Hello all,

Are there any good sources (books, videos, etc.) on painting and giving a prop (whatever) a great finish?

Do you sand with really find sand paper in the last stages of finishing?

What do you use to finish you props after painting? Clear Coat Gloss? What?

:worry:

The idea for me is not to have some prop that looks great on stage, I want people to be able to handle the prop and say very nice workmanship...

Hey Mark,
Do a search for "building tips". I posted an extensive description on this on another thread. It is broken into 2 posts. Building Tips #1 & #2.
Hope it helps
Chance

Mark it might all depend on what you are using. and also what kind of wood you are painting. you might want to see if you need a primer as well you know some People that can Help you in this Their Names are Doc, Fred, and Ron, I'm sure each one of them would know something what you might want to do is paint the way Okito did he got a very nice Finish out of Enamel plus with the diffrent ways you can paint now adays you can sponge paint or rag roll etc. Remember now this is like your Magic Practice before you tackle the Thing you just finished working on Good Luck and PM me I need to find out Something. Don,

Thanks Chance, I printed it out an will read through it tonight!

i found "one shot" pinstriping paint (can be found in any automotive paint store) and a hobbie air brush does wonders comes out with a nice gloss and real depth to the paint

I would recommend a book entitled "Professional Illusion Building for the Home Craftsman" by Dick Gustafson. This is, by far, the greatest illusion building reference I have ever seen. It covers everything from hardware to building materials, to finishing methods, including sources for many hard-to-find items.

If you need a great finishing material that will stand up to bumps and dings, I recommend a material called "Milament", by MBA Design. It is a very tough vinyl material that is self-adhesive. It comes in more than sixty colors and, I believe, is 50 inches wide. MBAs minimum order is five yards, but George Kimery (www.chaletmagic.com), who calls the material "TuffCote", will often sell you smaller amounts for about $20 per yard. This is the best finishing material I know of. I have used it on illusions and smaller props, and have never been disappointed.

Amos McCormick

One thing I would like to point out is that if you are working under stage light, glossy finishs will reflect light in ways that you probably don't want it to be reflected. A good satin finish is better in most cases.

If you work outdoor shows, where rain can be a factor, use exterior grade house paint!!!

Also, fabric stapled over surfaces that aren't going to be handled by spectators can give you good results.