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How can you best paint a shield?
Want to paint a shield yourself? We sell many pre-painted shields, but we also offer unpainted shields that you can customize to your liking. The materials of these unpainted shields vary and may require different types of paint.
Painting a wooden shield
Our unpainted wooden shields are all covered with a layer of linen, some have a white primer, others do not.
The best paint to use for these shields is acrylic paint.
If your design consists only of color blocks, you can first draw the placement of the blocks with a pencil. Then you can fill in each part with its own colors. You can apply one (thin) layer to let the underlying colour shine through for a shabby effect. Or you can paint multiple thin layers for full coverage.
If you want a more detailed design, such as a coat of arms, it might be more practical to first paint the entire front in the base color. Then you can draw the design with a pencil and fill in the design with the appropriate colour paint using a smaller brush.
Most of these shields are also white on the inside, so you could paint the inside as well if you prefer.
To make the paintwork more weather-resistant, you can finish it with a layer of varnish or impregnation spray for acrylic paint.
Painting a steel shield
Our unpainted steel shields are delivered with a rust-resistant base coat. Over this primer you can paint your own design.
For painting on a steel shield, it is advisable to use a metal paint. Metal paints are available in water-based and oil-based variants, both of which will work, but each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Water-based metal paints are easier to work with, but oil-based metal paints have a longer-lasting result.
Painting the design on the shield works the same as with wooden shields, only with different paint. Metal paints can be somewhat thicker, but they can also be thinned. Water-based metal paint can be thinned with water, oil-based metal paint with turpentine.
Metal paint requires about 36 to 48 hours to cure. Ensure that the shield is not in an area with extreme temperatures or in direct sunlight.
Metal paint does not need to be lacquered afterward.
