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Should I buy some proper sign-writing paint?

Discussion in 'Heritage Rolling Stock' started by flying scotsman123, Jun 6, 2018.

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  1. toplight

    toplight Well-Known Member

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    Sounds like you need to book yourself on a signwriting course. I am tempted at some stage myself, not cheap though, see here:-

    https://www.carterssteamfair.co.uk/courses.html

     
    toplight, Feb 17, 2019
    #21
  2. flying scotsman123

    flying scotsman123 Resident of Nat Pres

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    As you say, not cheap, and I'm fairly satisfied with what I'm currently doing all self taught, just these specific shadows that have me scratching my head a little.
     
    flying scotsman123, Feb 17, 2019
    #22
  3. toplight

    toplight Well-Known Member

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    Maybe just use a grey paint but very thinned with a lot of white spirit so it is a watery wash. It looks like the whole sign has faded so it may have been darker originally.
     
    toplight, Feb 17, 2019
    #23
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  4. Andy Williams

    Andy Williams Well-Known Member

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    Try adding a small amount of pale brown paint to some varnish and use that for the secondary shading. Vary the amount of brown you add until you achieve a result that you are happy with.

    Andy
     
    Andy Williams, Feb 17, 2019
    #24
  5. flying scotsman123

    flying scotsman123 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Thanks Andy, that sounds like a plan.
     
    flying scotsman123, Feb 17, 2019
    #25
  6. StoneRoad

    StoneRoad Well-Known Member

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    I've seen that type of shading done with stippling ... although I can't recall where.

    A dilute wash of either grey, brown or dark blue, is my suggestion.
     
    StoneRoad, Feb 19, 2019
    #26
  7. flying scotsman123

    flying scotsman123 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Just for the sake of completion I tried the suggestions using thinned paint but I wasn't happy and went back to my original thought of mixing some woodstain in with some varnish. Some medium oak with a touch of dark oak and I was satisfied with the result:

    IMG_20190402_091024144.jpg

    (My phone's camera lens really does need cleaning! :oops:)
     
    flying scotsman123, Apr 2, 2019
    #27
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  8. GW 5972

    GW 5972 New Member

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    Excellent job, shadow is so subtle.
     
    GW 5972, Apr 3, 2019
    #28
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  9. ghost

    ghost Part of the furniture

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    Great job Alex
    For Broadway I presume?

    Keith
     
    ghost, Apr 3, 2019
    #29
  10. flying scotsman123

    flying scotsman123 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Yes, to go in the cafe.
     
    flying scotsman123, Apr 3, 2019
    #30
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  11. Corbs

    Corbs Well-Known Member

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    I think you nailed it there, Alex
     
    Corbs, Apr 3, 2019
    #31
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  12. Martin Adalar

    Martin Adalar New Member

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    If it really wasn't painted then it could only have been a varnish fix transfer but then to justify the print run it would have had to be a standard design that was widely used.
     
    Martin Adalar, Mar 19, 2020
    #32
  13. flying scotsman123

    flying scotsman123 Resident of Nat Pres

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    I think it was fairly widely used, I've seen at least 3 in varying condition. However I did look at the original I was copying on and was fairly sure it was hand painted. Anyway I managed to reproduce it to my satisfaction, and I'm glad you brought this thread back up again as it reminded me what mix I used which was handy, as I might have one or two more to do soon.
     
    flying scotsman123, Mar 19, 2020
    #33
  14. cav1975

    cav1975 Member

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    There is of course a third option of varnish fixing transfers as used traditionally by the railways. On the Isle of Wight we have just secured a new supply of the special paper and will be having some transfers printed soon.
     
    cav1975, Mar 20, 2020
    #34
  15. gwalkeriow

    gwalkeriow Well-Known Member

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    That is excellent news Nick, I imagine that the supplier is abroad?
     
    gwalkeriow, Mar 20, 2020
    #35
  16. cav1975

    cav1975 Member

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    Indian supplier Gary, Pete found the name and I negotiated the manufacture of a special batch of paper.
     
    cav1975, Mar 20, 2020
    #36
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