Applying the Name

One of the tasks that we failed to do way back last year in our haste to get on the water was to write ‘Ulla’s’ name on her. So as part of the repaint following her winter repair programme we have writ her name and home port on her sheerstrake. We thought a touch of gold would be nice against the dark green of the sheerstrake so opted to do the thing properly in Gold Leaf, the very best 23 ¾ carat, a nice warm looking metal which hopefully won’t weigh the boat down too much. As none of us are blessed with artistic tendencies we needed to find a way of defining our lettering on the plank, this method may be of interest to others equally artistically challenged. Note – we are not gilders { it shows!} but this method worked for us. there will be better ways of doing this if you search, in the hands of experts gilded lettering can be truly awesome.

 

  As usual click on the thumbnail for the bigger picture



Spraying the prepared stencil with mount adhesive – nb. allow the adhesive to dry properly else it stays on the paint once the stencil is peeled back – don’t ask how we know this

Printed script partially cut, a row of small tabs is all that holds the letters to the background. the area containing the letters is sprayed with low tak mount adhesive before placing the sheet in its position and smoothing down.

cutting gently through the remaining tabs

main name script ready for peel back

peeling the background gently off leaves the letters in place on the strake

letters & background after separation

the letter surround is gently dusted with talc (baby powder) and the letter very carefully peeled away. Talc is used because when varnished it goes transparent and is fine enough not to modify the finish.

leaving the letter outlined by the talc

carefull application of goldsize to the letter within the powdered outline

transfer gold leaf is then applied to the prepared ground after the appropriate drying period

the gilded name in place – later, outlining of the name in red will enhance the look and allow minor adjustment/clean up of the letter form.

the home port script at the stern after peeling off the background

after starting the goldsizing – one letter is done at a time to avoid disturbing the powder outline. Worked left to right for a right handed worker – presumably if you are left handed you would work right to left.

the completed home port, the discarded template letters have enough tack on the back to remain attached close by to act as reference when cleaning up the letter edges

the completed home port, hopefully the view our competitors will see as we cross the finish line ;-)

stbd home port after outlining in red, still a bit of touching up on the gold to do – one of the beauties of gold leaf is the scope for invisible repairs

Stbd side name after outlining with a thin red line to help clean up the letters and add a touch more jazz

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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