As a crafter, you may need to use Vinyl to make amazing Vinyl lettering on different wood workpieces. Using Vinyl on wood is a common experiment in that many crafters are involved nowadays to enhance the beauty and aesthetic value of the wooden workpiece. Let’s get into a quick synopsis of how to seal Vinyl on wood effectively and make it a worthwhile investment. This article will also discuss the benefits of using Vinyl on wood.
Two Types of Vinyl to Work with Wooden Surfaces
You have two primary choices of Vinyl to work with your wooden surfaces. In the following section of this article, we will cover the two types of Vinyl you need to know to decide which is best for your project.
Permanent Vinyl
Permanent Vinyl requires inexpensive transfer tape without needing a heat press. This Vinyl will help you get a glossy finish and fantastic texture you may not get by using heat transfer Vinyl. However, it is essential to note that it gives a cheap look to the final project. In addition, permanent Vinyl may not stick well to the surface if it is rough.
Heat Transfer Vinyl
Heat transfer Vinyl has a liner that helps the user to invest less time and effort in the application process. An advantage of using this Vinyl is it doesn’t bubble like permanent Vinyl. It offers several matte finish options. However, the disadvantages of using this Vinyl are that it is difficult to apply and is sometimes an inexpensive option. Additionally, it requires a heat press.
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How to Apply Vinyl on Wood
Things You Will Need
- Wood
- Transfer tape
- Adhesive Vinyl or heat transfer Vinyl
- Design software
- Cutting machine
- 150-grit sandpaper
- Teflon paper
- Weeding tool
Step-by-step Processes
Step 1: Sanding the Wooden Surface
To prepare your surface, you must sand first to smoothen it. Clean the surface with a damp cloth first. Then, use 150-grit sandpaper to sand the wood lightly. This step helps to stick Vinyl to wood very securely. Sanding is essential even if you want to paint the wood because it allows it to absorb the paint easily. Keep sanding until you get the highest smoothness of your surface.
Step 2: Removing the Dust and Particles
After sanding, remove dust particles with a brush before applying Vinyl or paint. If residue remains on the surface, you will not get the best result. Vinyl sticks to the surface only if it is entirely free of dust and particles underneath it.
Step 3: Treating the Wood Surface
You have multiple options, including wood stain, acrylic paint, chalk paint, and polyacrylic. You have to smoothen or treat the wooden surface again with paint. Now, take at least 24 hours to let it fully dry.
Step 4: Applying Vinyl on Wood
As mentioned in the earlier section, there are two types of Vinyl. Those two types of Vinyl require different application techniques. Check out those techniques in the following section.
Step 5: Sealing Vinyl On Wood
This step is optional, but you can seal Vinyl on wood to make the project more durable. You can apply different ways to seal craft projects on your wooden surface, such as spray sealers, polyurethane polyacrylic spray, dishwasher-safe Mod Podge, or epoxy resin. Mod Podge gives a glossy look to the wood. It is also an inexpensive and more available choice that you can find in common craft stores.
Different Types of Sealants
Sealing Vinyl on wood gives the project a more prolonged life. As a crafter, you should know how to seal Vinyl on wood. Sealants come in different forms as they are created differently. You can apply them with a brush or roller. Whatever sealer you want, make sure it is designed for Vinyl stickers.
- Mod Podge: Mod Podge is a common dishwasher sealant, safe to use and inexpensive. This sealant option comes in glittery, glossy, and matte finishes. Therefore, it is easy to find one that matches your needs.
- Triple Trick: If you want a thicker coat, Triple Thick is a reliable sealant option, but before choosing this one, you must be careful about the application process. Before applying a thicker coat, do the application process evenly over the surface
- Polycrylic: Another popular choice is Polycrylic, mainly used for projects that have to be displayed as outdoor elements. It would be best to remain very careful while using this sealant because it may cause discoloration or damage to the craft. Therefore, we recommend you test a bit of it on a small surface of your project. If it doesn’t cause any adverse impacts on the surface, you may continue applying it to the entire surface
- Epoxy Resin: Epoxy resin would be your go-to option if you want to do a little study job. This dishwasher-safe sealant is a reliable option that doesn’t create any hassle about applying an even layer.
