Method for colouring and texturing epoxy resin - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

unitelex · 10th Jun 2021, 8:56 pm

I found by experiment that I could tint normally clear epoxy resin very easily using laser toner powder (laser printer).

I needed to achieve a dark anthracite colour to fill in a chipped surface.
I am aware that black epoxy is available but did not have any nor did I want to purchase a tube especially for this very small job.

I used black toner powder, added while mixing the clear adhesive and hardener together. While setting I noticed that the result was going to end up too glossy compared to the base material so while it was still tacky I dusted the surface with more toner giving a matt look. The results were surprisingly good.

I have not tried with magenta, blue or yellow toner or any blending of these.

Best Regards
Chris

emeritus · 11th Jun 2021, 11:08 am

When I was a student, in the lab at STC where I did work experience, every bench had a small tool box which included a pack of Araldite and a small jar of Titanium Oxide powder that they used to mix with the Araldite where a white finish was required. I have coloured Araldite brown to fix some earthenware plant pots by grinding a piece of broken pot in my wife's kitchen pestle and mortar to a very fine powder.

greenstar · 14th Jun 2021, 4:34 pm

I wonder how to achieve a brown bakelite colour and whether filing/grinding bakelite to mix with it would achieve that? I guess this has been done effectively.

chriswood1900 · 19th Jun 2021, 12:07 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenstar

I wonder how to achieve a brown bakelite colour and whether filing/grinding bakelite to mix with it would achieve that? I guess this has been done effectively.

I think you might need to be careful where you get the old Bakelite from, as some used asbestos fibres as the filler and if ground up they may present a health hazard.

vintage_8bit · 28th Aug 2021, 8:59 pm

Today I was repairing a garden water feature clay pot. I used Araldite rapid. I coloured it with a couple of drops of Bolgers spirit based wood dye. It mixed easily and the mixture cured as normal. I was quite pleased with the result, more for thoughts on future use. Colin

Bazz4CQJ · 28th Aug 2021, 9:47 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by vintage_8bit

Today I was repairing a garden water feature clay pot. I used Araldite rapid. I coloured it with a couple of drops of Bolgers spirit based wood dye. It mixed easily and the mixture cured as normal. I was quite pleased with the result, more for thoughts on future use. Colin

It might be the case that a solvent colourant additive could have a more uncertain effect on the adhesive strength than a finely powdered solid. I bet that somewhere in the Arts and Craft world there is just the right stuff.

B

Refugee · 29th Aug 2021, 1:01 am

Where I live you can dig up clay that is a good match for plant pot repairs once dries and mixed with epoxy.

Ernest1 · 26th Sep 2021, 6:04 pm

I found cheap watercolour paints crushed up work well and the range of colours are easier to get close.

kellys_eye · 26th Sep 2021, 8:48 pm

I've seen methods of colouring PVC using wax dyes which would seem to suggest they would mix well with epoxy. Since these dyes are all available in a full pantone range (many suppliers will make a mix to your requirement) the options seem endless.

Getting hold of a CMYKW selection (cyan, magenta, yellow, black and white) should allow anyone to mix 'any colour' on spec.

You can also get 'glitter' in gold/silver - almost powder-like - to make a metallic finish.

10th Jun 2021, 8:56 pm	#1
unitelex Hexode Join Date: May 2005 Location: Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 453	Method for colouring and texturing epoxy resin I found by experiment that I could tint normally clear epoxy resin very easily using laser toner powder (laser printer). I needed to achieve a dark anthracite colour to fill in a chipped surface. I am aware that black epoxy is available but did not have any nor did I want to purchase a tube especially for this very small job. I used black toner powder, added while mixing the clear adhesive and hardener together. While setting I noticed that the result was going to end up too glossy compared to the base material so while it was still tacky I dusted the surface with more toner giving a matt look. The results were surprisingly good. I have not tried with magenta, blue or yellow toner or any blending of these. Best Regards Chris

11th Jun 2021, 11:08 am	#2
emeritus Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Brentwood, Essex, UK. Posts: 4,723	Re: Method for colouring and texturing epoxy resin When I was a student, in the lab at STC where I did work experience, every bench had a small tool box which included a pack of Araldite and a small jar of Titanium Oxide powder that they used to mix with the Araldite where a white finish was required. I have coloured Araldite brown to fix some earthenware plant pots by grinding a piece of broken pot in my wife's kitchen pestle and mortar to a very fine powder.

14th Jun 2021, 4:34 pm	#3
greenstar Octode Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Leicester, Leics. UK. Posts: 1,510	Re: Method for colouring and texturing epoxy resin I wonder how to achieve a brown bakelite colour and whether filing/grinding bakelite to mix with it would achieve that? I guess this has been done effectively.

28th Aug 2021, 8:59 pm	#5
vintage_8bit Hexode Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Rainham, Kent, UK. Posts: 415	Re: Method for colouring and texturing epoxy resin Today I was repairing a garden water feature clay pot. I used Araldite rapid. I coloured it with a couple of drops of Bolgers spirit based wood dye. It mixed easily and the mixture cured as normal. I was quite pleased with the result, more for thoughts on future use. Colin

29th Aug 2021, 1:01 am	#7
Refugee Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Worksop, Nottinghamshire, UK. Posts: 5,411	Re: Method for colouring and texturing epoxy resin Where I live you can dig up clay that is a good match for plant pot repairs once dries and mixed with epoxy.

26th Sep 2021, 6:04 pm	#8
Ernest1 Triode Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: North Devon, UK. Posts: 17	Re: Method for colouring and texturing epoxy resin I found cheap watercolour paints crushed up work well and the range of colours are easier to get close.

26th Sep 2021, 8:48 pm	#9
kellys_eye Heptode Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Oban, Scotland, UK. Posts: 973	Re: Method for colouring and texturing epoxy resin I've seen methods of colouring PVC using wax dyes which would seem to suggest they would mix well with epoxy. Since these dyes are all available in a full pantone range (many suppliers will make a mix to your requirement) the options seem endless. Getting hold of a CMYKW selection (cyan, magenta, yellow, black and white) should allow anyone to mix 'any colour' on spec. You can also get 'glitter' in gold/silver - almost powder-like - to make a metallic finish.