Painting colors and finishes for projects

[winbrayer]

I need help with the kind of paint to use to color carvings and the process to get clean lines at the edges. Also would like to know what finishes give a nice shiny and outdoor finish to signs.

[Shipfitter]

I have only been doing this now for about 4 months. In the process I have been using acrylic paints for color (thin with water if needed), and I started buying a spray finish that is for outdoors (that I haven't used). Up until now I have only been using a finish coat I purchased from an arts store. But that wasn't for outdoor use, and it wasn't quite as durable as apposed to poly. The acrylic paints come the art store also.

[winbrayer]

Thank you for your response.

[Scottart]

I use acrylics, than use a varathane that is rated outdoor and is UV rated. I also put a light coat of Urethane on the finished wood piece prior to painting. If you don't than depending on the wood you use , it will be a bit like painting on a sponge. The paint will migrate in the wood. That makes it hard to keep crisp lines. So, try varnishing first and last.

[Scottart]

I use acrylics, than use a varathane that is rated outdoor and is UV rated. I also put a light coat of Urethane on the finished wood piece prior to painting. If you don't than depending on the wood you use , it will be a bit like painting on a sponge. The paint will migrate in the wood. That makes it hard to keep crisp lines. So, try varnishing first and last.