Tinting Silmar 41 suggestions?

[jbswearingen]

I'm currently dyeing my Silmar 41 blanks with Pearl-Ex pigments. I'm now interested in doing some opaque tinting, such as straight color black, white, etc. No shimmer wanted. US Composites sells some, but they're really pricey. Are there any similar options out there that are less pricey or should I just stick with their dyes?

Colored Pigments

 

[healeydays]

I use artist oil paints and have had no issues and it gives me any color I'm looking to make.

 

[Ed McDonnell]

You only need a small amount (couple drops per oz) of the US Composite colored pigments. One ounce of pigment will make a lot of blanks. On a per blank basis, I have not found them to be expensive at all.

Ed

 

[jbswearingen]

Ed--

Is it a thick, viscous dye or is it thin, like the hardener? How messy is it, how difficult is it to measure...how much gets lost by waste from runs?

 

[Ed McDonnell]

Ed--

Is it a thick, viscous dye or is it thin, like the hardener? How messy is it, how difficult is it to measure...how much gets lost by waste from runs?

Hi Brad - It's thick. It's super messy if you aren't careful. Originally I would dip a popsicle stick into the pigment to pick up enough to color a batch of resin and use that stick to stir my resin. I would dip a toothpick into the pigment to pick up a small amount for adjusting a standard color to a custom color. With experience you learn how deep you have to dip (not very deep usually).

I eventually got tired of dipping and wanted a little more control being able to repeat custom colors. I bought a box of 1-oz plastic dropper bottles with precise tips on Ebay. I think I paid $15 (incl shipping) for 50 bottles. It was tough getting the thick pigments into the dropper bottles, but I can now add really small drops and get good control of color. If you try this, buy some cheap 5ML syringes to transfer the pigments to the dropper bottles. Trying to pour is a nightmare. And forget about trying to use a funnel (damhikt!!!).

There is very little waste, if you are careful (*1). If you use the dip sticks, there is no waste at all. If you use the dropper bottles, you lose maybe a half a drop every now and then that you have to wipe off the spout.

Ed

(*1) Don't shake the US Composites bottles of pigments to mix them before using. You'll end up with a bunch stuck to the lid that is just waiting to jump on you when you open the lid. If you are using dropper bottles, you can shake them and then drop away. If you are using the US Composite bottles and dipsticks, use the stick to stir and mix before using instead of shaking.

 

[jbswearingen]

Thanks for your experience with it!

 

[BSea]

I will add a few things to what parklandturner said. Don't buy the black dye. Use black mica powder instead. I had to use more black to get an acceptable solid black. It's much easier with black mica. Be sure NOT to use black pearl mica. It's not the same a black mica.

Also, for mixing colors, get the transparent dyes. I tried to mix a lavender color, and I could not do it using just solid colored dyes with white. I had to use the transparent dyes with white to get the color I wanted. And his advice to just use a toothpick to add colors is spot on. A little goes a long way when you're mixing colors.