Painting & Poly FAQ

[Jeremy]

It's been requested to have a place for people to grab the "basics" when they're getting started on the paint & poly step of board making.

I recently started the Cornhole Wiki as a place for people to find very specific information on topics like this. It has a ways to go yet, but there is some good information. Check out the Board Customization page for a list of links for things like Poly Tips and Painting Tips.

Until the Wiki is up to par, I'll also sticky this thread with a few tips. Feel free to add revisions, or your own ways!

Also - feel free to add links to forum threads that explain helpful processes, too!

Painting Crips Lines

5 Steps for Painting Crisp Lines - aka the Shaggy Method
1. Paint the entire area with your base color.
2. Tape out the desired design or pattern. Cut tape where necessary.
3. With the tape still in place, add a second coat of your base color.
4. Leaving the tape in place, paint the same area with your final finish color.
5. Remove your tape to see your super crisp lines!

Why This Works
Any line bleeding will occur when you repaint the base color. Since it’s base color on base color, the bleeding won’t be visible. That initial bleed-through clogs these areas, preventing any future bleed-through with the next color.

Additional Tips
* For the cleanest lines, use a razor blade to score the paint at the tape edges.
* Peel off the tape after the paint is dry to the touch, but before it’s completely cured, to avoid pulling up too much paint.
* Touch up any bleeding that still occurs, use a small paint brush.
* To touch up spray paint, spray the paint on a paper plate and then use the brush to brush it on more accurately.
* Alternate Method: Simply to make sure the painters tape is stuck to the surface really well. Check this by running a hard edge over the tape, like the edge of a credit card.


Basic Painting Steps

1. Putty and Sand your built boards.
2. Apply the primer. Depending on the color, you might redo a 2nd coat.
3. Apply the Base Coat. Do 2-3 coats depending on how the color looks and let this dry.
4. Paint any lines or edges using the shaggy method.
5. Add your logo. For hand painted logos, check out this thread.
6. Apply a polycyrlic on top to protect it. Usually do at least 5 coats, sanding lightly with 300+ grit paper in between the 4th and 5th coat. Mixwax Water Based Polycrylic is bar far the most popular clear coat.
( most of this info in this thread )

Type of Paint
Most people use Semi-Gloss paint and poly. Some use Gloss for greater shine.
If using poly, the paint can be Interior or Exterior. Exterior may hold it's color longer.
Water based paint is more commonly used than Oil because it's easier for clean-up. Either one will work fine.

Basic Poly Steps

1. Most Cornhole Players apply 5 to 10 coats of polycrylic.
2. Application is usually done with a foam brush. NEVER ROLL it, brush it every time. Rolling it causes bubbles in the poly and will dimple your finish. Also, never shake your poly in the can like you would do with paint. Stir it, but don't shake it. Bubbles again...
3. Most people sand with very fine sandpaper after coat 3 or 4. This will knock down any raised wood grain. Then the final 2 or 3 coats are applied.
4. Let the boards cure for 24 to 48 hours.

*Most of us here use the Minwax Polycrylic. It's water based with low odor.

Vinyl Decal Application

1. Lay the decal down on the board and make a few hash marks with a wax pencil.
2. Lightly spray the the board with a soap and water spray.
3. Peel of the backing paper from the decal, spray decal and place on the board.
4. Squeegee (credit card) from the center out. Once done let it dry for a bit. if your in a hurry you can use a hair blow dryer.
5. Bubbles: Poke a little hole in the bubble right near the edge. Work the bubble out from the farthest point of the poked hole towards the poked hole, using your index finger or thumb. Depending how big the bubble is will depend on how many holes you'll need in the bubble. For big bubbles, put a hole in the center and at the edge of the bubble. Make sure you do take your time when working out the bubbles.
MORE = http://www.cornholeplayers.net/forum/vi ... =32&t=2782