How To Paint Rustic Signs

I want this to be more of a painting tutorial than anything, but I need to just give a little back story to the project itself so I will start off with the designing of these signs. I was contacted by Artisan Design Group of Atlanta to produce seven aged signs for an Irish Pub they were designing. The theme was the old world, and the seven Celtic Nations were the main subject.

• Modeling Signs Modeling Signs
• Modeling Signs Modeling Signs
• Modeling Signs Modeling Signs
•  

This design was all setup with Aspire by Vectric. We wanted to be careful that the wood grain will be running in a consistent direction, the above graphics are just renderings and not actually what we used to cut. Typically you would want the grain to run parallel to the longest edge of your sign. Aspire III makes this part of the process a breeze. If you are getting into CNC routering/sign making, or cabinet making, this program is THE one to have!

Step 2: Dark Wood Staining 

• Step2: Stain Step2: Stain
• Step2: Stain Step2: Stain
• Step2: Stain Step2: Stain
•  

You would typically want to get some  dark stain laid down as a foundation for your distressed signs. I like to put at the very minimum of two coats of stain at this stage. The reason we're going so heavy is that when we eventually sand the signs to give them a distressed look, we don't expose the fresh looking wood. So you want the stain to really penetrate the wood as deep as possible and then for good measure at least a second to third coating of a dark stain.

Step 2: Summary

• Dark Stain
• Multiple Coats

Step 3: Painting

• Distressed Painting Distressed Painting
• Distressed Painting Distressed Painting
• Distressed Painting Distressed Painting
•  

Next up is to paint the signs and make them look as good and fresh as you possibly can. It seems ridiculous to try and make something look nice knowing you are going to destroy it real shortly. After awhile you come to terms with the kind of necessary evil.

Step 3: Summary

• Multiple Layers
• Authentic Appearance

Step 4: Sanding 

• Antiquing/Distressing Antiquing/Distressing
• Antiquing/Distressing Antiquing/Distressing
• Antiquing/Distressing Antiquing/Distressing
•  

You may want to use many layers of paint when distressing, it usually looks better and more authentic in the end. When you are sanding through layers, it can appear more dramatic and realistic by having multiple layers.

So once you are satisfied with your paint job and you think it represents the era it was intended for you can move onto sanding. I like to start out with some heavier grit sand paper like 80-100 grit and then just move my way up to a 150 and eventually a 220. This should give you a good aged look in most applications.

Step 4: Summary

• Sand in Stages 80-220 grit

Finished: Rustic, Distressed, Aged Signs Gallery

• Finished Signs Finished Signs
• Finished Signs Finished Signs
• Finished Signs Finished Signs
• Finished Signs Finished Signs
• Finished Signs Finished Signs
• Finished Signs Finished Signs
• Finished Signs Finished Signs
• Finished Signs Finished Signs
• Finished Signs Finished Signs
•  

In the end, you can see why people would want to have a distressed sign. They are actually fun to make and the hard work can pay off with knowing you are able to recreate the past for someone else, or maybe if you're lucky you could make a distressed sign or decor item for yourself! You can see more of my distressed signs here.

Melissa Jones - Nice Carvings Tutorials