Coloring Epoxy

I wanted to coat the inside of the cowl on the Magnum I have had in works.

It is a monokoted finish and IO want to seal the inside and the edges of the covering so I mixed up some epoxy and thought it would be nice if it was colored the same as the covering so what I did was add some india ink(water based)to it and mixed it some more and it seems to have worked out nicely.

only regret is that I didn't add more color so it looks transparent, none the less I think it still looks nice(just my opinion)

I will post pictures in a few

Walt,
I had thought the same thing once only my dealings were with polyester resin and glass cloth (the old fiberglass stuff). "What could I do to help the color question?". The answer was in the small tubes of gelcoat colors. You can tint the resin to match whatever, or come close perhaps. I've put the poly resin away in favor of West System materials,..but the same may be available for it perhaps. Cap'N Curt,...you da West System Geek,..I'm I close or no cigar?

I think you're on the right track--but be very careful of whatever you mix with epoxy. When epoxy "cures" it creates molecular bonds between the resin and hardener. It is a fundamentally different process than catalyzed reactions in polyester products (where the catalyst creates heat which cures the material) Epoxy is a numerically exact match-up of molecules--this is why you cant add more hardener and get it to go off faster. more or less hardener just reduces the mechanical properties of the mix. It leaves un-bonded portions within the cured matrix. ANYTHING else added in as a solid can potentially disrupt this match as well. I believe Gougeon Bros. (WEST) offers coloring pigment compatible with epoxies.

Patrick's reference is more than likely the same material.

That said, since we originally were talking only of sealing applications, not structure, alot of materials will work.

Tony lives in an area where lots of big race boats operate. Many of them, ones that travel on the roads to racing events with there keels removed, use "double mix" epoxy as a bonding material for the hull to keel joint. epoxy mixed with double the regular amount of hardener makes a permanently soft adhesive mix that is reasonably waterproof and also removeable. Unlike urethane or silicone based "tub caulk" type materials. THis is the match-up of mix parts intentionally gone bad--with leftover, un-linked material left in the mix.

FWIW

There is an acrylic dye that is intended for casting resins that is great for this- works for polyester or epoxy- works in dope too!

Hi Walter,

I've used Ankor Seal epoxy coloring dispersions with success. Colors it comes in are red, white, blue, black & yellow. Here is their web site if interested:

http://www.anchorseal.com/products/abondprod.asp

Page down till you get to thier dispersions.

I've used Testor's Plastic Enamel to color epoxy, it make s very opaque color.

I used RIT dye to tint clear epoxy (not sure what kind, maybe Hobby Poxy, maybe boat stuff. Same method as dope; tint the thinner, strain the crystals, add thinner to clear. It went over red tissue on my #2 B proto speedster, looked great! Unfortunately, and the reason for going through this story, is that the red leeched out of the epoxy (who woulda thunk?) and made one heck of a mess. Always clearcoat over dyed anything. Steve