Novice pourer... need help!

[Dale Seipp]

When I pour blanks I begin by measuring the volume I need for the pour. I then pour some of the total volume into individual stir cups for pigmentation of separate colors to be added after the primary volume has been pigmented, the catalyst added and the mold filled While I let the mold begin to set, I color the stir cups and get them ready to add when the mold begins to jell. Question: Do I also add catalyst to the stir cups, or do I just pour the accent colors directly into the mold and then swirl and or stir the accent colors in? It seems that when I do not add catalyst there is an absorbtion of the accent color into the primary color. HELP Please!!!!!

 

[dalemcginnis]

Dale:
You need to add catalyst to all the cups and you want them all jelling close to the same time. If not you'll either get the absorption you've seen or they will separate into layers. It is tricky to get the timing right, but that will come with practice.

 

[jason_r]

In fact, you might want to:
1) Measure total amount.
2) catalyze and stir
3) divide for colors
4) wait until almost gelled*
5) pour

#4 is the trick. wait 30 seconds too long and you won't pour.
Pour too soon and your colors run together.
Heat before pour is not your friend, heat after is.

The Resin color Library has data on approximate gelling times for many of the recipes. Good luck figuring out the pattern on gel times.