"Milt" wrote......


I am interested in makeing some outdoor signs using my router. I
have cut out the letters and words on some finished redwood - but my
question is how do I color - or paint the routed out area like in black,
then have an unfinished surface so the writing stands out?

i have tried spraying it then sanding the surface, but the paint soks in
so much and the redwood is soft enough so that sandng the surface al but
takes out the routed letters.

I use redwood because it is good for outdoors, and is soft enough as to
easily route freehand - which is what I did.

Does anyone know the best method for this?

Someone suggested covering the face of the board with "blue tape" like for
painting - then routhing thru the tape,. spraying after the routing, then
removing the tape. I have not tried this yet.

Any ideas would be appreciated.

THANKS!
Milt


The tape you want is a "low-tack mask" available at sign supply stores. You
can buy it in 24" wide rolls. Roll it on, carve through it, paint the carve
outs and remove the mask. Sometimes you still have to sand paint that's
sprayed/ran under the tape. The brands that I have used have worked just OK.
I know of a guy who swears by Avery brand mask for it's "easy carving".