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I have a huge SAB order being delivered today and wanted to get some input on sealing the wood blocks. I absolutely hate stains on my wood. I've heard of people using Krylon spray finish, fingernail polish, sealant you apply with a brush, etc. So my questions are...
1. Do you seal your wood blocks?
2. If yes...
a: What do you seal them with and why? (Looking for advantages/disadvantages)
b: Do you seal them before or after you mount the stamp?
I dont seal them ... I've come to the conclusion that they are rubber stamps and if they get some ink on the wood, it wont kill me ... that's just me though ... I'm actually a fussy person but I will NOT let ink on the wood bother me!!!!! LOL.
I don't yet, but my niece does hers with clear nail polish and it works awesome! May do that, so I can sell them better when they retire, but the stains actaully don't bug me too much.
I seal mine with a krylon type spray. It really prevents stains!!
With the spray - do you spray all sides or just the side you mount the stamp to? Do you have to do more than one coat? How long do you let them dry before you mount the stamps?
WAY too much trouble to seal the wood. I used to be really hung up on wood stains, but I'm over it now ... they just add character! But I do wish the rubber wouldn't stain
I used to seal them, but for the past 3 years I have not. I really can't be bothered. The little bit of free time I have for stamping I want to enjoy it with actually stamping!
I like the clean look and seal mine with Minwax clear sealer. Have used the Krylon stuff, too. Stamps that are non-SU, though, I haven't bothered to seal. Most of them I'm able to keep clean but not always.
I want to seal mine too before I stick the stamps onto the wood but wonder if it would affect the glue holding the stamp/cushion to the wood. Can anyone answer this who has tried?
I agree that stamps get dirty in the process of art, but if you can better protect your tools for a few seconds investment, why not? I clean my brush handles after I paint and do all I can to keep them clean.
I'm mainly concerned with finding the best way to protect my investment to keep the resale value high when I *GASP* get tired of these stamps and want new ones! I'm sure there have to be more of you out there that seal? Enlighten us with your wisdom.
I seal mine and always have. In the beginning I used clear nail polish, but it gave me huge headache and took way too much time (and polish!). Then my upline's husband said why don't you just spray them? Duhhhhhh, I said!! So now I use clear spray paint from WalMart (99-cents a can!). I put the wood on a couple of old cookie cooling racks with some SU packing paper under them and spray away. Best to do this outside, of course. I spray the top and all sides, then after a few minutes to dry flip them over and spray the bottom. Doesn't take much time and is soooo worth it. I don't have big issues with stains, but I really like the feel of the wood better after spraying (how wierd is that?! LOL!) and they really do stay nicer.
As for the question about whether the stamps will stay stuck - I started doing this about 5 years ago and all are still stuck.
__________________ Dana You can never have too many stamping toys.
Don't seal mine, too much work. I have very few stains on mine, but I could see if you are a demo with lots of newbies using yours stamps, then it might be practical.
Then there is a whole other group who go unmounted. Acrylic mounts are easy to clean. I use other company's stamps unmounted, but I figure the resale value on SU stamps is better mounted. Not that I've ever sold any of mine, haha.
~ Kathy
__________________ I love talking about nothing. It's the only thing I know anything about. ~ Oscar Wilde
I used to seal mine with Krylon. It became too putsy, so I quit. Honestly, I can't tell the difference between the stamps I have sealed and those I have not.
I always seal mine, I guess I'm just an **** freak. ;) I like all of my stuff to be neat and stain free. I use Americana craft spray in high gloss. The stamps stick to the wood really great, I have never had a problem with them coming off or lifting. I guess it does sound like a lot of work to spray them but it only takes a minute on my deck, spray all the sides, let it dry for a day and then off I go... no stains.
never thought about sealing the wood until recently. I have years and years worth of stamp collection and I love them, stains and all (although I do have very few stains)
I absoleutly hate staining on my wood so I seal all my wood with a sealant before putting my rubber on.they always look good.
__________________ WHAT IS A STAMPPIN ADDICT!
It's someone who buys stamps they didn't normally like at first,only to see it in Split Coast Stampers gallery in a different perspective.
I am always far to excited to use my stamps and won't take the time to seal the wood before using them. Plus I have to agree that stained wood makes the stamps look well loved and used.
I brush Delta Ceramcoat Sealer on the bottom half of my wood blocks. Yes, it's extra work, but it really has helped keep the wood from getting stained. The rubber sticks just fine on the sealer surface.
I am another one who does not seal the wood. I don't see the need. As many people have said inked wood is a sign of a well used and well loved stamp. Isn't that why we buy them.
__________________ Martha
"When you recover or discover something that nourishes your soul and brings joy, care enough about yourself to make room for it in your life." Jean Shinoda Bolen
Wood blocks - to seal or not to seal?
