So I have been trying to work on marbling for the first time and am having some issues. I purchased some .5" dia pvc pipe and painted it black with some valspar spray paint for plastic. I then cit it up in sections so I could experiment a little.

My first step is to apply the clear epoxy finish to the blank. Then I apply blobs of the colored epoxy. Next I take the pick and start to drag the mixture through the epoxy... The issue is where I drag the pic the epoxy never wants to flow back together.

Anyone ever had this issue??? My first thought is that the epoxy doesnt agree with the paint but I hear of all sorts of people using spray paint to paint blanks.

You might try to use CP. I used Valspar for plastic once and had issues with it. I'm glad you mentioned this because I had used around 4 coats of finish over Valspar and had major areas where I just couldn't get it to stay. I like to use enamel paints such as Testors and some of the Duplicolors. It comes out much thinner and better color choice.

The funny thing is that the finish doesnt fisheye or anything prior to dragging the pick through it. I would have thought that if there was something in the paint causing the finish to repel that it would happen right off the bat... very weird but at least I know im not the only one

I have tried marbling over paint. I didn't have any difficulties. I painted a section of blank with Testors' Model Master metallic paint (brushed). After it dried, I then applied a thin coat of finish to which I added drops of finish colored with Pearl Ex pigments. I did not try manipulating the colored sections with a toothpick (or, anything else), but simply let the motion of the blank being turned by the drying motor disperse the color thoughout the finish. I was very satisfied with the results.
Slainte,
Hunter

From ghoulies and ghosties,
and long leggedy beasties,
and things that go bump in the night,
Good Lord deliver us!

Hit it with a heat gun. If it set up too long, the heat gun can blend it, but be careful and don't overdo it. When I let it set up a long time, I get the pick marks, but I hit it with a heat gun lightly or use a straw and blow on the area.

*Also, the main reason for the hour long wait is that my basement is low 70's or high 60's usually. It it was warmer, go with a shorter time.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/26/2012 10:37PM by Jeremy Reed.

Yeah I have been using a torch to thin things out. It fixes the issue but I have to thin it so much that the colors run together.

Now on a side note I was able to create some crazy effects by doing this but it was not intended. From the videos I have watched people are not having issues with pick lines so im thinking that the epoxy doesnt agree with the paint for whatever reason

Question: The first coat of finish on which you apply the color drops. Do you add the color while this finish is still wet or do you need to let it dry before adding the color?

Corky
Corky's Custom Rods
Savannah, Georgia

corky fleming Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Question: The first coat of finish on which you
> apply the color drops. Do you add the color while
> this finish is still wet or do you need to let it
> dry before adding the color?


No I do not let anything dry... I apply clear finish then immediatly after add the colors.