painting/staining advice needed

[myxpykalix]

I made a "Welcome to our Home" plaque for my realtors daughter and husband complete with profiles of both of them inside a heart (they just got married) that i made in 3d.

It will be outside covered on a porch but he wants the letters painted and the rest i want to stain with something like a gelstain to bring out the details in the faces.

Since all the signs i've made for Hightech signs here, i just cut them out and they finish them, i'm unclear on the the best way to paint/stain this.

It is made of poplar and i guess i need to know should i paint the letters first, then stain the rest? If so how would i do that in a way not to mess the paint up?
I have not vcarved the letters yet, but i don't have any paint mask either.
What specifically would make a good color/type stain to bring out the details and contrast for the paint and stain combo?:confused:

[joe]

Jack,

Poplar is a poor choice for anything outside. It will crack within six months and go down hill from there.

Sikkens is a good choice for stains but not too good if you're V Carving. Please show what the panel will look like.

[myxpykalix]

Poplar is a poor choice for anything outside It's a little late now...:eek:

As long as it isn't exposed to direct weather i'm hoping it will last a while. I was thinking some type of gelstain to bring out the details of the 3d but didn't know what type of paint might be ok with it?

[shilala]

I'd just use latex paint. Mostly cause it'll edge good and you can scratch off screw-ups with an xacto knife or sanding block.
Then I'd cover the whole thing, front and back, with a good non-yellowing UV marine poly. Helmsman makes good stuff.
The UV protectant might save the paint from losing it's color.

Any kind of stain will bring out the 3d elements. The flatter spots will take less stain than the curved parts cause the curved parts are open grain.

I normally use acrylic on outside stuff because it's got a lot more pigment than latex and covers quicker, but I think the latex would just work better with poplar. And it'll be a lot easier for you to handle.

[joe]

Jack,

You've been in this business long enough to know which materials to use outside. Poplar doesn't have a inter-locking grains pattern which makes it temperature adverse. Not to mention it's intolerance to indirect moisture.

Joe

[Chuck Keysor]

Jack, I'm with Joe on this, as poplar is famous for being a terrible outside wood. Either tell the couple this is for inside, or use this one as a practice piece and make the next one out of something that will hold up outside. You don't want your work to go to waste. Chuck

[bleeth]

So if customer insisted on using poplar for anything not indoors I would tell them to find someone else. Bottom line is, when it goes bad you will get the blame, besides demeaning yourself for doing half-ass work.

[myxpykalix]

Dave,
If i wanted demeaning comments i would have asked Brady...give me a break.:mad:

I have no problem with constructive criticism, That why i ask for advice, because of the wealth of knowledge here, not comments demeaning my work.

My mother taught me long ago "if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all"....

It was meant to be on a covered inside porch not exposed to the elements (no sun, rain, snow only cold) i'm sorry i didn't make that clear enough.

I was looking for advice on the best type of gelstain/stain to bring out the details but also a good polyurethane to give it a dull matte type finish.

[joe]

Jack, Jack, Jack, it's all been answered many times before. Please do your research.

[curtiss]

How can such a bad wood still be so popular ???

Learn something every day.

[shilala]

...but also a good polyurethane to give it a dull matte type finish.
That Helmsman spar satin (http://www.amazon.com/Minwax-43205-Helmsman-Urethane-Clear/dp/B000VZJGTK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1419077745&sr=8-2&keywords=helmsman+marine+poly#customerReviews) I mentioned is good stuff, Jack.
The full cure time is about a week, if I remember correctly.

I wouldn't use gelstain at all. Regular stain and give it 15 minutes.
If it gets in corners, overdries, or any of that kind of thing, just use a good paintbrush and lots of mineral spiraits to clean it up.
I blow all the cracks and crevices out with air.
That way there's no residual stain to weep up into the poly and change the appearance of what you don't want changin.
Good Luck, brother!!!

[joe]

Curtis,

This isn't a bad wood, it's the application which is in question.

Joe

[Brady Watson]

If i wanted demeaning comments i would have asked Brady...give me a break.:mad:

True friends let you know when you are being stupid. It's equally bad to take offense, as it is to give it.

-B

[kurt_rose]

Hey! I think I read that in a fortune cookie once! :cool: