Back painting Rotacrylics?
- Thread starter qquake
- Start date
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
sorcerertd
Member
How thick will the wall be on the finished product? Do you want to brighten the colors? While I have no experience with rotacrylics, I would consider silver or white.
Another thought... isn't it 4 am there? Go back to sleep.
Another thought... isn't it 4 am there? Go back to sleep.
qquake
Member
The pen is a Jr. Imperial, which uses the same bushings as the Majestic Jr. The hummingbird will be on the lower body. It's a 10.5mm drill bit, and the OD on the bushing is 0.516". So that leaves a wall thickness of 0.051".
And I start work at 5:30, so I'm always up at 3:30. I've always been an early riser. A lot of my best pens are made before 5.
And I start work at 5:30, so I'm always up at 3:30. I've always been an early riser. A lot of my best pens are made before 5.
jttheclockman
Member
Jim I looked at back threads on this subject and found no mention of a need to back paint because his detail work goes all the way through. I did find this video made by Ed that nicely explains how to turn these blanks and what to pay attention to. If you use these it would be a good idea to watch that. Here is Jeff explaining his new creation back then.
https://www.penturners.org/threads/making-improvements.129590/#post-1738235
Ed has a video on his site that explains how to turn those type blanks and the do's and dont's of them. Very helpful.
https://www.penturners.org/threads/making-improvements.129590/#post-1738235
Ed has a video on his site that explains how to turn those type blanks and the do's and dont's of them. Very helpful.
qquake
Member
I did watch Ed's video, it was helpful. And I don't really think back painting is necessary, but don't want to take any chances. I've been unpleasantly surprised in the past. I shined a flashlight through it and it does look at least somewhat translucent. I'll probably go with black paint. Usually I choose paint that's the predominant color of the blank. But I'm afraid red paint may make the hummingbird look brown. Todd suggested silver in his post above, which is also a possibility.
I did an experiment a while back with back painting. Two halves of the exact same blank, one painted white, and the other painted black. Huge difference.
Attachments
RGVPens
Member
Very good info and pictures on back painting! I haven't got into that... yet. I do have a few blanks that probably should be painted, so I'll get to try it soon. Great blank for your demo! Do most blanks have that dramatic effect, or does it need to have a lot of white in it?
I really like that blank! Where did you get it?
I really like that blank! Where did you get it?
jttheclockman
Member
Gary alot depends on the blank and colors used. Most transparent blanks need painting. Using different colors for the painting can drastically change the look. Here is an example of a pen I made. All the same blank the one on the left was back painted with white. The ones on the right, the lower section was painted with a reddish brown and the top one was painted with a metallic blue spray paint and that was the one I went with for the finished pen. The blank in its raw state is in front of can. Have included photo of finished pen also.
qquake
Member
It's called Moon Storm, from Bear Tooth Woods.
qquake
Member
I think I've decided to back paint it with black. If it turns out the material is opaque, it won't matter. But if it's translucent, I'm afraid white would make it look too pale.
qquake
Member
sorcerertd
Member
That's a beautiful pen, John. I would never have thought to go with such a contrasting color as blue, but the results speak for themselves.
RGVPens
Member
I meant where did you get the hummingbird blank. But looking at the Moon Storm one...I have to get a couple and try that!! Thanks! What is best to paint the inside of the blank...a Q-Tip?? Let dry overnight, or a couple of days? Looks like you colored the epoxy also...just acrylic paint from Walmart?
I need another project like a kick in the butt...but I think it's cool and have to try it!
RGVPens
Member
John, that's an awesome pen!!! What is it, Emperor?
I would NEVER have thought the white and blue painted came off the same original blank. Learning how to do this will add a whole different level to my pens!
I would NEVER have thought the white and blue painted came off the same original blank. Learning how to do this will add a whole different level to my pens!
qquake
Member
I got it from Exotic Blanks. I use enamel spray paint for the bores and tubes, and cheap acrylic paint from Walmart (good guess!) to color the epoxy.
Lime Hummer Rotacrylic Pen Blanks
Jeff has placed a cute little hummingbird, filled it will glowing lime resin, and set it to play amongst a field of swirling copper red, yellow, and blue resins. You won't miss this little guy!
www.exoticblanks.com
qquake
Member
RGVPens
Member
Wow, that is a pricy blank...but really cool! Can't wait to see the finished pen.I got it from Exotic Blanks. I use enamel spray paint for the bores and tubes, and cheap acrylic paint from Walmart (good guess!) to color the epoxy.
Lime Hummer Rotacrylic Pen Blanks
Jeff has placed a cute little hummingbird, filled it will glowing lime resin, and set it to play amongst a field of swirling copper red, yellow, and blue resins. You won't miss this little guy!
I use the same Apple Barrel acrylic Walmart paint for a few of my scroll saw works. I like it so far.
jttheclockman
Member
Thank you. Yes there were drastic color shifts with each color for sure. I thought the white just washed the blank out. The brown/red made it look muddy and the blue just popped it.
Thank you. The pen is a full sized Majestic rollerball. The letter opener is the matching set to the pen. I took the clear crystal out of the clip and replaced with one made from the same material as the blank. I do that on occasion.
Gary I love the scroll work. Well done. That would make a nice ornament.
qquake
Member
I just posted the finished pen.
Jr. Imperial Rotacrylic
This is a Jr. Imperial rollerball pen, in chrome and gold, from Exotic Blanks. It's my first, and is one of the prettiest pens I've ever made. I love all the details, especially the gold stripes on the clip. The blank is a Rotacrylic, called Lime Hummer, also from EB. I made this in honor of my...
www.penturners.org
RGVPens
Member
Very beautiful pen!! Love the different colors.
qquake
Member
I'm very happy with how it turned out.