mixing colors I'm confused

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sgimbel

sgimbel

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Dec 23, 2008
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Round Rock, Texas
I've watched the you tube video until I have it memorized. I'm trying to mix 2 colors. I mix in separate cups, add mekp to 1 and put it in mold. After a couple minutes I add mepk to 2nd cup and am always checking the 1st color for jelling but by the time I add the 2nd color to mold the 1st color has already set up and it's like moving a snake with a stick.

The question?

Can I add the 2nd color before the 1st one jells as long as I just slowly mix them to I have 2 distint colors? This is getting real frustrating. I still end up with great blanks but I want the colors mixed more.
 
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sgimbel said:
I've watched the you tube video until I have it memorized. I'm trying to mix 2 colors. I mix in separate cups, add mekp to 1 and put it in mold. After a couple minutes I add mepk to 2nd cup and am always checking the 1st color for jelling but by the time I add the 2nd color to mold the 1st color has already set up and it's like moving a snake with a stick.

The question?

Can I add the 2nd color before the 1st one jells as long as I just slowly mix them to I have 2 distint colors? This is getting real frustrating. I still end up with great blanks but I want the colors mixed more.
Click to expand...

The short answer is yes. However, the more fluid they are the greater chance they will mix and you won't have a solid seperation line.
 
I think you might be adding your 2nd color too soon. How i do it is I pour my colors in seperate cups, add catalyst to both (i usually do 4-5 drops per oz.) and wait for them to gel (thick like maple syrup) and then pour both colors into the mold (you can experiment with how you pour) and I use a dental pick to swirl, make sure when you swirl to try and get the resin on the very bottom swirled as well so you get a good mix. If you have everything timed just right you will have good color separation. Here's how mine get if I do it right (which isn't everytime but I usually get it close):

both of the red/white blanks are what you can get if you don't swirl whats on the bottom. Good luck! and post your results!

edit: Forget the whole "I think you're adding the 2nd color too soon"....i wasn't paying attention. Best I can say is try to get both colors set enough so they won't run together.
 
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As Bruce said- you're waiting just a little too long.

If you sit there and gently move your stir stick around after adding the catalyst your resin will change from the consistency of
water -> Syrup -> Old Honey -> Mayonaise -> PeanutButter -> Solid
0...........15min..........20min..........22min.............23min............1hr+
(times assume about 4-5 drops/fluid oz of Silmar41 and vary with everything from the temp, size of MEKP drop, shape of your mixing cup and phase of the moon)

You're waiting until it becomes mayonaise. You want to wait until at least the syrup stage, preferably the "Old Honey" stage. Looking at Bruce's picture, I'd guess the top Green/white one was done at the "Old Honey" Stage- see how large the lines are? While his middle (red/white) one shows much finer swirls- it was probably poured while the resin was runnier.

I usually don't wait much between adding the catalyst to the 2nd color, I just watch them. When either one starts to thicken, I pour.
 
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I have ADD (doesn't everyone in IT?). If I wait for the resin to firm up I'll get distracted and miss the window.

So I have a little kitchen timer. I set it for 10 minutes after mixing the MEKP in. By the time I get back over there and check the consistency, it's right at the "syrup" stage. I can hang for a few minutes if I want it thicker, etc.

But I find that I often prefer the mix runny method. I've done it in slab molds and pipes.

In a slab mold, alternate the colors pouring in single figure 8's until the mold is full. This pen was done that way with black, antique silver, and aztec gold. You can see the starbursts of color in the black due to a lot of blending on a flat plane.

euroblkgldslvr.jpg

Better Pic:

blackgoldsilversmall.jpg

In a pipe, you alternate pouring 1/4" at a time (or however you want to do it.) Sometimes you get large smears, sometimes you get flame shapes.

This one is black red and yellow...

pentelflames01.jpg
 
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I have had more then one time , the 1st color in the mold get to the point of being one gelled mass and poured the second color over it and carefully cut into the first color with 2 pop sickle sticks and pull it apart.
I go all over the over hardened first color pulling it apart and letting the still liquid ooz down and fill in the void. I have gotten some of my coolest looking blanks doing that but have also introduced a lot of air doing it that way.
 
I mix both colors and add MEKP to each. As soon as they start to thicken, I pour them both in the mold, kinda pouring them around one another, if that makes sense. I then gently mix them just a bit with a stir stick.
 
sbell111 said:
I mix both colors and add MEKP to each. As soon as they start to thicken, I pour them both in the mold, kinda pouring them around one another, if that makes sense. I then gently mix them just a bit with a stir stick.
Click to expand...

Yep. Give it a go. Just don't get too quick on the mixing. Over time you will get a better feel for the "sweet spot" time to pour.

Don't give up....it takes time and conditions change all the time making casting challenging all the time!!! Best you can do is have good techniques and a good log book.
 
3Peake said:
Sorry to but in on the thread,but Brooks803 what pigment do you use to get the bright metallic white?
Click to expand...


It's a combination of pearl white mica powder from coastalscents, and the castin craft white pigment...it brightens the mica considerably. You could probably get the same effect from gloss white enamel paint and some pearl ex if you don't have the other stuff available in your area.
 
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