By Jim Hingst
Butch “Superfrog” Anton and
his wife Sandy hosted their second Letterhead Geezer Gathering at their 3-acre
homestead in Lake Park, MN from August 18 to August 20. Their picturesque
property is dotted with several cabins, which house their frequent guests, and
is bounded on two sides by two lakes. This gave Butch’s guests an opportunity
to swim and boat as well as to fish for bass, panfish and pike. After being
skunked last year, sign maker Jim Gleason from New Jersey was finally
successful in his angling pursuits, landing a nice looking largemouth bass.
 |
| “Bazooka Joe” Balabuszko demonstrates the proper technique of transferring gold leaf. |
As the event name implies,
most of the attendees were seasoned veterans, although it was encouraging that
several younger sign makers also participated. “You know that it is a Geezer
Gathering,” says Barbara Schilling from Anoka, MN, “when these old farts talk more
about their aches and pains and the passing of their compadres than they do
about hot cars.”
most of the attendees were seasoned veterans, although it was encouraging that
several younger sign makers also participated. “You know that it is a Geezer
Gathering,” says Barbara Schilling from Anoka, MN, “when these old farts talk more
about their aches and pains and the passing of their compadres than they do
about hot cars.”
Faux Painting Techniques
 |
| Jeff Douglas explains how to paint faux aged lettering. |
During Butch’s event several
sign makers conducted seminars. Jeff Douglas from Douglas Signs in Moorhead, MN
explained his unique technique for painting faux aged lettering. Douglas is
very knowledgeable in the chemistry of paint, as well as being an expert in estimating
and engineering. In demonstrating his painting technique and entertaining the other
painters, he cooked up his recipe, which
includes calcium carbonate (whiting) as a flattening agent, tinting clear, thinner,
1 Shot lettering enamel and a finely
ground rust powder dusted onto the lettering after the paint is almost dry.
sign makers conducted seminars. Jeff Douglas from Douglas Signs in Moorhead, MN
explained his unique technique for painting faux aged lettering. Douglas is
very knowledgeable in the chemistry of paint, as well as being an expert in estimating
and engineering. In demonstrating his painting technique and entertaining the other
painters, he cooked up his recipe, which
includes calcium carbonate (whiting) as a flattening agent, tinting clear, thinner,
1 Shot lettering enamel and a finely
ground rust powder dusted onto the lettering after the paint is almost dry.
Pinstriping with Urethane Paints
 |
| Mark Ripley demonstrates his pinstriping techniques using Du Pont Hot Hues urethane paints. |
Mark Ripley, owner of Ripley’s
Ol Skool Pinstriping in Olathe, Kansas conducted a class in pinstriping using
Du Pont Hot Hues urethane paint. “Painting with urethane paints is a lot different
than painting with enamels,” say Ripley.
Ol Skool Pinstriping in Olathe, Kansas conducted a class in pinstriping using
Du Pont Hot Hues urethane paint. “Painting with urethane paints is a lot different
than painting with enamels,” say Ripley.
Originally a Southern
California native, Ripley moved to Olathe, Kansas a suburb of Kansas City
thirty years ago. In California he owned a traditional sign shop. While he
still makes an occasional sign and restores some antiques, his primary business
today is pinstriping motorcycles and hot rods.
California native, Ripley moved to Olathe, Kansas a suburb of Kansas City
thirty years ago. In California he owned a traditional sign shop. While he
still makes an occasional sign and restores some antiques, his primary business
today is pinstriping motorcycles and hot rods.
Although Ripley still
stripes with some 1 Shot lettering enamels, most of his work is painted with Du
Pont Hot Hues urethanes. “In the pinstriping community, urethanes are getting
more and more popular,” says Ripley. What he likes about urethanes is that they
flow out nicely, they cover better and are durable.
stripes with some 1 Shot lettering enamels, most of his work is painted with Du
Pont Hot Hues urethanes. “In the pinstriping community, urethanes are getting
more and more popular,” says Ripley. What he likes about urethanes is that they
flow out nicely, they cover better and are durable.
 |
| After conducting a pinstriping class using urethane paints, Mark Ripley tried his hand at glass gilding. |
“When it comes to
durability, urethanes are bulletproof,” Ripley says. “I can take a screwdriver
and try to scratch over my pinstriping and the paint doesn’t chip off. You can’t
do that with the softer enamels.”
durability, urethanes are bulletproof,” Ripley says. “I can take a screwdriver
and try to scratch over my pinstriping and the paint doesn’t chip off. You can’t
do that with the softer enamels.”
In his seminar, Ripley
explained the chemistry of urethanes. The Du Pont paints are similar to the urethanes of a factory
paint job. Unlike enamels, urethanes
always require a hardener. He points out that when he stripes with enamels, he
often adds hardener. “Hardener is a must if you clear coat your job,” he
says.
explained the chemistry of urethanes. The Du Pont paints are similar to the urethanes of a factory
paint job. Unlike enamels, urethanes
always require a hardener. He points out that when he stripes with enamels, he
often adds hardener. “Hardener is a must if you clear coat your job,” he
says.
Ripley points out that
painters all have their favorite tools that they depend on. For striping,
Ripley prefers to use Mack’s Von Dago brushes and Kafka scrolling brushes. What
he likes about these brushes is their ability to pull fine lines. Of course,
professional results also depend on the ability of the striper.
painters all have their favorite tools that they depend on. For striping,
Ripley prefers to use Mack’s Von Dago brushes and Kafka scrolling brushes. What
he likes about these brushes is their ability to pull fine lines. Of course,
professional results also depend on the ability of the striper.
