How to Build Rustic Looking Signs
- 1). Rip a 2-inch wide strip from a length of weathered gray barn or fence board using a table saw. Cut the strip into two, 16 1/2-inch lengths using a jigsaw or miter saw. These are the back braces for your rustic sign.
- 2). Cut three 24-inch lengths from 5 1/2-inch wide weathered gray barn or fence boards. These pieces will make up the sign's face.
- 3). Lay the three face boards horizontally on your work table with the long edges touching and the ends even with each other. If one side of your wood looks better than the other, turn this side facing down. The side facing up is the back of your sign.
- 4). Lay the two back braces vertically across the back of your sign boards. Align the braces with their ends even with the top and bottom edges of the sign face. Separate the braces 12 inches apart.
- 5). Drill six pilot holes using a 1/32-inch drill bit down the length of each brace and into the back of the sign face. Space the pilot holes with two through each width section of the face boards. Insert a 1 1/4-inch wood screw into each pilot hole and attach the braces to the back of the sign.
- 6). Turn the sign with the front facing up. Use letter stencils and shapes as your patterns. Trace your sign design on the face of the sign using a pencil.
- 7). Paint the traced shapes using acrylic paint. Allow the paint to dry. If desired, outline the shapes using a liner artist brush and acrylic paints, or use a permanent marker.
- 8). Sand lightly over the surface of the sign to distress the paint and give it an aged and rustic appearance.
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