mica how much?

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sgimbel

sgimbel

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I'm going to take my 1st crack at casting. Coastal Scents has mica on sale. How much to I need for swirly effects in blanks? Is the teaspoon sampler enough to learn on or do I need larger quanties? Remember I'm just starting out. I have a 4 blank mold.
 
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The teaspoon will probably give you a cast or maybe two....

I put ~1ml of mica in every 2 oz of resin. It doesn't take a bunch to get the swirl but the more you put in the more opaque your cast will be.

If you are just starting, the smaller amount may work but if you plan to cast for a while, i would go with the next bigger sizes and have it in the house.
 
sgimbel said:
Is mics powder what I am looking for? Any other suggestions for tinting other that paint?
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Micas will give you the swirling affect you are looking for. Paints will give you an opaque solid color with no depth.

I have also used PR Pigments. It is just like paint only easier to mix in. It gives a solid opaque color with no depth.

Pearl Ex powders are just like MICA but more expensive, IIRC. They come in smaller containers and are available at most Michaels locations. So, if you want to buy locally that is an option also.
 
I've found the mica powders to be the best for casting colors. If you're starting out I'd go for the sample baggies and find what colors work best for your needs. I just put in an order to restock and I bought 14 1oz jars bc I do alot of casting and I get several orders for custom blanks so I need to have several colors to mix in stock. You might want to consider buying the larger sizes in your main colors (black, white, red, blue, etc.) bc you'll always use those compared to the more specialized colors. Since you're starting out take advantage of the discount and also if you spend over $50 (which I did today) you get free fedex shipping. Best of luck and have fun and feel free to ask questions along the way, thats why we're here.
 
I just ordered the starter set, 1 oz, and 2 other colors to get over the $50 mark. Now I need to order casting resin. The stuff at Hobby Lobby is $19.99 for a pint. That seems redicously high. Suggestions where to buy resin and what kind?
 
Sorry Scott, I do not intend to highjack you thread, but can someone give us newbees an idea what is the most accurate way of measuring pigment?. What I have trouble in working out is when using Pearl-ex (Power) and adding them to Resin (Liquid) measured in (flozs or ml) what measurement covers the two different materials.
The answer is most likely staring me in the face, but I usualy have a measuring spoon of 1ml and us this to scoop the powder into the liquid.????
 
I use popsicle sticks for mixing my resin and to measure I take a pinky nail size clump on the end of a popsicle stick per ounce of resin , sometimes a little more if I need a totally opaque color like Black or White . Measured out , that works out to about 1/8 teaspoon per ounce of resin .
 
ldb2000 said:
I use popsicle sticks for mixing my resin and to measure I take a pinky nail size clump on the end of a popsicle stick per ounce of resin , sometimes a little more if I need a totally opaque color like Black or White . Measured out , that works out to about 1/8 teaspoon per ounce of resin .
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Ditto! As far as the resin goes, most people that start with castin craft resin switch to Silmar 41 after about 1-2 cans worth of resin. If you want to save yourself some trouble and save a bit of $ (unless you have access to coupons galore) check out www.uscomposites.com and look up silmar 41 polyester resin. I buy the 5gal buckets since I do so much casting.
 
That's not highjacking my thread. I just hadn't asked it yet. I was reading in the library there are some usefull tutorials there, at least for background.
 
Popsicle sticks: Dollar Tree 90 for a buck
Resin: US Composites Silmar 41
Mixing Cups: Paper cups, plastic cups with the "1" in the triangle (I forget what others...) cut up silicone baking cups. I use the paper cups at the moment.
Mica: Lots of places sell it. Coastal Scents has the best variety. But as mentioned, Michael's sells the starter packs of PearlX for $20. Get your half off coupon and it's not too expensive. Hobby Lobby sells a limited selection of the larger containers of PearlX.

I put in as much color as I feel it needs. I don't measure, I just add until I'm happy. The only caution is too much added can make the resin brittle, or not cure properly.

Work in a place that can be destroyed by resin drips. If you are constantly worrying about having to clean up you won't enjoy it. I built a quick and dirty little mixing table out of 2x6" pine. Just screwed together.

