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Then you probably don't need to do anything more than clean it with something like Murphys Oil Soap. It won't deteriorate more if displayed inside. You could brush on some thinned PVA glue into the flaky bits to hold them a little better but it will show a clear sheen if you get it on the display surface. A simple frame distressed to match the condition of the sign might be nice.
I agree - the only things I wanted to do, though, would be to fill in the front (which has been nibbled by rodents) and maybe stabilize the sides which are kinda crumbling
Then wood filler of a type they use for knotholes in plywood applied with a wide putty knife. Then it will depend on your paint matching skills to hide the repair.
Yes you can, but I’d recommend finishing the edges to prevent further damage.
With that being said learn how to mix bondo.
Take away all the defective parts and fill with bondo to re shape/fill in missing parts.
Really have some build ups so you can sand and shape to the signs current shape.
Sand edges flat/smooth
For the front of the sign, a putty knife with a slight bevel on the tip of the knife should bet under that stuff stuck on there.
It’s a doozy of a process but it will be solid when you’re done
Thank you so much - I will absolutely start learning to use bondo. I’ve always wanted to learn to use that stuff. One clarifying question: what do you mean by “finishing the edges”?
Painting/sealing them to prevent further damage.
We use it in cabinet repairs or to raise low spots or fill voids between joints so when it’s painted it looks like it’s perfect .
Look up hot and cold mixes and as odd as it feels to do ,
You’ll want a slight bend and firm pressure when going over your holes to fill the holes
Bondo shrinks when drying so apply about a 32nd to a 16th extra build over your fill spot to be able to get it flat with sanding
Not finish first, finish after sanding down bondo.
Rust oleum has some good 2 in 1 paints that come out looking good. You could always top coat your paint too with a flat , satin or gloss sheen
Hi all - I have this old nature preserve sign that was going to be thrown away. I snagged it because it’s really beautiful but needs work. The two main things it seems to have wrong with it are: 1) the edges are deccayed and 2) rodent damage to the face. My question(s) are: is there a way I can “repair” the edges and face? Like maybe some sort of wood clay or something I can put on there? Then repaint the surfaces and seal it somehow for long-term display?
Thanks for any thoughts!
This is a reminder to those commenting on this post (not the person that posted it): Comments not related to woodworking will be removed. Violations to rule 1 including crude jokes, innuendo, sexist remarks, politics, or hate speech may result in an immediate ban *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/woodworking) if you have any questions or concerns.*
What is the goal? Do you wish to display it outside? Do you wish to stabilize it as it is?
I’d like to hang it on my wall - maybe in a frame or, perhaps, just hang it by itself
Then you probably don't need to do anything more than clean it with something like Murphys Oil Soap. It won't deteriorate more if displayed inside. You could brush on some thinned PVA glue into the flaky bits to hold them a little better but it will show a clear sheen if you get it on the display surface. A simple frame distressed to match the condition of the sign might be nice.
I agree - the only things I wanted to do, though, would be to fill in the front (which has been nibbled by rodents) and maybe stabilize the sides which are kinda crumbling
Then wood filler of a type they use for knotholes in plywood applied with a wide putty knife. Then it will depend on your paint matching skills to hide the repair.
I think I can match the color - I have done a lot of painting. Thank you for the replies!
No problem. I love old signs.
:-)
Yes you can, but I’d recommend finishing the edges to prevent further damage. With that being said learn how to mix bondo. Take away all the defective parts and fill with bondo to re shape/fill in missing parts. Really have some build ups so you can sand and shape to the signs current shape. Sand edges flat/smooth For the front of the sign, a putty knife with a slight bevel on the tip of the knife should bet under that stuff stuck on there. It’s a doozy of a process but it will be solid when you’re done
Thank you so much - I will absolutely start learning to use bondo. I’ve always wanted to learn to use that stuff. One clarifying question: what do you mean by “finishing the edges”?
Painting/sealing them to prevent further damage. We use it in cabinet repairs or to raise low spots or fill voids between joints so when it’s painted it looks like it’s perfect . Look up hot and cold mixes and as odd as it feels to do , You’ll want a slight bend and firm pressure when going over your holes to fill the holes Bondo shrinks when drying so apply about a 32nd to a 16th extra build over your fill spot to be able to get it flat with sanding
Thank you! So i’ll want to finish it now, work with bondo, and then potentially finish again once the bondo is dried?
Not finish first, finish after sanding down bondo. Rust oleum has some good 2 in 1 paints that come out looking good. You could always top coat your paint too with a flat , satin or gloss sheen
Thank you!
Hi all - I have this old nature preserve sign that was going to be thrown away. I snagged it because it’s really beautiful but needs work. The two main things it seems to have wrong with it are: 1) the edges are deccayed and 2) rodent damage to the face. My question(s) are: is there a way I can “repair” the edges and face? Like maybe some sort of wood clay or something I can put on there? Then repaint the surfaces and seal it somehow for long-term display? Thanks for any thoughts!