Paint pen over finish

[Matt Day]

I'm going to be making a big ruler as a growth chart for my daughter, so I'll need to record her height each year. I plan to use walnut and a white and pink paint pens for the ruler and height markings.

The question is, what type of finish should I use? I was thinking something like BLO or Tung Oil.

Thanks!

[Rich Engelhardt]

Either one would work.
I'd hit it with a couple coats of Zinsser Seal Coat after the oil though.
The oil will really ring out the color and grain of the walnut & the Seal Coat will seal the wood up so the paint pens don't bleed across the wood fibers.
That way the marks will stay nice and sharp and not look fuzzy.

[Matt Day]

Good idea Rich. I'll be sure to do some test pieces first as we'll.
thanks