Does anyone know what the black coating is?

[ProntoPrinter]

I have a client who would like for us to create a new sign that has the same build and finish as their preexisting directional signage. We had no part in making the directional signs and they're unable to give me any details from whomever did. The sign is pretty straightforward except for this black coating on the face. I have no idea what this stuff is. Any help/direction would be greatly appreciated! Photos are attached for reference and other photos are available if these aren't enough.

 

[BigNate]

powder-coat is what it looks like.... is the sign metal?

 

[ProntoPrinter]

powder-coat is what it looks like.... is the sign metal?

hmmm...I've never known powder coating to be soft-ish or able to be scraped off with a fingernail. They like that pock-mark-looking finish for some reason...not my favorite and a pain in the butt to take vinyl off of! The sign material is wood. Thanks for your input!

 

[BigNate]

hmmm...I've never known powder coating to be soft-ish or able to be scraped off with a fingernail. They like that pock-mark-looking finish for some reason...not my favorite and a pain in the butt to take vinyl off of! The sign material is wood. Thanks for your input!

then definately NOT powdercoat - or at least not the normal stuff I am used to... any other details? it is on wood, soft... rubbery? could it be just a poorly cured paint?? how thick is it?

you can tell it was a liquid for at least a short time based on how the surface was trying to flow together and smooth out - but it solidified before the surface finished. Powdercoat does this when melted - lots of paints will do this when too thick a wet layer is applied (but then the effect seems to be what they were going for.... maybe this was an on-purpose poor application of paint --- too thick which looked good, but is still a little soft and able to be scraped off with a fingernail.....)

 

[BigNate]

... a quick drying spray paint, one that is flexible enough for plastics, will fizz a little like a soda (but with it's solvent/propellent) - when you lay a really thick pool, the quick drying paint with popping bubbles gives that same look..... now I am really curious what the original is.

edit: I am leaning toward this as pretty likely - look closely at the smoother areas vs the more pockmarked areas. this is exactly how slightly un-even, too thick, fizzing spray paint behaves. i would bet the very smooth areas are almost twice as thick as the more pockmarked areas.

 

[ProntoPrinter]

You might be on to something about the paint. It does have a similar hardness to a wall that has a couple coats of paint. You can dig your fingernail in and chip away at it. I’ve accidentally scraped some away removing vinyl. It’s hard enough that you can’t make a dent by pushing on it but something thin and rigid goes right through.

There’s like 40+ of these signs in their office and they all look this way. What types/brands of paint would you suggest it test to try and get this finish?

 

[Johnny Best]

oil base enamel paint

 

[CanuckSigns]

This just looks like a shitty paint job