Hello I am going to start a laser wood kit. And I heard some guys use magic markers instead of paint or stain? Has anyone tried this? I think it would help with the warping? Any thoughts good or bad. Thanks Frank
There are wood stain magic markers that you apply to the wood. They are great because you don’t have the risk of knocking over an entire can of stain onto your work. You are supposed to stain all the wood in a laser kit before you start to prevent warping… chuck
I have used this method and it works great, Sharpie makes a kit of 4 meant to repair scrathes in furniture, or the brand Chuck uses, it’s cleaner and quicker IMHO.
Good if you want that brand new freshly stained look.
Frank, I have used stain pens with limited success. The problem lies in the application - as one must be careful to avoid “lap lines”. These lines are formed when two successive passes of the pen overlap - causing a dark stripe (due to the fact that there is a double layer of stain). Stain pens are expensive, but work well for very small parts (windows, doors, trim). I have used an alcohol/India Ink mixture to stain kits as well as very diluted acrylic craft paint. Usually I stain, then seal the wood with Minwax Polycrylic clear satin finish…which seals out any moisture. For the finish coat I find myself using acrylic craft paints which come in a multitude of colors and shades.
The wood will warp; but can be straightened through the use of some weights overnight (veggie and soup cans work well for this). Regarding the staining/sealing process before or after assembly: if you have properly added reinforcing strips, you can do both processes (as well as final painting - which may also cause some warping) after assembly. You might want to stain/seal/paint before assembly, touching up if needed, until you get the hang of the process. I have included a picture of a structure that was stained/sealed/painted after assembly…you be the judge. I strongly urge that you purchase Scott Mason’s excellent DVDs on craftsman structure assembly.
I hope this helps.
Ray
I suspect you’re talking about “painting” with the markers, rather than applying a clear stain to the wood. Painting with markers has been around a while, C.J. Riley showed how he did in Vol.3 of Allen Keller’s “Great Model Railroad” video/DVD series back in the late eighties. It works quite well, I’ve used sharpie type markers on brick too - paint the wall a good mortar color like gray or light tan, then use the marker to color the raised bricks and leaving the mortar the original color.
Hello Thanks for the info on the stain marker. But Stix is right I was thinking of painting with the markers. Sorry for not being clear on that.Something like a crayola marker. Cne runner that is a great building. But I don’t think I can get a look like that with a marker. And that’s what I would like to achieve. Thanks for the Help Frank
A local art supply store will probably carry “art markers” which come in a variety of colors. The colors can be a little more subtle than what you might find in a general-use marker from a stationary store.
You could check the local hobby shop too, I think either Floquil or Polly-S make a set of three markers for use on track and ties that are brown or dark red that might work for some buildings too.