Araldite Pigment Additive Query

Not exactly model engineering but definitely a workshop related query:

We have a black composite sink in our kitchen, which now has a small (say 5mm dia.) chip in it revealing a white sub-surface. Not exactly discrete! Would be 'no-worries' had the sub-surface been black, but white.....

Had thought to repair chip and disguise same by applying a wee amount of Araldite epoxy resin, but what to use as a black pigment to try and ensure the repair sort-of blends in?

Any ideas anyone then, for a black pigment to add to Araldite epoxy resin? There might be a bonus "shed exit visa" in it for me from Senior Management if I get the repair right, so I need your help!

Chris

Get a sample size of black pigment for cement mortar, should outlast the sink!!

Black paint?

I've used cellulose based paint as an additive to colour epoxy before today...worked for me..😃

You can get black acrylic repair kits for about £13. They are usually acrylic on a fibreglass base hence the white underneath.

Photo copy toner powder or some proper polyester resin pigment

What about black cement dye? not expensive and I think JB Weld would probably work better as it's already half way there being grey. You'll probably have to do a bit of experimenting as a "proper" black can be a pain to obtain in a lot of dyeing applications, anodising, cloth dyeing etc

Mix in some graphite powder, I've done something simillar as a filler for cast iron by adding metal swarf as well from the bandsaw and 'tinting' the patches with black marker pen. It looked quite convincing

Brian.

Hi Chris,

The ideal material would be carbon black but it is difficult to find in small quantities. I have some black powder that is used for powder coating steel articles. This is basically a mixture of carbon black with a thermoplastic. It is very fine particles (they float in air). If you want to try this to pigment the epoxy I can send you a small quantity by post. Send me a pm if you are interested.

Mike

I think toner powder is carcinogenic.

Wow, what a fast response by so many - thanks chaps.

I was thinking of going down the route of trying a few test pieces first using Hammerite black, car body spray black, a a drop of black from a Sharpie, but now I have Michael's kind offer I will try that first, so sending you a pm Mike.

Chris

In ME a good many years back there was a clock article, and it was suggested that Araldite mixed with lamp black was ideal for filling etched numbers on the clock face. Lamp black, candle smoke.

Ian S C

I followed advice off the net when fixing some chips in floor tiles. Ivory humbrol enamel and cheap epoxy worked OK, but the colour match wasn't perfect,. but better pale patched than big brown chips! Black should work fine. It was mostly epoxy with very little paint.

Neil

If I remember correctly JB Weld epoxy is black in colour and would make a good repair choice.

Doug

edit:

Just spotted JB Weld mentioned above as being more grey than black so perhaps not so good.

Edited By Douglas Johnston on 23/11/2015 14:07:51

I've used 'nail art' coloured glitter mixed with epoxy to fill check areas of timber. They do a black glitter as well. If you want it matt then ordinary carbon should do...as mentioned lamp black is classic..or any soot. I swept the chimney last week or you could have had a bucket-full. Even burn toast could be a source - or any of my wife's cooking....