Glass Gilding Techniques
Many of this year’s geezers
glided glass panels as part of “Bazooka
Joe” Balabuszko’s seminar on water gilding. His hands-on class covered substrate
cleaning, preparation of water size and gilding techniques. Balabuszko also
showed sign makers how to blend two
colors of gold leaf. In his demonstration, he first applied 23-karat gold leaf.
After it had dried, he uses 0000 steel wool to feather the lower edge of the
gilding. Then Balabuszko applies 12-karat gold leaf.
glided glass panels as part of “Bazooka
Joe” Balabuszko’s seminar on water gilding. His hands-on class covered substrate
cleaning, preparation of water size and gilding techniques. Balabuszko also
showed sign makers how to blend two
colors of gold leaf. In his demonstration, he first applied 23-karat gold leaf.
After it had dried, he uses 0000 steel wool to feather the lower edge of the
gilding. Then Balabuszko applies 12-karat gold leaf.
Participants worked on their
glass panels through the Geezer Gathering. During this event, Bazooka Joe from
Saint Louis Park, MN answered many of sign painters’ questions. He shared
many of his gilding secrets, which he learned as a union sign painter in
Chicago. In addition to being one of the
original members of the Chicago Brushmasters, Balabuszko is presently a member of the
Colleagues of Calligraphy, based in Minneapolis, and previously was a member of
the Society of Gilders.
glass panels through the Geezer Gathering. During this event, Bazooka Joe from
Saint Louis Park, MN answered many of sign painters’ questions. He shared
many of his gilding secrets, which he learned as a union sign painter in
Chicago. In addition to being one of the
original members of the Chicago Brushmasters, Balabuszko is presently a member of the
Colleagues of Calligraphy, based in Minneapolis, and previously was a member of
the Society of Gilders.
Carving HDU
 |
| During the Geezer Gathering, Butch “Superfrog” Anton taught a class on how to carve both incised lettering and raised lettering. |
Butch Anton also conducted a
hands-on class in carving. Butch taught his guests how to carve both incised
and raised lettering in high density urethane panels. His class covered
material selection, project layout, job safety and adhesives used in gluing
panels as well as priming and painting carved HDU.
hands-on class in carving. Butch taught his guests how to carve both incised
and raised lettering in high density urethane panels. His class covered
material selection, project layout, job safety and adhesives used in gluing
panels as well as priming and painting carved HDU.
 |
| Butch's Geezer Gathering was blessed with pleasant Minnesota weather leaving the attendees wishing that they could extent their stays. |
During the 2017 Geezer
Gathering, Sandy Anton was the hostess who did the mostest work. Nearly everyone
else played or relaxed, although Jim Gleason helped with the grilling. Sam
Sanfilippo, owner of Skidmore Sign Company in Birmingham, AL and a Wall Dogs
mural artist, also helped out with the kitchen duties. Last year Sam treated
the old geezers to his praline bread pudding. Upon popular request, he cooked
up another large pan of this delicious dessert.
Gathering, Sandy Anton was the hostess who did the mostest work. Nearly everyone
else played or relaxed, although Jim Gleason helped with the grilling. Sam
Sanfilippo, owner of Skidmore Sign Company in Birmingham, AL and a Wall Dogs
mural artist, also helped out with the kitchen duties. Last year Sam treated
the old geezers to his praline bread pudding. Upon popular request, he cooked
up another large pan of this delicious dessert.
 |
| Along with cooking Praline Bread Pudding, Sam Sanfilippo also found time to paint. |
Vendors, who helped sponsor
the Geezer Gathering included Ronan Paint, Precision Board, Earl Mich, RTape, Iwata, Rapid Tac and W & B Gold Leaf, LLC. These generous companies provided samples of their products for
the attendees to use in decorating glass and metal panels and carving raised and incised lettering in high
density urethane.
the Geezer Gathering included Ronan Paint, Precision Board, Earl Mich, RTape, Iwata, Rapid Tac and W & B Gold Leaf, LLC. These generous companies provided samples of their products for
the attendees to use in decorating glass and metal panels and carving raised and incised lettering in high
density urethane.
As usual, Butch and Sandy
were the perfect hosts. To top the festivities off, the Minnesota weather this
year was absolutely beautiful, leaving the attendees wishing that they could
extend their stays as well as looking forward to next year.
were the perfect hosts. To top the festivities off, the Minnesota weather this
year was absolutely beautiful, leaving the attendees wishing that they could
extend their stays as well as looking forward to next year.
About Jim Hingst: After fourteen years as Business Development Manager at RTape, Jim Hingst retired. He was involved in many facets of the company’s business, including marketing, sales, product development and technical service.
Hingst began his career 42 years ago in the graphic arts field creating and producing advertising and promotional materials for a large test equipment manufacturer. Working for offset printers, large format screen printers, vinyl film manufacturers, and application tape companies, his experience included estimating, production planning, purchasing and production art, as well as sales and marketing. In his capacity as a salesman, Hingst was recognized with numerous sales achievement awards.
Drawing on his experience in production and as graphics installation subcontractor, Hingst provided the industry with practical advice, publishing more than 150 articles for publications, such as Signs Canada, SignCraft, Signs of the Times, Screen Printing, Sign and Digital Graphics and Sign Builder Illustrated. He also posted more than 400 stories on his blog (hingstssignpost.blogspot.com). In 2007 Hingst’s book, Vinyl Sign Techniques, was published. Vinyl Sign Techniques is available at sign supply distributors and at Amazon.
