We apply 2 undercoats & 1 coat of silver
or white paint
- Re Lettering a Granite Headstone
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- After the headstone is cleaned, ( See the cleaning page for details ) two coats of undercoat are then carefully applied to the headstone lettering. ( See the cleaning page for details )
- After drying the top coat of silver is then applied ( usually silver but can be any colour ).
- If additional colour is needed (see headstone image) the final coat of colour or colours is also carefully painted and left overnight to dry.
- The next task is to "cut" the granite headstone with a special soft cutting stone such as a soft pumice with plenty of water to remove the unwanted paint leaving just the letter indentations with paint.
- Grave site base concrete can also be painted if required, any colour.
- Granite is used for making sculptures, gravestones and memorials. It can be carved by hand or by using computer-controlled rotary bits.
The cutting of the lettering is formed by sandblasting over computer generated stencils.
A liquid glue is first applied to the headstone and the rubber stencil is then applied over the glue and covered with a carbon-backed layout of the design. - The carbon transfers the design prepared by the draftsman onto the rubber stencil. The worker then cuts out the letters and design features that are wanted on the stone, exposing them to the sandblasting.
- Re Lettering a White Marble Headstone
- After the headstone is cleaned, the remaining lead lettering is then carefully panel beaten back into place using a special soft hammer. ( See the cleaning page for details )
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- The art of replacing these missing lead letters is all but gone with the passing of time but fortunately a process is available to going some way to making the inscription very readable.
- This process is similar to the Granite stone re lettering except because of the porous nature of the White Marble stone only one or maybe two coats of paint are necessary.
Using this technique these older marble headstones can be made to look presentable again. - Over time the stone erodes and the lead lettering can become loose and begin to peel.
- The lettering is attached to the gravestone by small lead pegs and these become loose.
The lead lettering begins to curl away from the surface and eventually drops out.
The impression of the lettering, complete with peg holes, is visible in older white marble headstones. This natural ageing process tends to make the inscriptions hard to read and can look very tattered before the restoration as described above is completed.
Your family gave site will look like brand new again.
Take a look at our Gallery page to see examples of completed work.
I
wish to confirm that we have been to view the Koro headstone and we are so pleased with the service you have provided.It was truly heart warming to see him all polished up again,
I have one very happy Grandmother.
Hine Bramald
Waitara Cemetery
Waitara Cemetery
Thank you so much for the amazing job you have done. We are heading down next weekend so will be able to see it in person however the photos like great, what a difference.Once again thank you for your amazing service and I will go onto your website and give you a review. Regards
Jacqui Tarawa
Taumarunui Cemetery
Taumarunui Cemetery