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How to Use a Vinyl Stencil on Barnwood or Reclaimed Wood

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Today’s post is a follow up to my post Why Does Paint Bleed when Using a Vinyl Stencil? In that post, I showed you how to use a vinyl stencil to get a perfect design every time. The takeaway from that was sand the surface well and use tiny amounts of paint. After posting that article, I got a lot of reader questions about how to stencil on rough wood such as barnwood, pallet wood, or reclaimed wood. Today, let’s tackle that.

Why Is it Difficult to Stencil on Rough Wood?

Most crafters who use barnwood or reclaimed wood want to save the texture of the wood, and don’t want to sand it. The uneven surface makes it difficult to get a good seal of the stencil and paint will bleed everywhere. I’ve seen some crafters use Mod Podge over the whole board before applying the stencil, but that discolors the wood and leaves a shiny finish over the wood.

Supplies Needed

How to Stencil on Rough Wood

  1. Cut your vinyl stencil using your Silhouette Cameo or Cricut. Weed the design and apply transfer tape. I prefer to use the hinge method to apply the vinyl designs. First, align the design and tape across the center.How to Use a Vinyl Stencil on Barnwood or Reclaimed Wood with your Silhouette Cameo or Cricut - by cuttingforbusiness.com
    Next, remove the paper backing from the left side of the design and apply it to the wood.How to Use a Vinyl Stencil on Barnwood or Reclaimed Wood with your Silhouette Cameo or Cricut - by cuttingforbusiness.com
    Remove the painter’s tape and the paper backing from the right side of the wood and apply it.How to Use a Vinyl Stencil on Barnwood or Reclaimed Wood with your Silhouette Cameo or Cricut - by cuttingforbusiness.com
    Last, remove the transfer tape.How to Use a Vinyl Stencil on Barnwood or Reclaimed Wood with your Silhouette Cameo or Cricut - by cuttingforbusiness.com
    If you look close, you’ll notice that my vinyl stencil doesn’t stick well to my wood. How to Use a Vinyl Stencil on Barnwood or Reclaimed Wood with your Silhouette Cameo or Cricut - by cuttingforbusiness.com
    You can see in this picture that if I painted this, it would run under the stencil and make a huge mess. Due to the uneven wood texture, the vinyl simply doesn’t stick well.How to Use a Vinyl Stencil on Barnwood or Reclaimed Wood with your Silhouette Cameo or Cricut - by cuttingforbusiness.com
  2. My solution is to apply a coat of Mod Podge to the area I want to paint. (Mod Podge is basically watered down glue. If you don’t have some on hand, make your own with Elmer’s Glue and water.) The Mod Podge glues the stencil in place and seals the edges so the paint won’t bleed. Apply Mod Podge with a foam brush and allow it to dry. How to Use a Vinyl Stencil on Barnwood or Reclaimed Wood with your Silhouette Cameo or Cricut - by cuttingforbusiness.com
  3. After the Mod Podge dries, apply paint with a foam brush. Remember to use a tiny amount of paint! How to Use a Vinyl Stencil on Barnwood or Reclaimed Wood with your Silhouette Cameo or Cricut - by cuttingforbusiness.com
  4. Peel the stencil before the paint is dry. How to Use a Vinyl Stencil on Barnwood or Reclaimed Wood with your Silhouette Cameo or Cricut - by cuttingforbusiness.com

To finish up your sign, add hanging hardware to the back. Don’t have a source for barnwood? Did you know you can order it on Etsy? Click here.

Love this tutorial? Save it to Pinterest:

How to Use a Vinyl Stencil on Barnwood or Reclaimed Wood with your Silhouette Cameo or Cricut - by cuttingforbusiness.com

Larry

Sunday 29th of September 2019

I know this is an old post, but hoping someone will see this. I make wood American flags. I buy my myler stencils from other companies. They range in thickness from 5mil to 14 mil thick. I always have problems with some bleed. I follow the suggestions on using a pouncer brush, of sponge, or a small sponge roller. Very little paint on brush or roller, and apply 2-3 light coats. Most of the time, I leave my wood unsanded(1 x 2's from lowes or HD). That helps maintain the rustic look. Then I lightly burn wood with a torch to make it look older. Then I stain (red, white, blue)before assembly I use plywood for the union, so most of the time, it's smoother then the stripes. I have fewer problems with bleed here. I want to use an adhesive, with my stencil, but afraid it may ruin the wood if I inadvertently, leave the adhesive on too long. I've searched for bleed problems with mylar stencils, but everything refers to vinyl stencils. Any suggestions working with mylar stencils to avoid bleeding? Thank you Regards, Larry

Christine, Cutting for Business

Tuesday 1st of October 2019

Hi Larry! You can try using temporary adhesive to keep your stencil in place. Best of luck!

Pamela

Friday 23rd of August 2019

I have used contact paper to make stencils. On wood signs I have had the problem of it not sticking down and had some bleeding, should I use Mod Podge to get it to stick down good? Also use contact paper on canvas and had some bleeding on it also. Contact paper is cheaper to use than vinyl. Have had my cricut for 3 years but my son was the one that always used it. Now I am trying to teach myself.

Christine, Cutting for Business

Sunday 25th of August 2019

I'd recommend stencil material over contact paper. Stencil material (like Oramask 813) works much better than contact paper. I don't ever use Mod Podge: https://cuttingforbusiness.com/paint-bleed-using-vinyl-stencil/

Samantha

Monday 8th of April 2019

What kind of paint did you use for this particular project? I like the weathered look of the paint.

Christine, Cutting for Business

Saturday 18th of May 2019

Chalk paint.

Beth

Friday 12th of October 2018

Hi! Hope this isn’t a repeat question but what font is this?! Gorgeous!! Thanks for all the wonderful tips ❤️

Christine

Sunday 4th of November 2018

Here's a link: https://www.creativefabrica.com/product/i-love-glitter/ref/166/

Tracy

Wednesday 4th of July 2018

Will the paint peel off because of the glue underneath it? I have some antique barn wood and a stencil that I want to use but have been afraid to start the project. I'm excited to see this method but just wonder if the glue where it was painted will peel. Also, I don't have a vinyl stencil but rather a plastic stencil. So, I'd have to figure out how to anchor that down better. Any advice? Thanks.

Christine

Monday 24th of September 2018

No, the paint won't peel off from the glue underneath. I have two suggestions you could try: 1) Repositionable tack for stencils or 2) Using spray paint. Spray paint is great for plastic stencils, just use light coats. Best of luck!