Talk to the specialists from hardware stores to get ideas about the sealants that provide the best protection from moisture and temperature. It is essential to choose the suitable sealant for your requirements with the help of the expert’s guidelines.
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How to Seal Vinyl On Wood
Sealing Vinyl on your wood surface will help to prolong its lifespan. From preparing to cure the surface, you have to go through some stages while sealing Vinyl on wood.
- You should apply the sealer on the surface of the sticker. Don’t apply the sealer on a specific corner of the sticker; otherwise, you cannot protect the entire sticker from sunlight, exposure, and moisture damage.
- Apply the sealant on the surface before you apply the Vinyl. It will help in preventing any damage while working with the sticker.
- Use a brush or roller to apply the sealer evenly across the surface to protect against any potential damage. Using a brush is easy to control while applying the sealer. It will help you to cover the whole surface evenly.
Benefits of Using Vinyl on Wood
Vinyl is one of the best options if you want to get the same essence of paint on wood with other elements. It is very easy to work with Vinyl as it requires less time and effort than painting. Once you can successfully stick Vinyl to your wooden projects, your job is completely done.
Conversely, you have to be very patient and compromise time while using paint. You cannot finish working with paint before it gets dried on wood. There are different colors, patterns, and finishes of Vinyl. You can match your preferred Vinyl with your wooden project very easily. You can’t even get your preferred Vinyl designs using a cutting machine or design software.
The best thing is the result is the same between Vinyl crafts and painted crafts. In addition, you may get unique designs for your personalized wooden items.
Here is the list of projects you can perform with wood and Vinyl.
- Stencils
- Wooden blocks
- Wooden toys for children
- Wooden signs
- Upcycling old furniture
If you mess up while working with paint on your wood, it may turn unusable, or you may need to change the wooden workpiece. So, it will be a total waste of your investment when you use paint. You can easily avoid these issues if you use Vinyl on your wood.
Tips to Remember
- Don’t Oversand: You shouldn’t sand the surface if it is already treated and smooth enough to apply Vinyl. So, check the surface before you start working on it. Sanding is needed when the wood doesn’t have a smooth finish. Using Vinyl directly on the treated wood will save you time and effort.
- Don’t Use Power Tools: It is better to avoid using them if you don’t know much about them while working on wood projects. Using power tools in the wrong way will damage your project.
- Wait until the Paint Dries: Let the wood completely dry after painting. Before you apply Vinyl, you should wait at least 24 hours to let the surface dry. However, the drying time may vary depending on the workplace. If you work in a wet or cold place, you may need to dry for more than 24 hours. Contrarily, drying time can be less than 24 hours if you work in a dry and warm place.
- Avoid Applying Too Much Force: Don’t apply too much force to the wood project; otherwise, you will damage it.
- Be Careful while Using Polycrylic: Polycrylic can cause surface discoloration. So, as a crafter, you should be careful when using this item. We recommend you apply a small amount of Polycrylic on a small piece of wood first. You can continue applying everything to your workable project if everything seems okay.
- Watch out for Sap if You Use HTV: Look out for wood sap if you want to use HTV on your wood project. The wood surface may release the sap if it is too hot.
- Use a Better Quality Wood: High-quality wood gives the best result, but if you have a rough and unsealed wood project in your hand, you have to be patient about getting the best finish. You need to experiment on your low-quality wood with a rough texture. Sometimes, sanding is not a helpful process to smoothen the surface. In that case, you have to paint that wood to get a better result.
Final Verdicts
Applying Vinyl on wood is a fantastic craft practice that gives the user a creative and satisfying vibe. Vinyl crafting has become very popular in the world of crafts and arts. Whenever you paste Vinyl on wood, you may want to get its prolonged lifespan by sealing it. Applying sealants is suitable for making the decoration pieces appealing. Make sure you take adequate time the cure the Vinyl adhesive. Hopefully, this article has fulfilled your requirements on how to seal Vinyl on wood.
