Zombie Gawdzilla wrote:The area the signs are in nearly virgin woodlands and a bit on the damp side so there's lots of rot around to attack the wood. If they get destroyed it will just be a chance to do them over properly. They wanted them rather quickly back in June so I just kludged up something.
brace.jpg
I think for something like that, kludge looks more appropriate anyway - more "rustic" than something smooth and professional. In fact, old tree branches would look better than the 2x4s, IMO, though the old paint tin works well!
Yep, the marine varnish gave them a nice color (it's more "golden" than clear varnish) and the previous weathering did away with the "bright, shiny new" effect. One person actually asked me how many years we'd been using those. I'll never capture that effect with my camera, however. :sigh:
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Re: Dear Ask-a-nerd. (Sign finishing and weather-proofing.)

Post by Tero » Tue Nov 01, 2011 11:52 am

Buy enough wood for two signs. Put spare in office, with nails or screws half way thru. Cheap solution.

Or buy the cheap mail box letters. No paint needed. Glue.

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Re: Dear Ask-a-nerd. (Sign finishing and weather-proofing.)

Post by Gawdzilla Sama » Tue Nov 01, 2011 11:57 am

Tero wrote:Buy enough wood for two signs. Put spare in office, with nails or screws half way thru. Cheap solution.

Or buy the cheap mail box letters. No paint needed. Glue.
Dude, making the damn things was the fun part. "Short cuts" are not an option. :levi:

Anyway, we need two as people tend to forget the directions when they travel the one mile from the gate house to the first sign. At that point the instructions are "turn left, then bear right". About 10% wind up not making the second bit and end up at the Bat Cave. :doh:
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Re: Dear Ask-a-nerd. (Sign finishing and weather-proofing.)

Post by Schneibster » Wed Nov 02, 2011 7:48 am

Varathane or a cheap alternative, since it's no longer protected by patents. I've left a soldering iron sitting and it burned the wood... without hurting the varathane.

Spar varnish is a pretty close second, actually, if you use several coats.
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Re: Dear Ask-a-nerd. (Sign finishing and weather-proofing.)

Post by Gawdzilla Sama » Wed Nov 02, 2011 7:53 am

Schneibster wrote:Varathane or a cheap alternative, since it's no longer protected by patents. I've left a soldering iron sitting and it burned the wood... without hurting the varathane.

Spar varnish is a pretty close second, actually, if you use several coats.
The varathane was twice the cost of the marine varnish. Two coats are doing fine so far. Following the application directions carefully is helpful there.
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Re: Dear Ask-a-nerd. (Sign finishing and weather-proofing.)

Post by Schneibster » Wed Nov 02, 2011 9:11 am

There's stuff like Varathane without the boutique price, can't recall whether it was Home Depot or OSH (don't think you have OSH out there). We're too far apart for brand names to be helpful I think. It's generally something with "urethane" in the title where I've seen it, and the thinner is generally acetone. But don't quote me.
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Re: Dear Ask-a-nerd. (Sign finishing and weather-proofing.)

Post by Gawdzilla Sama » Wed Nov 02, 2011 11:42 am

Schneibster wrote:There's stuff like Varathane without the boutique price, can't recall whether it was Home Depot or OSH (don't think you have OSH out there). We're too far apart for brand names to be helpful I think. It's generally something with "urethane" in the title where I've seen it, and the thinner is generally acetone. But don't quote me.
Polyurethane?
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Re: Dear Ask-a-nerd. (Sign finishing and weather-proofing.)

Post by Schneibster » Wed Nov 02, 2011 11:57 am

I've seen plain urethane too. Dunno the difference, I just buy Varathane, which is IIRC polyurethane.
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Re: Dear Ask-a-nerd. (Sign finishing and weather-proofing.)

Post by Gawdzilla Sama » Wed Nov 02, 2011 11:59 am

Schneibster wrote:I've seen plain urethane too. Dunno the difference, I just buy Varathane, which is IIRC polyurethane.
I read the polyurethane label and it said to use marine varnish for outdoor applications. :dunno:
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Re: Dear Ask-a-nerd. (Sign finishing and weather-proofing.)

Post by Schneibster » Wed Nov 02, 2011 12:05 pm

They mean on boats.
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Re: Dear Ask-a-nerd. (Sign finishing and weather-proofing.)

Post by Gawdzilla Sama » Wed Nov 02, 2011 12:06 pm

Schneibster wrote:They mean on boats.
They have boats that are indoor only? :thinks:
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Re: Dear Ask-a-nerd. (Sign finishing and weather-proofing.)

Post by Schneibster » Wed Nov 02, 2011 12:30 pm

Snicker. They mean don't use it on boats. Like, on the hull, sailor.

Must be early there. Exhibit more hot coffee tropism.
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Re: Dear Ask-a-nerd. (Sign finishing and weather-proofing.)

Post by Gawdzilla Sama » Wed Nov 02, 2011 12:32 pm

Schneibster wrote:Snicker. They mean don't use it on boats. Like, on the hull, sailor.
The label on the poly said, "For outdoor applications use Valspar marine varnish." :dunno:
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Re: Dear Ask-a-nerd. (Sign finishing and weather-proofing.)

Post by Schneibster » Wed Nov 02, 2011 12:40 pm

It's plastic.

It decomposes under the influence of sunlight.
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