Haynie
Member
In another thread I was complaining about getting epoxy air bubbles between the tube and the blank, even on a tube I reverse painted. One blank I did not want to reverse paint because I got some killer texture on the brass tube. Let me explain what I had and you folks might be able to tell me it is possible.
I had a blue and white swirled blank from Buzzzz. After drilling I could see that it was pretty translucent and painted the brass tube blue. Nice even coat. I got to thinking and realized that if the blank was translucent at full size it would be see through when I turned it down. I have seen pens that had the tube painted nice and smooth, and I did not like it. I have also seen blanks reverse painted. When the barrel is turned I have seen brush strokes. I did not want that either. So off to the wire wheel I went and stripped the paint. Then repainted for texture. I wanted the receiver, if they looked close enough, to see some texture inside the blank. I was right, it gave it that extra umph I was looking for. The darn air bubbles ruined it though.
Now here is my question:
Ed suggested I texture the tube then cast around it. Is it possible to cast around a brass tube and still get the swirly two or three color combination? I wanted the tube to be a subtle undertone to the blank's coolness.
Seems like this would be problematic because you could not stir very well.
Here is how I textured the brass tube. (Work away from all flammable materials)
1-rough the tube
2-Heat tube quite hot with torch
3-quick spray light coat
4-let tube cool. Paint will cure and bake on glossy smooth
5-Heat tube again
6-spray tube all over and quickly hit it with the torch again to set it on fire.
7-Let it cool and repeat number 6 until you get the amount of texture you want.
This does not work with all spray paints. I was using Duplicolor for cars and Outboard paint from Bombardier.
I had a blue and white swirled blank from Buzzzz. After drilling I could see that it was pretty translucent and painted the brass tube blue. Nice even coat. I got to thinking and realized that if the blank was translucent at full size it would be see through when I turned it down. I have seen pens that had the tube painted nice and smooth, and I did not like it. I have also seen blanks reverse painted. When the barrel is turned I have seen brush strokes. I did not want that either. So off to the wire wheel I went and stripped the paint. Then repainted for texture. I wanted the receiver, if they looked close enough, to see some texture inside the blank. I was right, it gave it that extra umph I was looking for. The darn air bubbles ruined it though.
Now here is my question:
Ed suggested I texture the tube then cast around it. Is it possible to cast around a brass tube and still get the swirly two or three color combination? I wanted the tube to be a subtle undertone to the blank's coolness.
Seems like this would be problematic because you could not stir very well.
Here is how I textured the brass tube. (Work away from all flammable materials)
1-rough the tube
2-Heat tube quite hot with torch
3-quick spray light coat
4-let tube cool. Paint will cure and bake on glossy smooth
5-Heat tube again
6-spray tube all over and quickly hit it with the torch again to set it on fire.
7-Let it cool and repeat number 6 until you get the amount of texture you want.
This does not work with all spray paints. I was using Duplicolor for cars and Outboard paint from Bombardier.
