sign lettering

[poppop]

I'm making a sign for the entrance to my church -I thank you all for the help in cutting the letters. I am going to use gold lettering (exterior) paint. I was considering using glass beads to make ie more reflective. Does anyone have any experience with glass beads and their effectiveness?thanks poppop

 

[rickc]

What about something like these reflective beads? I have never used them, but they sound promising. (I did a search for reflective beads on Google, and these were one of the first hits.)

 

[Mike Davis]

I have used 3-M reflective beads, they are very expensive but do a great job and last a long time.

You can apply them to the fresh paint when it gets to the tacky stage or apply a coat of marine spar varnish to adhere the beads.

Again just pour them on at the tacky stage and brush off the excess after the paint completely dries.

 

[poppop]

Thanks mike thats what i'll try

 

[Ken Massingale]

I've used golf leaf tissue from craft shops and also gold leaf pens. Both have stood up very well on exterior weather exposed signs. The gold leah tissue needs a clear coat. The pens need to state interior/exterior and I was surprised they are holding up to weather excellently.

 

[Mike Davis]

The stuff from craft shops is anodized aluminum or gold foil mylar.

Real 24 K gold leaf does not need any kind of topcoat. I still have a few books, well actually I gave it to my oldest daughter to use on her alter paintings. I used to do gold leaf windows for Drs., lawyers and uh... movie shops. Funny how the highest and lowest of society have the same tastes.

I have my brush box from the first sign shop I ever worked in, my name is done in gold leaf on the lid and still shines after 35 years.