Alumilite Question

[reiddog1]

I've been casting with Simlar 41 for a while, but wanted to try my hand with some alumilite white. I know that they have special dyes that work with alumilite, but I mainly use Pearl-ex pigments. Has anyone had a problem with the pearl-ex colors blending together with alumilite, or do they stay pretty much seperate? Hope that mades sense. Thanks in advance.

Dave

 

[Justturnin]

I mainly use Pearlex and Coastal scents for my alumilite pigments with no issues

 

[Sylvanite]

Alumilite White is an opaque resin. Mica powders such as Pearl-ex and those sold by Coastal Scents don't work well with it. They are great for transparent resins such as Silmar 41 and Alumilite Clear, but you really need the Alumilite Dyes for Alumilite White.

I hope that helps,
Eric

 

[reiddog1]

Eric,

So your recommendation would be to use the dye and maybe some micropearl for the sparkle?

Alumilite White is an opaque resin. Mica powders such as Pearl-ex and those sold by Coastal Scents don't work well with it. They are great for transparent resins such as Silmar 41 and Alumilite Clear, but you really need the Alumilite Dyes for Alumilite White.

I hope that helps,
Eric

 

[redneckmedic]

Someone recently did a review of the different types of alumalite their hardness/viscosity/brittleness/oder/color... if someone can help me find it, I'm sure it would be good to have for your research too.

http://www.penturners.org/forum/f43/differences-alumilite-forumlations-88906/

 

[ronfinch]

Colors don't blend very much, but do a little. Sparkle in the white Alumilite won't show much, if any. Alumilite clear is what you want when using mica's for the "sparkle"!

 

[ronfinch]

Alumilite clear pics....

 

[Sylvanite]

So your recommendation would be to use the dye and maybe some micropearl for the sparkle?

I once tried adding mica powder to dyed Alumilite White. I couldn't tell that it made any difference over the dye alone.

Regards,
Eric

 

[Brooks803]

Do remember that you only have 2mins to get alumilite white under pressure! That means you really only have 30secs-1min to mix any colors in before getting it sealed in the pressure pot. Alumilite clear you have 7mins which is plenty of time.

 

[John Den]

Alumilite clear pics....

Ron/
Your pictures have made me want to have a go at casting.
Smells from the integral garage make casting PR almost impossible to contemplate with the sensitive noses of my daughter and wife. Alumilite clear would appear to be an excellent alternative.
Just another thing to try after my first kitless!!
Regards and thanks!
John

 

[Sylvanite]

...you only have 2mins to get alumilite white under pressure! That means you really only have 30secs-1min to mix any colors in before getting it sealed in the pressure pot.

I stir the colors into the A side before mixing in the B side. With the mold already set up in the pressure pot, that gives me just enough time to pour, swirl, and get the lid on before Alumilite White kicks off.

I also mix mica powders into the A side of Alumilite Clear before combining with side B. I usuallly have to stir the various colors selectively to get them to gel at the same time. Again though, as soon as they gel, the resin goes into the mold. There's very little time between gelling and setting.

Regards,
Eric

 

[reiddog1]

Thanks for all of the input fellas. Looks like alumilite clear is going to be more my speed since I already own about 20 bottles of pearl-ex. Thanks again!!

Dave