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  • how do I paint lettering onto windows?

    Posted by Joe Mac on 19 August 2009 at 23:46

    Hi, looking for some advice.

    Been asked to produce some painted lettering on a shop front window.

    I’ve got to copy another signwriter’s work as done on other shops. He used vinyl as a template/stencil and painted in the spaces. Cheating I know!

    Now I have to replicate this in the same colours as previous shops:- blue and red.

    Can anyone recommend a glass paint and where I can get it? It was strong / deep in colour (as seen on a previous job that I’ve to replicate). The guy says he likes this as opposed to vinyl because he likes the brush strokes and feels vinyl looks too modern (from what I saw it looked identical to vinyl anyway as I couldn’t see any strokes…perhaps they were more visible from the inside!).

    I think my best bet is anything that can be obtained from a DIY store as he’s left me no time to research…

    Thanks for any help – the job must be completed by Monday…(no pressure then!!)

    John Singh replied 16 years, 3 months ago 5 Members · 8 Replies
  • 8 Replies
  • Peter Normington

    Member
    20 August 2009 at 06:11

    I think you will need One Shot signmakers paint,
    Cherwell sign supplies stock them.
    I’m sure the brush users here will also add some advice on how best to apply

    Peter

  • Alan Drury

    Member
    20 August 2009 at 07:34

    I used to use Keeps signwriting enamel but 1 shot should be fine. At a pinch you could use a white spirit based domestic gloss. I used to have to second coat and sometimes back up with grey and varnish for opacity and durability. I used to hate wibdows, they always required several visits and cost alot compared to a van, this was pre computer days.
    Alan D

  • Neil Davey

    Member
    20 August 2009 at 08:04

    Ditto Alans advice, but if you use a mask make sure you remove before the lettering dries or you run the risk of pulling the paint off.

    Ensure the window is spotlessly clean.

    If it’s long term you will have to varnish the lettering and overlap the edge by about 1/8" to protect it. Use yacht varnish not polyurethane.

    Charge accordingly for paint as it takes alot more time to complete.

  • John Singh

    Member
    20 August 2009 at 09:12

    Ditto above

    Keeps Intenso was used a lot but hard to find stockist
    I’d keep it simple and use the one shot

    Thankfully I don’t do a lot of windows in paint
    Such a hassle

  • Jill Marie Welsh

    Member
    20 August 2009 at 10:34

    I hate to paint with a mask, makes a mess for me and then ends up looking like vinyl anyway.
    What you need to do is pen plot a pattern and tape it to the inside of the glass. Then paint the outside.
    It’s not as bad as it sounds. You may have to double-coat.
    Make sure the window is sparkling clean before painting, preferably using Bon-Ami.
    1Shot will work, but doesn’t Wright’s of Lymm or Handovers make their own lettering enamel as well?
    Love…..Jill

  • Alan Drury

    Member
    20 August 2009 at 11:46

    Same as Jill, I’m not keen on masks but I always painted on the inside so I would draw on paper, stick to the outside and then go inside to paint. This does assume you can use a brush.
    Alan D

  • Jill Marie Welsh

    Member
    20 August 2009 at 12:07

    And if you use that method, be sure to make your pattern in reverse.
    😉
    Painted from the inside looks really classy and then nobody can scratch or damage the lettering from the outside.

  • John Singh

    Member
    20 August 2009 at 22:00

    Wrights of Lymm do a similar product to Intenso
    Its called ‘cover it’
    It is matt finish (doesn’t matter on glass if you are doing from inside)
    The Intenso had the ability to dry quicker than the ordinary one shot and was extremely tuff stuff with excellent covering properties
    I presume that ‘cover it’ will do the same

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