Painting backing sheet for scrolled jigsaw

[oldwood]

I'm pretty new to scrolling and have just cut out the pieces for Steve's alphabet jigsaw.  This is aimed at my g'daughter to be 4 in 10 days time, so becoming slightly urgent !

I've done the cutting out and I'm happy with the result ....  but then I realised that I need to glue on a backing sheet which should be painted matt black (or similar).  But if I paint it first I can't then glue it to the top plate, and if I glue it I can't paint it without paint getting to places I don't want paint !

So what's the trick  please guys ?

Rob

[Merlin]

Well Rob if you no want to paint the backer then don't paint the backer, I never paint wood unless I really have to.
Back in the day wooden puzzles were not paint except the puzzle it self.

My way of thinking probably not worth two cents but there you have it. 

***Merlin***

[Kepy]

You could try taping a strip around the edge before painting to leave a place for gluing.  The unpainted part would not show once it is glued in place.

[Dakota Saw Dust]

Kepy is right on.  Rather than tape, i sometimes lay the "frame" piece on tope of the backer and lightly pencil the outline. Then paint a little past the line that way I leave as much unpainted area as possible.  I then glue the frame and backer followed by a last spray of clear finish to help seal the painted backing.  P.S. You can tape the backer as Kepy stated; paint the backer & also seal coat the painted/taped backer - then glue the backer/frame together.  I use this approach when I want the backer to have a mat finish and the frame to have another sheen.

[EdN]

I know this is a little late but "better late than never" as they say:  Winsor & Newton makes an ART MASKING FLUID that paints on the area that is not to be painted.  After it dries you can paint away right over top of the stuff.  When your paint dries you just use an eraser to remove it and expose bare wood where the masking fluid was.  Hope this helps someone.
Ed

[dunk]

Who told you that you could not glue over paint?  Although it is not the preferred method, you certainly can glue over a painted surface.  It will not be as strong a joint as clear wood but for scrolling purposes it will work just fine.

[EIEIO]

I've never had a problem with gluing on a painted backer board. This is not carrying any weight, and there's a lot of surface area for the glue. I'd avoid a glossy backer paint. Valspar makes an inexpensive paint called Kettle Black - it's a water based flat black that would be a good surface for gluing.

[Kragax]

I've never had a problem with gluing on a painted backer board. This is not carrying any weight, and there's a lot of surface area for the glue. I'd avoid a glossy backer paint. Valspar makes an inexpensive paint called Kettle Black - it's a water based flat black that would be a good surface for gluing.

Yup, I glue on painted stuf all the time.

[mlwmerk]

I use "Masonite" type hardboard as a backer to most of my scroll saw projects.  Just stack cut the outline of the project and then glue the shiney side to the project leaving the rough side as the back.  Since the masonite is of a contrasting color the light colored project wood the whole thing looks pretty good.  It might need a little fine sanding on the edges of the fiber board. 

As for a finish, after the pieces are glued together I use a coat or two of Tung Oil finish on it.  Sometimes, weather permitting I use a spray poly finish on top of the Tung Oil finish.  It really gives it a shiny finish overall.

Walt in CT

[chelcass]

Here's a thought, how about tracing around the letters and then when you paint the backer don't paint over the outline letters thus giving you a good bonding area.