color pouring?

[harrisbm]

Okay, I have gotten my college team colors down with the Alumilite: http://www.cal-print.com/InkColorChart.htm
(This chart really helps out
But now I'm having issues with mixing the two colors together. I am basically mixing up a 2 oz. blue cup of Alumilite and then a 2 oz. orange cup (mold is horizontal, silicone, 4 oz total). As you guys know, there is a small window of opportunity to get this stuff in the mold and into the pressure pot before it sets up, so I'm pouring quickly.
I'm attempting to mix the colors into the mold, but the blue just simply dominates the orange color and seeps into it; causing the entire blank to go more or less very dark (see second picture where I tried three seperate times without any luck; two where too dark; one too light) Not happy with this outcome. I've attached a pic of what I'm attempting to do with the blue and orange Alumilite (first picture)....what am I doing wrong and how can I achieve better results like the first attached picture?

 

[Justturnin]

On the alumilite site they mix the resin and dip a stick in the dye and stir it in while the resin is already in the mold. Could you do orange resin and with a stick dipped in the blue make some blue swirl lines?

 

[jason_r]

It looks like you're using a translucent color. You might try going with a more opaque color- you'll lose chatoyance, but should gain color definition.

This is because even where the resin doesn't mix, the light passing through it does. I've seen ribbon casts with a yellow ribbon and a blue field take on a greenish tint to the ribbon because blue light was bleeding into them- I know the colors didn't mix.

 

[JohnU]

The first picture you posted was made with ribbons. The dark color was poured very thin (like on a sheet of glass so you can peal it off) and when set up but not hard it was bent and twisted in the mold with the lighter color poured over it. I know people do it with poly resin like Silmar41 but I know nothing about Alumilite or if it can be done. There are the best of the best Alumilite casters here. Hopefully someone can shed some light on it for you.

 

[ed4copies]

I'd wager quite a lot that the first picture you show is a commercial acrylic. Those ARE made with ribbons, bit it is unlikely you will make a similar blank in your "kitchen".

JohnU's information is absolutely correct, but I have never seen a homemade that even came close to the commercial----YMMV!!

 

[harrisbm]

Thanks for the info guys!
Pouring a thin PR line and letting it gel till it is flexable, but yet not solid sounds good.
So Ed, due to my lack of experience and just simply being new to this whole process of casting, why would someone in their "kitchen" not be able to get at least close to what the commercial companies get? Is there something in the process that simply cannot be done in a home shop?
Oh, and the first pic I just pulled off of a web site and I do think it's acrylic.
Thanks for the help people and keep the ideas coming in for this newbie! :biggrin: