Marbling Question

Green Giant · 12-12-2009, 12:13 PM

I am trying marbling for the first time(s). Want to use it as trim near the handle. Experimenting on a scrap piece of blank. Colors look great. I have tried both Testors enamel and Tap pigments.

The problem I am having is getting the marble'd finish to level out. At first I thought it might be due to the solvents in the enamel (I did pour most of them off). But the Tap pigments are not leveling out for me either.

I am applying, what I believe to be, a thin base coat (just covering the blank). Lamar Threadmaster high build is the finish being used. Is there a better finish for marbling (I have some Am Tak epoxy)? I have tried both marbling immediately after base coat applied, and waiting 10-15mins for it to set. Blank diameter is about 0.5" (both the scrap experiment and the rod being built) if that might matter. Room temp ~70.

It does not look bad, but is definately not glass smooth.

Any suggestions/thoughts are greatly appreciated

Gary

StickFish · 12-12-2009, 12:21 PM

Are you mixing your pigments with your finish? You want all the solvent out of the testers.

Putter who does a lot of marbling uses a different finish, but since you can't buy it in less than a gallon, threadmaster is about as good as you'll get. He has a DVD on marbling available at Anglers

Green Giant · 12-12-2009, 12:54 PM

Yes, I pre-mix the pigments with the finish. Just enough pigment so the mix looks "creamy".
The testors red did not settle well. Let it sit for 2 weeks and still seemed quite "blended".

Thanks