So I have a red cedar handle unfinished that I am having laser engraved with Initials. My question is, what is the best way to paint the engraving? Do I stain it first? I was told not to stain it and just epoxy the entire handle but that was before I decided to have it engraved and wanted paint in the engraving? Any help?

Thanks !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

are you going to stain it ?? or leave it natural ??
if you going to stain it do it and then highlight the initials what ever color you choose then finish it

The best day to be alive is always tomorrow !!
Think out side the box when all else fails !!!
Wi.

I was told not to but would be open to staining it. I definitely know I want to epoxy it and have a nice clear finish on it. I was hoping I could paint on the letters then wipe clean and then epoxy it but not sure if it would work..... I really don't mind staining it but not sure what type to use.

Ok I wouldn't stain it either as for coloring the letters I would use a fine tip nib pen tip or just the tip of a skewer and be delicate applying the color so you don't over run the engraving and then let the color dry after that proceed with the final finish.
my reason for suggesting you do it that way is ceder wood tends to easily take color because it is a porous grain wood so once it is on you will have a problem getting it out of the grain. and your handle will show flecks of the color you used for the initials so easy does it and hurry up and take your time to achieve a good result

The best day to be alive is always tomorrow !!
Think out side the box when all else fails !!!
Wi.

Ask the engraver to lay a piece of tape down, engrave the handle through the tape, and leave the tape on. Then you can paint the engraving, and remove the tape.

I have done many Western Red Cedar grips. As said before, it is a very porous wood and will soak up finish. If you use some ink or paint in the engraving it will probably bleed outside of the engraving.

Any laser engraving on wood that I've seen looks like it was burned in with a fine tipped instrument. If your challenge is to make the engraving stand out, it should by it's self. The only stains/finishes I've used is Tru-Oil and wrapping epoxy. Either one or both.

Engrave the handle. Put a thin but saturating coat of epoxy on it, being sure not to fill the engraving. When the epoxy is dry, paint the engraving, wiping off the excess. Apply additional coats of epoxy.

Chris Richer
Iroquois ON

another option you have is to use ultra thin leafing material that you can get at the craft store you use it like the old press type and then coat it with finish comes in silver aluminum, real gold copper, brass.
a bit intensive to work with but the results are superb

The best day to be alive is always tomorrow !!
Think out side the box when all else fails !!!
Wi.

Or, engrave the handle with a burning iron and apply finish to the grip and move on.

I have completed a number of red cedar handles that turn out very well.

Be safe

Other examples of engraving in cedar:

[www.etsy.com]

[superiorsaunas.com]

[www.cedarsign.com]

[kingengraving.com]

[www.laserdco.com]

[www.youtube.com]

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You may try some of the ideas from these various suppliers of engraved products and apply them to the handle that you are doing.


Be safe

I like this idea, have you done it? Any tips? I saw on youtube to cover everything but the raving with tape and then put a glue down to secure it. Not sure what type of glue would be best.

Apply your finish, then take it to the engraver. When you get it back, use your finish, wiping off the excess, leaving only the lettering with paint. If you want to you can apply another coat to seal the lettering, it's not necessary to seal it at this point, but you have that option. If you try to apply a finish to the lettering before you apply finish to the grip it will bleed and will not get a crisp line. Apply your finish, engrave and then apply the contrasting color to the lettering.

Thanks for the tips sir!
I already dropped it off at the engraver so we will see what it looks like when it comes back but I will definitely take your advice on my next one!

Well, I put a 2nd layer of epoxy on the handle and it went horribly. A lot of waves. The first coat looked great. Can I do anything to fix this? Sand it down and apply one more?

Hello Andrew.

Yes, sand it till it's smooth then lay on a very thin coat.

Tight Wraps & Tighter Lines.

Bob,

New Bern, NC.

Thank you so much Bob! 220 grit? Can I just try to take off the 2nd coat or do I have to go all the way down to the wood?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/17/2017 03:28PM by Andrew Best.

Hello Andrew.

Depends on how wavy, it is, you just want to make it smooth, even and round with no waves.

Tight Wraps & Tighter Lines.

Bob,

New Bern, NC.