Fading Paper Signs On Grain Elevator

[chuck geiger]

I am looking for suggestions on how to fade and weather these cut-out paper signs. Jim Jensen
uses the same color blotted over the sign that the structure is painted and weathering chalks.

[haasmarc]

That's pretty much what you have to do since they're attached.  I like to sand the paper sign until it is very very thin first and then apply it. This ages it naturally. You can then go back and add some of the underlying paint color to fade it more if needed.

[ednadolski]

Thin washes of water-mix oil paint - zinc white plus some base color so it does not look so stark.  Seal w/Dullcote or other clear flat between layers.

For peeling effects, a bit of the background color stippled on lightly w/a makeup sponge.

Lastly a light dusting of powder pigment to blend it all together.

Ed

[ednadolski]

If it is printed ink on paper, I wonder if exposure to a UV lamp would have any fading effect.   Some inks break down relatively quickly.

Ed

[wazzou]

That's pretty much what you have to do since they're attached.  I like to sand the paper sign until it is very very thin first and then apply it. This ages it naturally. You can then go back and add some of the underlying paint color to fade it more if needed.

This.  ^^^
You can get it almost to the thickness of a decal, settling over the undulations of the siding, making the next steps much easier.