Ornament Painting Guide

Painting Your Ornament

birch and walnut, step by step

Birch (light wood)

• Acrylic paint and acrylic paint pens both work well. Pens are great for fine cutout details. Paint with the grain so the tip does not fray.
• Prep first. Sand lightly with the grain and brush off the dust. Laser soot can show through light colors.
• For a stained look, thin acrylic with water (about half water) into a wash and let the grain show through.
• Optional: a thin coat of gesso or primer keeps paint from soaking in unevenly.

Walnut (dark wood)

• Use opaque paint: acrylic paint or acrylic paint pens. Metallics, white, and bold colors show best.
• Pale colors and thin washes look streaky or disappear on dark wood. Some paint colors are naturally transparent, so check the label.
• For light colors, put down a white base coat or primer first. It also helps keep the wood's natural dyes from bleeding through.
• For a rich look, paint only the details and let the walnut grain show.

Sealing it

• Let the paint cure 24 to 72 hours before sealing. Dry to the touch is not fully cured.
• Use a clear acrylic spray sealer (matte, satin, or gloss) in a well-ventilated spot.
• Apply 2 to 3 thin coats with sweeping passes from 10 to 12 inches away, waiting between coats as the can says (usually 15 to 30 minutes). Cover both sides and the edges.
• Spray, do not brush, over paint pen lines, since a brush can drag them. Test on a scrap piece first.
• Let it cure 24 to 48 hours before you hang or wrap it.