White & Lighter Acrylics

[renowb]

I hate it when I turn down a white or lighter acrylic and the ends look dark or black, probably from dust, etc getting in between the blank and tube. I've heard that sealing the ends before turning with CA will work. Will this prevent dark spots? Any comments, suggestions greatly appreciated.

 

[mick]

I use CA to glue tubes into "plastics" and after milling the ends I'll seal with thin CA This helps not only with sealing the ends to prevent the problem you're asking about but also wicks into any voids from uneven glue coverage.Hope this helps!

 

[Mark]

I've started doing that (CA treatment) with all my more brittle acrylics. Light and dark alike.

 

[Bree]

I hate it when I turn down a white or lighter acrylic and the ends look dark or black, probably from dust, etc getting in between the blank and tube. I've heard that sealing the ends before turning with CA will work. Will this prevent dark spots? Any comments, suggestions greatly appreciated.

Paint the tube and paint the inside of the blank. You might have to drill a hair wider because of the paint. Scuff lightly so you don't remove the paint. Epoxy them in to fill any gaps. Works like a charm.

Main thing is to never put the stock tube in a white acrylic blank!! Been there and done that... dumb... dumb... dumb! I have a gorgeous white blank with a brass tubes in the two halves. Wiped out the pen. Gonna try to salvage by getting the glue to release with heat.
:wink::wink::wink:

 

[renowb]

Ok, thanks guys. I appreciate the help!

 

[renowb]

So what's the best paint to use, spray or brush on??

 

[ed4copies]

Any paint will work, but for white blanks, use a white primer and it will fight CA better than most.

Also "Testors" little bottles, as used in painting plastic models, seems to resist CA quite well.

OR use epoxy to glue--epoxy can also be "tinted" with the color, CA cannot.

 

[Mark]

I vote Testors model paint too. The enamel seems to hold up against the CA and a slightly tight fit.

 

[EBorraga]

Finger nail polish works great too. And very easy to find.

 

[renowb]

Cool, A lot of information, thanks guys. I will try them.

 

[TomW]

Don't forget powder coat is a great tube color system too.

 

[socdad]

What do you use to plug the tube, that will hold up to heat, for heating the tube to powder paint?

 

[jttheclockman]

What do you use to plug the tube, that will hold up to heat, for heating the tube to powder paint?

Tin foil

 

[socdad]

I should have thought of that one :redface: ... Do you use a fluid bed to apply the powder paint?

 

[jttheclockman]

I should have thought of that one :redface: ... Do you use a fluid bed to apply the powder paint?

I do not know what a fluid bed is. I spray the powder on using a Harbor Freight gun. Very easy to do.

 

[socdad]

I made my own (for fishing jigs / blades) with PVC & an aquarium air pump; this is a commercial version. You just heat and dip …

http://www.jannsnetcraft.com/Search/bed.aspx

 

[jttheclockman]

I made my own (for fishing jigs / blades) with PVC & an aquarium air pump; this is a commercial version. You just heat and dip …

http://www.jannsnetcraft.com/Search/bed.aspx

Hey if it works for you then good job. To me it is very easy to spray and heat. Keep those pens rolling.

 

[DurocShark]

Interesting. I've only used fluidized beds for reef tanks (old fashioned wet/dry filters are better. Don't bother...).

Do you need to keep a charge on the item while dipping?