Embossed letters

Hi, I'm a newbie here, just need some advice on refinishing a WD-12 I just got. About the embossed lettering, it is best to paint it by hand or tape it off ( yuck, my hands hurt already)?
Any help or thoughts is appreciated.

Frank

Painting by hand is the way to do it. The question will be, do you do it or do you have someone else do it? The answer will come from you of course. My first hand painting job was on the front of a vendo 23 deluxe and it came out very well. If you are confident and talented, do it. If you are at all unsure, pass it off to someone with experience.

Nate

Thank you for your reply Nate.

Confident, yes.  Dont know about the talent part thou. '>
What type of paint do you use for the hand painting, same
as the rest of cooler (automotive).

Frank

I wouldn't use automotive paint, it's kind of transparent for paintbrush use. You need something very opaque. One-Shot lettering paint works well, art supply places have it.

Nate

What type of paint do you use for the cooler body?
I should of asked this first, but, I just assumed automotive paint was the best for painting a cooler.

Frank

Oh, sorry for the confusion. I use Automotive paint for the body, OR if you fully strip it you can get the whole deal powder coated, a very nice and durable alternative. I use the one shot for the letters only. If you need red and white paint codes I can get them off the cans tonight.

Nate

Nate, Thank you VERY much for your help.
I really appreciate it.
If you get a chance the paints codes would be great
Again, Thanks

Frank

Quote (Nate @ Feb. 18 2003,4:02)

You need something very opaque. One-Shot lettering paint works well, art supply places have it. Nate

Nate,
 Is the White "one shot" lettering paint a good looking white for the logo?
I am getting ready to do my first try at renovating my standard master wet chests and have been looking at a # of options for the lettering(it is the only thing holding me back from starting).
Also, do you have paint codes? I have several i got from the web so far(PPG, dupont and Dulux), but would look a variety to choose from if you have different. I have used Dimension(Sherwin Williams)paint on most my vehicles and love working with it. The more #'s i have the better chance i have they can cross reference the formula for me.
thanks

[Jim]

I'm not sure if One-Shot has added any new "White" Colors to their paint line, but I've used the White they offer and it looked great!

I'll be the first to never judge anyone's ability or knowledge, but sign painting/lettering is definately an art and should be approached from that point of view.

May I suggest you practice lettering prior to attempting to letter your cooler because I to have attempted this and was very unhappy with my results... You may however be a talented/steady-handed person that could accomplish such as task... Just a suggestion before possibly make a mistake that can be prevented especially if you can learn it from the voice of another...

Quote (Jim @ Aug. 27 2003,2:06)

May I suggest you practice lettering prior to attempting to letter your cooler because I to have attempted this and was very unhappy with my results... You may however be a talented/steady-handed person that could accomplish such as task... Just a suggestion before possibly make a mistake that can be prevented especially if you can learn it from the voice of another...

thank you...I am heading out to take a look at the products now.
i am defintiely practicing first...before i bead blast. I have 2 "wet chests" and a pcinic cooler to do so on. The "keeper" will be the last item painted, so hopefully by that time i will have a good idea. I am a painter by trade, painting houses for a living and a few cars as well, so my hand is pretty steady with a brush. However , I realize "lettering" is an artform all its on.
thanks for the input

[MoonDawg]

Here's my trick. Spray paint all letters white with automotive paint. Allow to cure fully.
       Spray red with a two-part paint. I use Chromobase.
The color goes on dry and dull, and never hardens  or shines until covered with it's clear coat.
        Spray one side of the box with red, wait 30 minutes, and begin wiping the red paint off the letters, spraying a light solvent (pre-cleano) on a paper towel and cleaning in a circular motion on the top of the letters. Be sure to absorb the red, not just knock it over the edges. You will begin to see nice clear white letters emerge, with edges a pinstriper would adore.
(and no brush strokes).
         If your happy with your work, continue on the other sides, one at a time, paint removes easiest when fresh.
         Last, spray the whole box with the clear-coat and watch your work become a masterpiece! Red now shines brilliant, and white paint is locked under clear, and cannot be buffed off by cleaning.
         A picnic cooler is great practice!                  Glen

[Jim]

Very interesting...

Can you show us a close up photo of the end results on any of your machines...?

[Jim]

Here's a photo Glen sent for everyone to see what the final results looks like...

What trouble are you having with attaching files, Glen...?

[MoonDawg]

The entire top of this door was painted red first.(when spraying only the lettered area, the overcoat often wants to react around the edges of the undercoat). Covering the whole top left no ring around the letters. For a large chest this would be too expensive, so colors must be blended together. A fine sandpaper works fine
     If you choose to blend in the halo with primer, avoid spraying the letters. Primer does not remove as easily as the chromobase, and will show up on the edges of the letters, (right between the two colors).
      When spraying, shoot light coats,several times,let dry.
      I can't stress enough......go slow!!!                         Shoot too much paint too fast, you will wish you had just let the kids paint those letters for you.
     '>     Hope this helps......                         Glen

[davet426]

(MoonDawg @ Aug. 27 2003,8:16)

QUOTE

Here's my trick. Spray paint all letters white with automotive paint. Allow to cure fully.
       Spray red with a two-part paint. I use Chromobase.
The color goes on dry and dull, and never hardens  or shines until covered with it's clear coat.
        Spray one side of the box with red, wait 30 minutes, and begin wiping the red paint off the letters  Glen

Glen that Pepsi machine looked awesome! I am going to try this on my cooler.

If I do this will I need to paint the whole cooler white? I noticed someone said you could feather it, would that be just paint the side with coke and feather the edges in to the primer? Seems like a waste to paint the whole cooler unless it makes the difference in the outcome.

I don't understand automotive paint? Can you be more specific?

Thanks!

[MoonDawg]

(davet426 @ Dec. 07 2006,4:13)

QUOTE

If I do this will I need to paint the whole cooler white?

I don't understand automotive paint? Can you be more specific?

Paint the letters and feather around them is OK. It will then take more red paint to hide the white halo underneath.
      Automotive paint  is tough.........not  like spray can or brush on paint

[zadd]

My two sense. I like to paint the machine white first or what ever color your embossing single stage paint (cheaper).3 to 4 coats over the embossing area ,Let that cure for a few days or bake it in a paint booth. then sand out any imperfections. Paint the machine the main body color, base coat let that dry. And then take a small wooden block, and wet sand one by one the raised area with 1000 git until the first color start to appear ,touch up any small sand threw on the corner edges ,then clear coat the whole thing. Show quality results. Kinda hard to explain '> Same as wiping off the paint just nicer edges.