A free publication from Allan Heywood Enamels - all links will open in a separate browser window |
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G'day; Epoxies harden well at room temperature ( even in total darkness ) but a little heat will considerably speed things - say from an incandescent (filament) bulb a few inches away. I personally find an easily available and cheap material for colouring epoxy resin is TEMPERA POWDER. It is sold by most artist supply shops, is a pigment, not a transparent dye, mixes well and easily with properly proportioned epoxy and hardener, and doesn't interfere with the hardening properties. All the colours are mixable so one can get the exact colour and shade one needs. I use only red, blue and yellow, plus black or white to mix with the epoxy & get exactly what I want. A room temperature of 22 C will cure the resin nicely overnight and it can then can be filed and sanded. Use wet'n'dry papers with water to avoid clogging. Attempts to use a buff to polish epoxy are doomed - but you will get a good shine with 400 grit paper, followed by hand polishing with 'Brasso' metal polish on a soft cloth. If a good transparent, colourless lacquer is put over the epoxy an enamel-like finish is obtained. BUT: that will soon wear off and look cheap and nasty. The metal polish finish suits most people. Cheers for now, John Burgess Mapua, Nelson NZ |
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