What to cover my new farm sign with?

   / What to cover my new farm sign with? #1  

FTG-05

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Got a sign for the farm today. Our carpenter already painted it. The sign is designed to go and be left outside, exposed to all the elements.

It's a two piece sign, one painted white, it has the letters cut out. The piece is the background, it's painted black. The black is an enamel, not sure what the white paint is. See pic for an example of what I'm talking about.

My plan was to paint it myself, but the design doesn't really lend itself to being being repainted without screwing up the lettering - and let's face it, I'm just not that good a painter!

So, what I'd like to do for Plan B is "cover" it with something else that will protect it but let the original paint colors show through. Some type of clear protective cover that will stand up to the elements.

What am I looking for?

Thanks,


Not my sign, just an example. For my sign, the white part has cutouts for the letters and the 2nd piece below it is painted black to show the letters through.

farm-signs-7497.jpg
 
   / What to cover my new farm sign with? #2  
Got a sign for the farm today. Our carpenter already painted it. The sign is designed to go and be left outside, exposed to all the elements.

It's a two piece sign, one painted white, it has the letters cut out. The piece is the background, it's painted black. The black is an enamel, not sure what the white paint is. See pic for an example of what I'm talking about.

My plan was to paint it myself, but the design doesn't really lend itself to being being repainted without screwing up the lettering - and let's face it, I'm just not that good a painter!

So, what I'd like to do for Plan B is "cover" it with something else that will protect it but let the original paint colors show through. Some type of clear protective cover that will stand up to the elements.

What am I looking for?

Thanks,

Not my sign, just an example. For my sign, the white part has cutouts for the letters and the 2nd piece below it is painted black to show the letters through.

Something that's clear and will hold up to weather and sun.

Spar varnish is what they used to call it. Now I think you use polyurathane. Just make sure it's exterior grade.
 
   / What to cover my new farm sign with? #3  
..................The sign is designed to go and be left outside, exposed to all the elements....................For my sign, the white part has cutouts for the letters and the 2nd piece below it is painted black to show the letters through.....................
farm-signs-7497.jpg

Sounds like you aren't confident about the first statement. If the construction is as I understand it, I wouldn't be either. Using two separate pieces of material with the first cut through creates opportunities for moisture to enter at each letter as the materials expand and contract (and make small gaps). Survival will depend a lot on how well the two pieces resist separating.
 
   / What to cover my new farm sign with?
  • Thread Starter
#4  
Yea, I would have preferred to have painted it myself but it is what it is. He wouldn't take any money for it so I really can't complain too much.

I just want to make it last, because it does look pretty good!
 
   / What to cover my new farm sign with? #5  
Spar varnish / spar urethane is tough and long lasting, and holds up well in the sun -- it's what we used on the exterior stained trim on our home, and it has done well. However, you need to know what you're putting it on top of and whether it's compatible (same goes for anything, I suppose). I know it does well over the top of oil-based stain, but anything else would need some research.

If you don't know what the white paint is, it may be a gamble to try and coat it with anything. May even be a gamble to coat the black paint. Paints are sealants themselves, and I am not sure how they'd behave getting top-coated by a different product. Behavior in heat/cold could cause issues for sure.
 
   / What to cover my new farm sign with? #6  
I would do nothing at all. While you're waiting for the paint to deterioate I would check into buying a piece of outdoor rated white plastic. Then cut the letters out of it. Paint the under material black and hang the white plastic over it.

Doug in SW IA
 
   / What to cover my new farm sign with? #7  
How are the 2 pieces held together - and can you get them apart without damaging either?
If you can get them apart, then you can reassemble them with a good, all weather adhesive/sealant.
Maybe try a marine epoxy, to avoid the problem chim describes.
I'd let that cure for a week or two, then hit it with some clear enamel, like Rustoleum makes, to finish the job?
 
   / What to cover my new farm sign with? #8  
Last time I used spar varnish, on my front door, it yellowed with age and exposure the the weather.
 
   / What to cover my new farm sign with? #9  
Spar or marine varnish contain UV blockers and generally are oil based. The oil is what yellows with age resulting in that golden color that we are familiar with.
For a true clear protection you might just want to consider 'clear coat' as used on automotive finishes.
 
   / What to cover my new farm sign with? #10  
Clear shrink wrap. (I'm just yolking). Next time make the sign with poly letters from Michaels or Hobby Lobby. They are available in large sizes and are hard to scramble. If they is no shade available keep them sunny side up to avoid fading. Hope you used egg-shell ceiling paint for the whites...
 

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