seeing tube through acrylic looks ugly

[mdwilliams999]

Just did my first acrylic pen last night and it is semi transparent. I didn't realize this when I bought them or when I received them as the colors were very dark. When done turning, I could see the glued in tube and really took away from it's beauty. Personally, I wouldn't even consider selling it. Though my wife and daughter loved it even after I shared my concerns.

What do the rest of you do? I called the company I bought them from and they suggested spray painting them before I do the glue in. Is this the best option, and if so, do you just pick a color and use any can of spray paint. Any best practices out there.

Mike

 

[Padre]

Paint the tube and the inside of the blank. Let them thoroughly dry, then glue in the tube.

 

[alphageek]

Here is a recent thread with lots of thoughts on the topic:

http://www.penturners.org/forum/showthread.php?t=79938

Yes, painting is a very good idea for many acrylics. Not all need it, but even those that don't "need" it can turn out better with it.

Also color can greatly change the output.. Check out this thread where I learned this lesson: http://www.penturners.org/forum/showthread.php?t=78815 .... 1 blank, 2 paints - way different effect.

 

[Padre]

Also, see this post for some helpful information.

http://www.penturners.org/forum/showthread.php?t=69751&highlight=blank+Acrylic+Acetate

 

[MrWright]

I bought a set of Ancient Amber blanks. Look like real Amber, but again you see thru' to the tube (if you don't paint it) so I bought some acralic gold medalic at Michaels, took a Q-tip and painted inside the blank after drilling. Let it dry good, glued the tube inside the blank and turned to size. The blank is really Lucite and turns out really nice. It is best to paint inside the blank near the color of the material so it will look like the blank itself. At least that is my opinion. Frank

 

[thewishman]

Some of my acrylics are enhances by the tube showing through. Some of the marble celluloids from CSUSA really look good with a brass background.

They look good when the whole blank is translucent, rather than just the thin ends. Brass showing at the ends only, is not a good look.

 

[workinforwood]

I recommend painted tubes for all my blanks. You might sometimes not need paint, but even when you can't see through the blank, paint will deepen the colors in the blank. Mostly I look at it this way...if you paint the tube and don't need to...no harm done, but if you don't paint the tube and needed to, then the blank is terminal.

 

[Dan_F]

If you paint the tube only, you may still see bubbles in the glue between the blank and the tube. Paint the inside of the blank and you won't.

Dan

 

[airborne_r6]

If you paint the tube only, you may still see bubbles in the glue between the blank and the tube. Paint the inside of the blank and you won't.

Dan

You get the same problem if you use the colored tubes. I always paint the inside of the blank.

 

[tjseagrove]

You get the same problem if you use the colored tubes. I always paint the inside of the blank.

In casting, does that issue disappear if the tube is painted?

Tom

 

[ed4copies]

You get the same problem if you use the colored tubes. I always paint the inside of the blank.

In casting, does that issue disappear if the tube is painted?

Tom

Only if you successfully cast the painted tube, without bubbles in your final cast. This is not as easy as it sounds, in some cases.