Gradient Woodburning

Learning how to work your 1800-watt heat gun is the main focus when you are going for the gradient burn look. First, you’ll need to apply your woodburning gel on your sticky stencil that is on your prepped surface. Do not burn on pre-treated surfaces, painted surfaces, stained surfaces, etc.

After you have applied the gel, wait 5 minutes before pulling off the stencil, then wait another 5 minutes to start the burn process. You will start burning for approximately 3 minutes before the burn starts to transpire your surface.

Keep your heat gun moving in circles around your surface and do not let the heat gun stay in one place too long. Once you start seeing a light brown color appear, you can determine which areas you want to have the gradient look. Do you want your letters to be half and half (half light and half dark)? Do you want a random gradient look on your design? For this project, I chose the random gradient look.

Move your heat gun around each area that you want a darker burn, and slowing move the heat gun down toward your surface and back up. Move with a moderate speed as you do not want to see scorch marks appear on the surface outside of your intended design. Repeat this process as you go and determine when you have the look you want with light and dark burns.

Let your project completely cool before applying your finishing sealer.