Help need for a total beginner!

[Nuggo83]

So I've decided to get all handy and make a welcome sign for my upcoming wedding.
I used a sheet of plywood and have just stained it. Do I need to top coat it with something so it doesn't dry out? I'll eventually be adding some vinyl stickers to it.
I don't want a process that is too hard and confusing as I know nothing about this kind of stuff.
I've never made anything before so when giving me advise please use plain english! Haha

[Sir Stinkalot]

Hi .... it should be fine with just the stain on it - there shouldn't be anything to dry out. Once the stain has dried that is the end of the matter. You would want to keep the ply dry (inside) however. A photo may help. Quite often after applying a stain a clear top coat over the top will make it look better and provide a smoother surface for your vinyl stickers. Post a photo and what stain you used and you will get some recommendations.

[ian]

Hi and welcome to the forums.

some tips
1. whatever you do to one side of a sheet of ply, do the same thing on the other.
2. sanding to at least 240 grit will give you a nice smooth surface. you can sand by hand -- so no need to buy a machine. try and work outside so you don't get dust in your house.
3. "sand to at least 240 grit" means start with 120 grit, then go to 150, then 180 then finish with 240. Wipe the dust off frequently, and always before using a new grit.
4. "grit" refers to how coarse the sand paper is. It is usually printed on the back of a sheet of sand paper. 150 grit is less coarse than 120 grit
5. the time to change to a higher grit is when the entire surface is uniform, and there are no deeper / wider scratches left from the previous coarser grit.
6. always, always sand with the grain -- the grain is the long "streaks" in the ply veneer.
7. good light makes seeing what you have already done, and what you have left to do much easier.


good luck

[Christos]

If the stain you used is a stain and varnish then you might not need to go the extra step of a top coat.

As for the vinyl stickers you need to ensure that these will remain stuck on the sign for the duration of the wedding. Best way of doing that is to make a test piece and hang the piece up to see if the letter peels off.

Welcome to the forum and congratulation on your wedding.

[old1955]

Welcome to the forum.

[tonzeyd]

Ultimately depends on the look you're going for and how long you want it to last.

Finish is often added to protect + make it look "finished" however if you're going for the rustic look, looking finished might not be what you're after.

+1 on testing whether the stickers stick, some finishes leave an oily finish that nothing will stick to it.

Also make sure your sign has something heavy behind it/attached to it, the last thing you want is to have one of your groomsmen running down the road in their nice suit chasing your sign as the wind wisps it away (or breaking/damaging something)

I'd also recommend not using stickers, just feel it doesnt go well with the overall look (unless its a vinyl photo, visit riot art and craft or similar and see if you can find some MDF letters and paint them white, it adds an extra layer of dimension and looks much more professional.