Amateur Posted April 30, 2016 Report Share Posted April 30, 2016 Hey all, I am building a simple reclaimed bench for a friends wedding that they are having guests sign with a sharpie. the material is oak and I'm thinking I will need to apply a coat before sharpie time to keep the ink from bleeding into the soft grain then apply a finish coat after. I'm thinking BLO first then poly after thoughts from the experienced appreciated ETA: or should I go poly, poly? I really have no idea.. thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendon_t Posted April 30, 2016 Report Share Posted April 30, 2016 Will it be rough or sanded smooth? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob493 Posted April 30, 2016 Report Share Posted April 30, 2016 Use a thin blade sharpie, and seal it with polyurethane. Stay away from shellac. As long as they arent cramming the sharpie down like a 3rd grade with a crayon, it'll be fine. You WANT the wood to absorb the sharpie. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted April 30, 2016 Report Share Posted April 30, 2016 Don't use BLO, unless you have a lot of time for it to cure! Bob's advice is probably best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted April 30, 2016 Report Share Posted April 30, 2016 I would use thin coats of rattle can poly over the signatures to prevent any smudging . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Llama Posted April 30, 2016 Report Share Posted April 30, 2016 I sign most things I make with a Sharpie, and haven't had a problem with ARS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted April 30, 2016 Report Share Posted April 30, 2016 If you ever want to remove Sharpie marks use acetone. I works like a charm. We touch up black laminate with a sharpie. It soaks into thin exposed glue lines and tiny chips then an acetone damp rag wipes off any on the surface of the laminate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amateur Posted May 1, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2016 Thanks for the answers! To the first poster it is smooth on top for the signatures. I mi went with BLO because I love how it makes this pallet oak pop and I have 21 days till wedding. wdwerker, great idea on the rattle can poly. That's how I'll do it only thing I'm not crazy about (besides it being slightly primitive) is the chunky legs. I wanted to taper them but a buddy hanging out in the garage suggested I leave them straight and I think tapered would have been better. Thanks again all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amateur eric Posted May 1, 2016 Report Share Posted May 1, 2016 Made this for my wedding last year. The small stars are pine and the larger dark ones are (if I remember correctly) walnut. Just used fine tip sharpies from Walmart, and when they were all signed, sprayed with a rattle can of poly. The ink went into the wood great with pine. No bleeding around the letters. The spray sealed the ink in so it won't smear. That option worked great in my experience. Hope that helps Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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