Has anyone tried to color epoxy?

What do you use for a color medium - dry pigment, oil based paint, water based paint, other paints, or something else?

Does any brand of epoxy take to coloring better than any others?

What is the best way to mix the epoxy and color medium?

What ratios do you use?

Does adding a color reduce the effectiveness of the epoxy?

Thanks for the info.

Finely ground chalk works well. Put a stick in a ziplock bag and pound with a hammer. Add a little at a time to the epoxy until you get the color depth you desire.

The advantage of dry chalk over paint pigments is that you do not introduce solvents into the epoxy.

........

Never used chalk before, but sounds interesting. However, I have used the marbling pigments you get from Mudhole, the pigment from Testor’s enamel paint and powered paint pigments you can get from most hobby shops and art supply stores. All work very well, just remember a little goes a long way. I’ve do like the powered pigments.
Norm

Ed,
Very interesting subject (of which I have limited knowledge). If dry “caulk/powerders are available, I would think that is the way to go as to limiting incompatible components/chemicals being introduced and adversely affecting the properties of the base epoxy. That being said, I have been told to use an oil-based tinting agent rather than a water-based pigment when applied to epoxy. Sorry I cannot be of more help, but I am not Ralph O’quinn. Considering the options, dry may be safer than liquid.

Mark Talmo
FISHING IS NOT AN ESCAPE FROM LIFE BUT RATHER A DEEPER IMMERSION INTO IT!!! BUILDING YOUR OWN SIMPLY ENHANCES THE EXPERIENCE.

I don’t do marbling, but many have marbled rods using oil based pigments such as marbling pigments and the settled pigments from enamel paint mixed with finish epoxy. The epoxy will harden with no problems just slows the cure rate somewhat. I have also used these oil based pigments as well as the powdered pigments to even tint Permagloss, with no problems with curing. I would never paint a blank with tinted epoxy, just too heavy.
Norm

you can put a little sparkle in the epoxy to change the appearance, most craft stores have little packs or jars of sparkle you can add to your mix , A few different colors .

William Sidney
AK

Have you tried using powder paint that is used to color lead head jigs.

Do some experimenting with the powder and appropriate quantities of the powder to get the shade that you wish. But, I expect that it would do an excellent job of coloring the epoxy.

You could use some of the sparkle colors as well to give that finish to the epoxy if you would wish.

[www.luremaking.com]

You can use the powder marbling pigments, they work very well and you have the advantage of having many different colors.

Abraço

Thanks to all for the info. Never thought of chalk, jig head powder, or the powder marbling pigments. Have tried dry pigments and had good results. Not so good with paint mediums. Never thought of the solvents in the paint mediums and can see how that would be a problem.

Here is a nice selection of coloring items to use in resin or epoxy:

[www.google.com]

Notice that there seems to be an excellent selection of "mica powder" selections to color the epoxy.

Take care

Michael's has a great little set of pigments that won't break the bank and it comes with 12 different pigment colors if you want to try out different things.

[www.michaels.com]

Tony Boschi
Banana River Rods
Merritt Island, Florida
321~525~1063

* Rapid Prototyping Services
* Custom Beach Rods
* Custom Inshore Rods

[bananariverrods.com]

I have used Tester model paint. Let it sit and settle out for a few days, then pour out the as much of the thinner as you can leaving mostly pigment. Like Norman said; a little goes a long way. I have also done the sparkles but is tough keeping it consistent or even unless it is very fine. Testers have some metallic paints that already have the fine sparkles in them.

TAP Plastics and Alumilite both sell a liquid dye or tint specifically for coloring epoxy resins. I have used Alumilite and it works very well.

I like using the tester model paint as well. It combines well with the epoxy and gives a nice bright color. I have also used the CRB marbling pigments with the same results as testers. If you don't want the nasty smell, go with the marbling pigments.

Pearl Ex powder pigment. A very very little goes a long way. Some will leave a metallic look also. Check amazon

The reason powder pigments are the best and more reliable than liquids is that it does not enter or interfere with the chemical reaction that occurs when epoxy cures. Epoxy does not "dry." When it cures it is a chemical reaction between the two components. I know most already know this, but probably not all.