My colors just blend to one

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RDH79

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Rimersburg, Pa, USA.
Ihave gone through a gallon of PRand still have this problem. I mix up 2 colors and wait for a while till hey start to get thick. Pour them together and they look good but by the time they set-up they are blended to one color. Am I getting in to big of a hurry mixing them together? Or what???? Just got a new gallon and want to try other ways.
Thanks Rich H
 
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RDH79 said:
Ihave gone through a gallon of PRand still have this problem. I mix up 2 colors and wait for a while till hey start to get thick. Pour them together and they look good but by the time they set-up they are blended to one color. Am I getting in to big of a hurry mixing them together? Or what???? Just got a new gallon and want to try other ways.
Thanks Rich H
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Wait longer to mix them....they need to be in more of a gel-like state before mixing. How long are you waiting now?
 
Hi Brian,Well I dont wait that long Its getting thicker when I pour. I guess I better wait longer. But it seems like it is taking along time to set up. Even when it is warmin the shop. I was just afraid that it would set up and I wouldnt be able to get the bubbles out with the presure pot. My first pour was like that full of bubbles and brittle as glass. I use Artstuff pigments. and Silmar 41. Thanks Rich H.
 
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If you could post pics, it may help.

But I found blending happens if they're:

*Poured together too soon
*Placed on a vibrating surface while curing
*Not enough MEKP was used

A quick way to see if those are the problem is to put the freshly poured resin in the oven at 180* or so for 30 minutes. Then turn it and see if they still blended.

Note that the outside of the blank will often look more blended than the inside. So don't use that as a guide.
 
I've been struggling with this too. My suggestion is that you record the amount of time that it takes for the same color (exact same mixture of PR, MEKP, and coloring) to go from liquid, to thick liquid, to gel. With that knowledge recorded, you can wait until maybe 3-5 minutes before it gels, then slowly mix the colors, then put in the pressure pot. Most of mine take about 20-30 minutes to gel although some colors gel faster or slower for no apparent reason.

I don't have a clue how to do it with Alumilite -- it sets up so fast.
 
PR mixing

Yes Gary I think your right on Dawns blanks. I have bought them and just amazed at the colors and patterns. But for some basic 2 or 3 color blanks I am going to try letting them setup longer before they are poured together. Thanks for the info Rich H.
 
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RDH79 said:
Yes Gary I think your right on Dawns blanks. I have bought them and just amazed at the colors and patterns. But for some basic 2 or 3 color blanks I am going to try letting them setup longer before they are poured together. Thanks for the info Rich H.
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Word of warning: Let them set a little TOO long and you get bubbles.

If it ain't one problem, its another!!!
 
I am gonna be the devils advocate and say that i think it may be something not addressed so far on this thread,the Pigments...

I use Silmar, and the mica from coastalscents and haven't had any blending issues at all. I use around 10 drops MEK per that it says on the can. I can mix my colors, add MEK, stir for one to three minutes, and pour. then i put them in the pot and pressure it up on the same table as the pancake compressor that i use. the shaking, and the early pour seem to have little effect. In fact, it is a fun thing to play with for me...

if i mix, and pour immediately, the colors blend slightly on the edges and the seperations fade a bit... but if i wait a few more minutes before i pour, the seperation is very strong. I also am not that accurate with my measuring. i pour the PR into little silicone muffin pan thingies.. then add color with a popsicle stick. then i add the MEK to about how many drop i think it should have. I only go in measurements of 5 with the drops.. weird huh???

I would simply have to do a pour or two with less MEK and see the results, but for what it is worth, i think it might be the pigments..
 
A lot of variables go into PR.

- How much pigment you use
- How well you mix the pigment into the PR
- How much catalyst you use
- How well you mix the catalyst into the PR
- How much (if any) mixing are you doing with the two colors

Advice:
- Use the least amount of colorant possible
- Throughly mix it in before adding the catalyst
- Degass the mixture before adding the catalyst
- Use caution not to introduce bubbles when mixing in the catalyst
- Mix the colors in the mold by pouring, not stirring

Hope this helps.
 
I found it easier and cheaper to buy them from Ed and Dawn too but sometimes a person just has to do what a person has to do.
Excuse while I go check my pressure pot.
Dave
 
Although it is a cute comment. "I find it cheaper to Just buy them from Dawn". It is by no doubt true. problem is if you keep following this line of thinking you may eventually realize it is cheaper to just buy your pens from Bic!!!!
Seriously, I finally decided that what I do is make pens, and have become perfectly happy to leave this plastic making stuff to those that do that. They are gettin pretty darn good at it. Much better than I would ever intend to get. I did have to dable and found the same blending of colors problem. I look at a lot of what is being done now and just wonder how they do it. Some things are just best staying a mystery.
 
One night it sets for 20 minutes,
Next night it sets for 35 minutes,
same basic mixture
different weather

She looks at the popsicle stick and
guesses.

This is science!?!?!?!?
 
Casting is as much an art as it is a science. I'm loving doing worthless casting but PR boggles me so I leave it alone. I have a gallon of it around somewhere...bet you it's rock hard in the can now after 2 years of not being touched!!! Oh yeah, and if you want to blend colors of alumilite, you'd better like living on the edge!! It must be executed with Olympic level skill to be able to pull it off!!
 
GouletPens said:
Casting is as much an art as it is a science. I'm loving doing worthless casting but PR boggles me so I leave it alone. I have a gallon of it around somewhere...bet you it's rock hard in the can now after 2 years of not being touched!!! Oh yeah, and if you want to blend colors of alumilite, you'd better like living on the edge!! It must be executed with Olympic level skill to be able to pull it off!!
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Wow, Curtis' head will be so big, he won't fit through ANY doorway!!
 
Daniel said:
Although it is a cute comment. "I find it cheaper to Just buy them from Dawn". It is by no doubt true. problem is if you keep following this line of thinking you may eventually realize it is cheaper to just buy your pens from Bic!!!!
Click to expand...
I used to buy my blanks but now I make them. I enjoy the fact you don't know how it will turn out, some blanks that look like sh#t turn out good. It is all in the fun of makeing it, at the very least you have made more of the pen then when it is made of wood.
David
 
Thanks everyone for the tips. I guess its not as easy as I thought it would be. I think I will just keep trying small batches and see what I get. One thing I did read was about too much pigment. I had seen on here somewhere some formulas for mixing colored pigments but cant seem to find it now. The weather changes everyday around here so thats one problem too. It took me a year to get the CA down I guess I shouldn't expect this to happen right from the start. If I get some to work I will post some pics.. Thanks Again Rich H.
 
ed4copies said:
One night it sets for 20 minutes,
Next night it sets for 35 minutes,
same basic mixture
different weather

She looks at the popsicle stick and
guesses.

This is science!?!?!?!?
Click to expand...



I forgot about that part... my little silicone mixing cup will start to warm up a bit as well.
 
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