First attempt at marbilizing .Put down some NCP thread and CP it. Ready for the next step .Going to lay down some Flex Coat wait 15 min. then add the color pigments. I'm using a toothpick to apply the pigment. Do I just run the toothpick across the surface of the flex coat?What happens if I get some bubbles in the mix ,anyway to get rid of them with out ruining the mix?.After the pigments are added can you level the FC or no need to.Did the search didn't find these answers.

Bill,
Why did you put down thread under it?? Most do it directly on blank. Did your base coat of Flexcoat have pigment in it? You have to add the pigments to the finish before it is applied to the rod? The way that I do it is to mix up my finish (High build works best) Pour 2 or 3 small amounts onto foil and leave enough in the mixing cup for the base coat. Add pigment color with toothpick to the base coat as well as other colors to each "puddle" and stir. Apply base coat just like you would any finish and let it turn for a few minutes ( I go about 10) and level out. Then with toothpick, I add contrasting colors in by dipping in the color and pulling/swirling into the base coat until yyou get the look you want. The longer you wait, the thicker it will be giving you more didtinct marbling. If it is to runny, it will all run together. Let the base coat level and start to set up BEFORE you add your other colors. Once it's all done, dont do anything with it. I have never seen bubbles appear in finish with pigment in it.

There is an article in the library at the top of the page. If you need any help, holler!

Mike

Mike, did read the article but perhaps i'm confused. I had read where guys were adding white NCP thread first then I thought they were adding a clear Flex Coat and swirling with a toothpick and adding pigment. When you do your base coat you add the pigments so your applying a solid color to the rod to begin with? Then to that solid color you add the pigments with the toothpick? Sorry for the confusion bill

Bill,

There is no right or wrong way but I never have done it that way. [www.rodbuilding.org] You have to add pigment and mix well before you apply to the blank. Before you do anything with the blank you need separate Puddles" of colored finish on a piece of foil.
The nice thing about marbling is you can "play" and do it however you want, except that you need the pigment IN the finish before you apply it to the blank

Mike



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/25/2005 10:26AM by Mike Barkley.

Read it in the search. Thanks Mike

Once I tried adding pigment directly to the finish that I had put on a scrap blank. You can't really "stir" it around when you do that, plus you have virtually no control over where the color goes. When you do as Mike recommends, you can control it. What I do now is pour out my little puddles of finish, mix the pigment into each one and then apply the base coat. Then I wait about 10-15 minutes to let everything start to set up a bit. I find this gives me better control over where the colors are going. I've tried using some of the thinnner finishes and they don't work well, at least not for me. Also remember that if you're using Testor's model enamel, you need to pour off as much of the thinner as possible. You only want the pigment, not the thinner.

So is the general rule with this is that it does not work with lite finishes? I have played around with using FC lite finishes and the pigments and had decent luck, just wondering if I am going in the wrong direction? I can tell you I usually wait at least 20 minutes to start the marbelizing.

My experience with thinner finishes hasn't been good, but maybe it's just me. I know that neither Mike or Putter use "lite" finishes for their marbeling.

Jason,
If it works, go with it! I think that the High build is better (for me) just because it is a much higher viscosity and doesn't seem to run together as much for me. Either one will work.

Mike

Mike- I usually just wait until the peices in the foil are a syrupy consistency and then I go at it. The depth is not always really deep and I have done it early and it just blended in a looked like crap. I will experiment more and also order some high build and see which it is I prefer. This is probably one of the most fun things I have tried in rodbuilding, it is like a big kid finger painting.

It's a lot of fun (and addictive) Especially for those of us with old tired eyes that can't see thread to well!! What's nice is there is no right or wrong way and your imagination is your only limitation. Just remember that "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" or "one man's Seagull puke is another's Picasso"

Have Fun with it!!!!!

Mike

My favorites are high building, fast setting epoxies.

Putter
Williston, ND