Q&A for How to Paint a Barn Quilt

No, this would not be a good idea. Clear varnish usually shortens the length of time your barn quilt will look good by either weathering off or yellowing.

No. Polyurethane will wear off or discolor. It usually shortens the length of time your block looks good.

Using quarter or half-inch plywood, use 1 1/4" self tapping stainless screws long enough to go through barn siding. Use a small-headed hex-head screw about every two feet all around the board. If you're going through steel siding, use stainless steel cap screws on some of the mountings, about half, with nuts and washers, if accessible on the inside.

That is a matter of personal preference. Flat can show stains and is not as durable as semi gloss. You can always go satin exterior, which isn't as shiny but still more durable than flat.

Not at all! You can use a good-quality exterior latex paint. The more coats you put on, the longer it will last. You will also need more of your primer paint, but smaller quantities of your design colors.

Use a polyurethane automotive two coat system. Automotive polyurethane clear has a built in sunscreen, and will not peel. You can use regular plywood or optimum dura-ply material built out with primer or any paint, then apply clear-coat after colors are achieved.

Use the plywood side, as the side with boards will be hard to paint because of the cracks/spaces between each board, which will show. The plywood side will be smooth and continuous lines will be easier to paint too.

You can Google "Barn Quilt Patterns" or go on Pinterest and search for "Barn Quilts."

I would not use interior paint in any type of exterior project, even with a finish coat.

A 4' X 4' or a 4'X8' sheet of plywood would allow 2 Quilts. The thicker the plywood the heavier it becomes, but also more durable.

Yes, as long as you use oil based paint.

Exterior paint would work best if you're hanging it outside. I would not recommend using interior paint for any outside project.

Yes.

If you're painting a curve, you won't be able to tape it, since tape only forms straight lines. It's best to use a pattern that only has straight lines so that you can tape it and paint it easily.

If you pull off the tape with the paint is still wet, it shouldn't form a ridge. If you don't like the way it looks, though, you can always touch up the edge with a paintbrush when you finish painting.

If you used interior paint or some kind of acrylic craft paint, you can spray your completed barn quilt with two coats of polyurethane as a sealer. However, if you used exterior latex paint, you don't have to.

Framing is optional but it can look nice! Many people don't frame their barn quilts.

Assuming you're talking about the US flag, the width of the star area should be 2 ft and the height of the star area should be 1 ft 5 inches for a 3 ft X 5 ft flag.

Start with an exterior latex primer so your pattern will look better and the wood won't show through. Use at least 3 layers of primer for the best coverage, and let each layer dry before you apply another. To paint your pattern, use an exterior latex paint, which will adhere to the primer and the wood the best. Choose any color you like and use a roller and a paint brush to apply the paint.

Apply 3 coats of a white latex primer to cover the surface of the wood. Make sure each layer is fully dry before you apply another. Choose a pattern that you like and use painter's tape to tape off the pattern on the surface so you can create smooth and even lines. Use an exterior latex paint to paint over the board and let it dry. Then, remove the painter's tape and reapply it to complete the pattern. Paint over the board again and let the paint dry before you remove the tape.

Since you're painting on the surface of the plywood, you want it to be smooth and consistent. Choose a square of smooth, pressure-treated plywood, such as signboard, sanded plywood, or a medium-density fiberboard. A common size is 4 by 4 feet (120 by 120 cm), but you can make your barn quilt whatever size you want.