Painting sails?

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David_Jersey

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Have got a couple of old sails and like many others think to myself they would be useful for an unspecified "something" that I have never quite put my finger on /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

But now I've been thinking /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif, they would make a good basis for flags for use on "dressing up days".

I am thinking oversized flags and maybe even those Chinese Style long thin ones to fly from the masthead.

Sewing? how hard can that be /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif But of course painting designs on them by hand would cut down the sewing stuff.

I figure some sort of paint (if not most?) will stick to an old sail - anyone tried?


In truth I am thinking of creating my own Battle Flag, for the day I declare war on France, encounter Pirates or sight an Enemy Warship coming over the horizen. Sh#t happens, best to be prepared /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
An artist's acrylic paint might be best as it dries quickly and is quite flexible (so it won't crack) and it should - hopefully - be reasonably lightfast (provided that you avoid any fluorescent colours). I've used it on traditional cotton canvas and it worked fine.
 
I agree with artists' quality acrylics; just don't put it on too thickly. If it is well diluted it seems to stay on longer, possibly because it can find its way through the tight weave. Try to do it from both sides so that you minimise the shadows that show up where the paint is thicker.
 
Of course, BOTH sides - just as well you mentioned that /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
 
If you need to cover large areas, you can normally buy it in containers up to a litre or more not just in small tubes - in a good art shop. If you buy a good quality the pigment strength will allow decent coverage even if you thin it. Artist quality acrylic will give you far more coverage than using household paint.
 
hi yes i have done a few things with old sails , built a doger. for my boat , covered holes. made side covers, drop sheets . plus keep patches of the stuff for repairs good painted with epoxy build anything. paint with acrlic paint wont crack water base paint , evern oil base ok hope this helps, ho yes also makes good sail bags, rope bags. no sewing. i use no nails glue, for all these jobs and apoxy res.. dave
 
So it's true then /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

>In truth I am thinking of creating my own Battle Flag, for the day I declare war on<

First Kosovo next Jersey!

Where's the Navy...or did we raffle them off too!
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
"In truth I am thinking of creating my own Battle Flag, for...."

csail is STILL moaning about how his was pinched off the boat while in Bristol last summer /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
Instead of "Painting" why not paint on coloured printers ink, The type that is used in screen printing. Any good artists shop should stock it, follow the instructions on the tin,waterproof and fade proof. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
I repair digital printers for a living and a lot of the flags you see at exhibitions are printed with UV cured inks. They last much longer than the the old solvent based inks. Unfortunately although they are cheap to make they sell at very high prices as a lot of machines need profilers to stop the owners using other inks.
Allan
 
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no sewing. i use no nails glue, for all these jobs and apoxy res.. dave

[/ QUOTE ]

Wot with my sewing skills not being up to much, I will certainly try "no nails" glue. Cheers.
 
sericol, is the screen printing ink used for hand painting kites, can buy small tims from the suppliers as listed on the web site, just ring up they'll tell you which exact spec, you'l need thinner to dilute... have fun!!
 
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