Has anyone used testors model paint to paint a rod? I tried it on an extra blank that had a bunch of scratches and so far it looks pretty good.

Shane

I have mixed it with epoxy and colored blanks. But as for painting them no I haven't. The general consensus is to let the bottle set and seperate, then pour off the top layer and just use the pigment. But I have used it strait in epoxy with no problem, YET! But others more savvy than I will chime in here. Putter is the resedent authority on marbeling. Ken Preston the blank coloring GURU.



Bill in WV

I've had excellent results with klass Kote.

Gar

Bill you are talking about something different than Shane is.

Shane Testors paints can be airbrushed very easly. I'm not sure how it would hold up to the elements without a sealer overcoat. Here is a link that might help [www.testors.com] They make the paint, they should have the answers. Hope this helps a little. If you follow up on this let us know how you make out.

Hank
On The Rocks Fishing
Wells, ME.

Hank,

Bill and I are talking about the same thing. You pour the bonding agent off the top of the bottle and then add the remaining pigment in with your epoxy.. Sounds kind of messy to me....I should be done with this rod in a couple weeks and make sure I give it a good fishing workout and let you know how the paint turned out.. So far it feels very durable, but doesn't look the best brushed on...I think airbrushing would give you a much more uniform look.

I will let you guys know how it turns out.

Shane

Shane - I did one rod with Testors. I tried to apply while it was turning and using my finger. It came out OK, but I was disappointed that it was too thick. I scraped it off and tried again. Still too thick for me in looks and it just looked like it would chip. I realize that this issue is probably more operator error than the paint, but I just had a hard time getting the feel for how much to apply per section, ie, when to add more when it felt like it was dragging. My thinking is it has something to do with being enamel. But, that's just a theory of mine or perhaps rationalization.

I switched to PlastiKote or Duplicolor for re-coloring. I have a lot better luck getting the dusting coats to be thin. I think it's because they are acrlyic laqeurs (butcherd spelling). I've also improved my results a using the wet sanding with 2000 and warm water with Dawn detergent added (a tip here on the board, and for the second time have forgotten the builder to give him credit :( ) For an over coat, I stopped by a local auto paint shop, talked to the owner and he was kind enough to sell me a clear two-part urethane in a small quantity.

Shane,
Are you planning to coat the entire rod with epoxy, like Flex Coat or LS Supreme, to which you've added pigment or are you just planning to use the Testor's paint straight? These are two separate issues. Products like FC and LS are not made for coating rods, only for coating thread. A lot of us add pigments and marble relatively short sections of blanks, but not the entire rod. If you want to coat the entire rod, you need to use a product like Permagloss or Klass Kote or one of the automotive products people have been experimenting with.

I think you can also pigment Permagloss also...is that right?

Jay

Yes guys I coated the whole rod with Testors Model Paint....I am just trying it out as it is a very inexpensive blank so I am not really worried about ruining it. I went to the local wal mart to day and they have a very good selection of Plasticote paints so I may try that on my next rod. Has anyone tried the automotive cameleon paint? They had one that went form green to red depending on how you look at it in the light. Looked pretty awesome. :) Looks what you guys go me into! :)

Shane

i've used the red-to-green kameleon and it works very well...just keep it light..
it an awesome background for a swirl of red-orange pigment/fire in the overcoat

I've used purple to green, awesome!!!!! You have to let it sit for @ 3-4 days to make sure it is totally set up, or the thread will dig in to the finish.

Bill in WV