Hello,

I just finished wrapping and coating my latest rod, a Christmas gift for my son. I painstakingly put a very nice script on the rod only to have my spar varnish run the paint. I was using Testors silver model paint.

I want to stay with the spar varnish. What paint is compatible, I dont want it to run again.

Thanks

Jess

Did you coat the thing before you put the clear on

I am thinking the Testors was Enamal which takes a long time to dry several weeks

I usually spray my lettering with two dust coats of a lacquer clear Drys faster A spray is better cause a brush on may smeer the letters Then clear I use DupliColor Auto Perfict match

Bill - willierods.com

Hi Jesse,
I mask off the decorative wrap on each side of the inscription. I then spray some Krylon Art fixative over the inscription. Do this lightly. Let it dry and repeat with the fixative. Let that dry thoroughly over night. Then apply varnish, epoxy, or Perma Gloss finish and you will be fine.

Mike Blomme

In the past, to protect the lettering, I found that my wife's laquer based hair spray worked great. I just gave a couple of quick light bursts and there was no problem using finish over it. I am not sure if there is still a laquer hair spray on the market, but it works great. There weren't any sites like this when I was trying to do what you are trying to do, so I had to do a lot of experimentation to get my rods right.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/09/2013 08:43PM by Randolph Ruwe.

Thanks for the info.

Last night I bought a metallic silver pen, I coated a scrap rod blank for a test. I will try the spar varnish over that and see what happens.

I have been using caligraphy pens with the silver paint, now I have scratches to worry about. (several tries to get script nice) Im thinking maybe I will have to use a coat of varnish first, then the ink work, then varnish over that-if its compatible.

Jess

Yep
Hair spray works well also Used it many times Think it is a sort of lacquer

Bill - willierods.com

So, do you think that hairspray will be ok over the metallic ink? After hair spray, can I coat it with spar varnish, or should I leave it alone?

I have been very pleased with the smooth, glossy look of the spar varnish... sure would like to put that over the lettering.

Thanks

Jess

Should work fine I have used it over lerering and then thread finish

To be sure try it on a piece of scrap It is always good to do a practice run

let the spray dry 1 - 2 hours

Bill - willierods.com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/10/2013 09:45AM by bill boettcher.

Ok, here is the latest on this problem...

I need to get hair spray to try this. I have samples of painted rods ready for the process.

I have tried to use a spray sealer, its made for sealing paints and fabrics (acrylic base). That failed...

So, I will be getting hairspray and try this method.

If this fails, can I just epoxy the lettering with rod finish and then put spar varnish over the top of the epoxy??

Thanks so much for your replies.
Jess

If you are brushing the spar onto and over the lettering that may be the cause
Bamboo makers mix the spar and thin it to a watery state
Then Dribble it over the rod This way no brushing This may work better for you

The hair spray should work well I run a hair dryer over any lettering to set it Two dust coats Let dry Then the spar

Bill - willierods.com

Still trying things... I have just tried a silver ink for use with a nib style pen (dip pen). It layed out ok on the blank, I left it dry, then coated it with spar varnish. Shocking. NO RUNS. This was a test piece. So... now I need to prove it on a blank.

Jesse Shipe

Hey all, Merry Christmas to all, thank you for your replies.

Jesse

My wife paints water colors and she gave me a product that she has to spray over her paintings it works great to spray over lettering. The brand name is Krylon Matte Finish she buys it in a craft store that sells painting items. On the label it reads that it eliminates glossy sheen and will not yellow. When you apply your epoxy it comes right back to a shine in the ink. I am not sure if the brand name is the same in the USA but I am sure they will have an equivalent product that will do the same job any where that art supplies are sold.