Colored Pen Tubes

[kooster]

Can anyone suggest a source for purchasing colored pen tubes in a variety of sizes and colors?

 

[Joe S.]

Your local paint store.:biggrin:
I don't know of anywhere that caries anything but black, white, or silver tubes.

 

[pianomanpj]

By and large, you're better off painting the inside of the drilled blank than strictly painting the tube alone. Bubbles or other imperfections can still show through the blank otherwise. I paint my blanks and use a selection of colored Sharpies to tint my tubes. Works like a charm! YMMV

 

[Jim Smith]

I paint both the tube and the inside of the drilled blank. With spray paint, it takes me less than a minute to do the tubes and the blanks for a pen. Let it dry a minimum of 24 hours and you're ready to glue.

Jim Smith

 

[kooster]

Thanks for all the advice. I tried painting the tube (Krylon spray) and the inside of the tube (Testors) however, after gluing the tube with epoxy and letting things cure for 24 hrs., the tube was pushed out while I was attempting to square the blank. The tube did not adhere to the blank and the paint was totally removed from the tube when I removed it. Apparently there was a negative reaction with the paint and the epoxy. Perhaps I should paint one or the other and use Gorilla Glue. I like the idea of the Sharpies but was wondering if they affect the epoxy also.

 

[PTsideshow]

Sharpies are acetone plus another solvent based. The paints have to out gas for at least 24 hours before adhesive is used. as the surfaces are dry but the paint can be wet under it for up to 48 hours. Same with the adhesives they need to set up.
:clown:

 

[pianomanpj]

Thanks for all the advice. I tried painting the tube (Krylon spray) and the inside of the tube (Testors) however, after gluing the tube with epoxy and letting things cure for 24 hrs., the tube was pushed out while I was attempting to square the blank. The tube did not adhere to the blank and the paint was totally removed from the tube when I removed it. Apparently there was a negative reaction with the paint and the epoxy. Perhaps I should paint one or the other and use Gorilla Glue. I like the idea of the Sharpies but was wondering if they affect the epoxy also.

I've never had a failure, and I only use epoxy. I scuff the tubes with a course grit sandpaper before coloring with the Sharpie. I used to use Testor's enamels for coloring the inside of the tube, but now I use water-based fabric (crafting) paint you can buy an any art supply store or Wal-Mart. I've never had a reaction between the epoxy and the paint.