Well, that didn't work out

[qquake]

I've been working on my first (and probably last) Wonder Windows blank from Exotic Blanks. I figured out how to cut it, center it, turn it round, and drill it centered. I had a feeling it would be translucent, so I knew I'd need to at least paint the tube and color the epoxy. I didn't want to use red or blue, because I was afraid either would give the blank a purple cast. And I was afraid white would lighten it too much. So I chose silver. Bad decision. You can clearly see cloudy silver in the red "windows". I still have the other half of the blank, and I think I'll use black on it, even though it might darken the colors. I don't know what other color to try.

 

[BeeAMaker]

Gives it a Perl essence look, maybe not so much when you are holding it in your hand.?

 

[qquake]

It doesn't look pearlescent in person, it looks cloudy. It's definitely unattractive to me.

 

[1080Wayne]

Think I would be tempted to try painting alternating strips of black and white .

 

[OZturner]

Sorry to see the Problem, you have struck Jim.
Thanks for Sharing your Dilemma,
I think I might give this Blank a wide Berth.
There are more than enough other Blanks, I can spend my Limited Time on.
Regards,
Brian.

 

[qquake]

I don't think I would have chosen this blank myself, but my friend chose it. I didn't know at the time what problems I would have.

 

[qquake]

I'm just not happy with how the blank looks. The colors look pale and washed out.

 

[qquake]

I'm hoping the black will make the colors look darker on the second attempt.

 

[KenV]

Jim, one of the items I have to remind myself is that it is what the customer likes that counts first and foremost. I have made combinations that I could only shake my head at, but the ultimate user was over joyed with.

I don't have to like special orders -- just need to make them as best I can.

 

[Terredax]

I have to ask.
Is that bubbles in the resin?
In the first group of photos, I assumed it was water drops, since it appeared you were in the finishing stage.

After seeing the assembled photos, those spots remain and I was curious.

 

[qquake]

I have to ask.
Is that bubbles in the resin?
In the first group of photos, I assumed it was water drops, since it appeared you were in the finishing stage.

After seeing the assembled photos, those spots remain and I was curious.

I think that's the epoxy showing through.

 

[qquake]

So much better! What a difference the black paint made. Both the blue and red are darker and richer. It doesn't even look like the same blank.

 

[SteveG]

Black is ALMOST the universal answer for back-painting blanks...but we tend to seek something else from time to time, before returning to the right answer!!

 

[qquake]

I've actually run across this before with some opalescent blanks. I should have known. The first one is an Opal Swirl blank with silver paint. The second is an Angel Wings blank with black paint.

 

[BeeAMaker]

So much better! What a difference the black paint made. Both the blue and red are darker and richer. It doesn't even look like the same blank.

That looks awesome.

 

[stuckinohio]

I'm so glad it worked out. It is so strange to me that black would be the best color to back paint, even with light colors. I know it to be true, but it seems so crazy!

Lewis

 

[Smitty37]

I'm so glad it worked out. It is so strange to me that black would be the best color to back paint, even with light colors. I know it to be true, but it seems so crazy!

Lewis

Well not when you think about it. The color you see is reflected light...black reflects fewer light rays than any other color so the colors you see will be coming from the blank not the back paint.

 

[stuckinohio]

See, I didn't think about that! That makes sense.

 

[DJBPenmaker]

What a transformation, unbelievable.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

 

[qquake]

Well not when you think about it. The color you see is reflected light...black reflects fewer light rays than any other color so the colors you see will be coming from the blank not the back paint.

I've never heard it explained like that, but it makes sense.