Lettering before and afterOutside of sailing, my background trainning is actually in Design and Typography. -The study of letterforms. So from day one i've wanted to give Shoestring's name a good sorting. Feeling that the irish script was not one I would choose, but appropriate for the 'look' of a folkboat I decided to stick with it, and in true shoestring fashion, re-cycle them.
They were originally acrylic screen paint painted onto canvas, as shown, I believe the name was added afterwards to the dodgers. The problem with screen acrylic is that in direct sunlight, rain and ample soakings of seawater the acrylic will crack and water will get between these cracks peeling it from the canvas backing.
They were originally acrylic screen paint painted onto canvas, as shown, I believe the name was added afterwards to the dodgers. The problem with screen acrylic is that in direct sunlight, rain and ample soakings of seawater the acrylic will crack and water will get between these cracks peeling it from the canvas backing.
Old, faded and cracked paint.So to replace the paint work I'm using a fabric paint, the type you might use for homemade t-shirts: Textil Plus, more details on this below.
The dodgers were originally held in place with plastic cable ties, and this is how I'll put them up afterwards, its quick and long lasting. After we took them off Shoestring, (and drove the 270 miles home) I placed them in the washing machine on a 30C rinse and spin. As the idea is not to wash off the existing acrylic but rather to rinse off salt, no detergents were added. I then let these dry off overnight giving them a gentle brushing in the morning to remove any loose acrylic specks.
Then it is simply a very time consuming, but rewarding careful freehand (or with masking tape if your feeling less brave) tracing around of the outlines of the letters. This is where a flat brush comes in handy, as you can use its shape to fit around corners and letters with less accuracy. The flexible nature and high 'glue' content of the fabric paint means that you can paint-over both canvas and the old acrylic, sealing it inside.
Once the fabric paint is dry, I found a few areas needed an extra coat of paint and touch-ups so this was done. Then leave over night again for it all to fully dry.
When dried and looking how you want it, use an old bedsheet and an ironing board, set the iron to about 2/3rd of its highest setting and then give the back of the dodgers a good iron. Don't iron the side with any paint on, but give the back of that area an extra going over. The heat from the iron evaporates any water left in the paints mixture, it also melts the paint slightly into the canvas.
The dodgers were originally held in place with plastic cable ties, and this is how I'll put them up afterwards, its quick and long lasting. After we took them off Shoestring, (and drove the 270 miles home) I placed them in the washing machine on a 30C rinse and spin. As the idea is not to wash off the existing acrylic but rather to rinse off salt, no detergents were added. I then let these dry off overnight giving them a gentle brushing in the morning to remove any loose acrylic specks.
Then it is simply a very time consuming, but rewarding careful freehand (or with masking tape if your feeling less brave) tracing around of the outlines of the letters. This is where a flat brush comes in handy, as you can use its shape to fit around corners and letters with less accuracy. The flexible nature and high 'glue' content of the fabric paint means that you can paint-over both canvas and the old acrylic, sealing it inside.
Once the fabric paint is dry, I found a few areas needed an extra coat of paint and touch-ups so this was done. Then leave over night again for it all to fully dry.
When dried and looking how you want it, use an old bedsheet and an ironing board, set the iron to about 2/3rd of its highest setting and then give the back of the dodgers a good iron. Don't iron the side with any paint on, but give the back of that area an extra going over. The heat from the iron evaporates any water left in the paints mixture, it also melts the paint slightly into the canvas.
Port and starboard dodgers, one nearly finished.All done and ready to re-attach. I've got to wait a few weeks drive back down to Shoestring, so i'll be folding them carefully between the old bedsheet so no brass eyelets in the canvas or creases rub across the new paint.
There is of course one or two areas where I've slipped and put a small smudge or a wobbly line, but thats part of the charm, lovely handmade wooden yacht: hand-painted signage. For around £30 I could have the lot done in computer-cut vynil and it would look perfect, but I always think its the little imperfections in things that show a crafted item. (know one else will notice anyway.)
There is of course one or two areas where I've slipped and put a small smudge or a wobbly line, but thats part of the charm, lovely handmade wooden yacht: hand-painted signage. For around £30 I could have the lot done in computer-cut vynil and it would look perfect, but I always think its the little imperfections in things that show a crafted item. (know one else will notice anyway.)
Materials used:
Size 6 flat rexel brush - £2.99 for a set of 6 sizes
Small 15ml jar of Textil Plus in white (link) - £3.99
Water
Clean cloth
Old bed sheet
Cable ties - 99p
(masking tape optional)
Iron
Textil colours
The Textil range of fabric paints was chosen for three reasons, 1) ease of application, 2) flexibility when dry, and 3) Its water-resistant qualities.
It is also available in the shades below, 070 White was used on our navy canvas dodgers, and in one good application and 'touch-up' overcoat the white become solid. -As there is more space I might add "www.yachtshoestring.co.uk" in a smaller type-size underneath in a different colour, but that can wait a while.
I'll post updates and photos to show the durability of textile paints when being exposed to 'sailing conditions' and salt water, hopefully all good news. Please do let us know if this has helped you at all by commenting below.
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