Have fun!
 
If you want to be able to measure for repeatability you can get a set of kitchen measuring spoons and use the 1/8th and 1/4, ect teaspoon for measuring.

Since I measure in metric. I use mL scoops. They used to be carried at Michaels but I haven't found them the last few times I have been in.

http://www.texasart.com/store/view/003/group_id/7233/US-Art-Quest-5-Little-Dippers.htm
http://www.misterart.com/g7233/US-Art-Quest-5-Little-Dippers.htm
about the middle of the page...
http://www.polymerclayexpress.com/applicators.html
 
I guess i am a weirdo, or a cheapo, or just stupid....


I use a FRACTION of what other people are using i guess. For a 5 ounce cup of resin, I will add one pinky nail sized clump... maybe two if i want it to be extra strong. I do this because the color will be plenty visible in the blank, and i can control darkness or lightness by using a different color of paint on the tubes.

There are special circumstances of course... If i am casting a burl, then i use alot more mica so the painting of tubes isnt as important, but for a straight PR blank, I think a heavy amount of mica is a waste.
 
For buying pearl-ex powders go to amazon.com search "pearl-ex" I purchase series 1 & 2 for 12.50 @ just last week
 
For measuring dry pigments I use teaspoons, and then a pinch/dash/smidge set of teaspoons which I believe go 1/8, 1/16/ 1/32 and 1/64 tsp. Those are the numbers in the Resin Color Library

Exactly what you measure with is less important than:
1) it be controllable
2) it is repeatable.

With Micas the more you put in the more opaque it'll be- and you'll have less chatoyance (that's the 3-D effect). So "how much should I use" really depends on "what effect do I want".
 
PTownSubbie said:
sgimbel said:
Is mics powder what I am looking for? Any other suggestions for tinting other that paint?
Click to expand...

Micas will give you the swirling affect you are looking for. Paints will give you an opaque solid color with no depth.

I have also used PR Pigments. It is just like paint only easier to mix in. It gives a solid opaque color with no depth.

Pearl Ex powders are just like MICA but more expensive, IIRC. They come in smaller containers and are available at most Michaels locations. So, if you want to buy locally that is an option also.
Click to expand...

Now I find just the opposite...pearlex is cheaper than Mica. Unless there is a better source for Mica than coastal scents.

Pearlex at Dharma trading, 3/4 ounce no matter what the color, 3.65

Mica at coastal scents, 1 ounce $5 and up depends on the color. If it was all colors at $5, you take away 25% to make 3/4 ounce and it's 3.75.

Regardless though...the stuff is expensive. Doesn't matter which one or if you switch back and forth between the two..it is nothing to drop a couple hundred bucks on what seems like no powder at all.!
 
Any thoughts on glitter instead?

Instead of using mica, any thoughts on using pearl or metallic glitter (polyester) either mixed directly into clear (or tinted) PR or glued directly to the tube and then cast in clear PR.

Thanks,
Greg
 
greg1205 said:
Instead of using mica, any thoughts on using pearl or metallic glitter (polyester) either mixed directly into clear (or tinted) PR or glued directly to the tube and then cast in clear PR.

Thanks,
Greg
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I've only tried mixing in glitter a few times and every time no matter how thick the resin is when I pour the blank the glitter has always settled to the bottom of the blank. Yes you will get some but nothing like you'd probably want. I think the idea of gluing directly to the tube and clear casting would be best. Won't hurt to give it a try anyhow! Let us know the results you get.
 
I get popsical sticks at Michaels 1000 for $3.99, Package of 200 9 oz. clear cocktail glasses Members Mark with #1 and E on the bottom for $9.00
 
ldb2000 said:
I use popsicle sticks for mixing my resin and to measure I take a pinky nail size clump on the end of a popsicle stick per ounce of resin , sometimes a little more if I need a totally opaque color like Black or White . Measured out , that works out to about 1/8 teaspoon per ounce of resin .
Click to expand...

I use almost this exact proceedure. FWIW, you can buy a teaspoon measuring set at the dollar store. I have found that the 1/8 teaspoon measure of PearlEx per ounce works nicely for me too.
 
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