Coloring Epoxy- Is this OK?

[Geoffrey Raiser]

Hello!

I recently did some gluing on an old walking stick using Devcon 2T epoxy, and I mixed in quite a lot of black Kiwi shoe polish to color the epoxy to match. I am very happy with the results I got in this application, but I am wondering how much the shoe polish affects the strength of the epoxy. I did notice that it took much longer for the epoxy to cure (which was a good thing in this case), and that it stayed "rubbery" for several days. It is rock hard now after a couple of months.

Did I just get lucky or is this an acceptable concoction for more serious usage, like reattaching khukuri handles?

Thanks!

Geoffrey

 

[neosporin]

I would personally use something else, Ritt dye maybe. Search under mosaic pins and you'll find alot of options.

 

[Howard Wallace]

I've used powdered charcoal with success.

 

[Aardvark]

I've mixed it with colored grout (non-sanded) with pretty good success.

I would worry about the shoe polish, with all that wax in it. But I'm no chemist.

 

[TLM]

Shoepolishes usually do have a waxy component in them that is not good for adhesive strength. I usually use pigments from paintshop, one that is made for epoxy paints. They are usually concentrates and fairly small amounts are needed. Charcoal works but it is kind of hard to get any other color than black .

For a really heavy duty item I would also consider two component urethanes (not foams) and some harder one component ones.

TLM

 

[Burchtree]

Testor's model paint works pretty well.

 

[deputy tom]

Testor's model paint works pretty well.

Testors is what I use too.I tried latex paint last week and it turned into a rubbery goop instantly.tom.

 

[Geoffrey Raiser]

Thanks everyone for the tips. I'll try the Testor's; it's easy to find.

Cheers!

Geoffrey