Chalk for coloring epoxy

[Bluegill]

Would string chalk (like Straight-Line brand chalk) work well as a colorer of epoxy ???
If I used different colors of epoxy for each coat, I would be more assured that I have covered everything.
I could use red for the first coat of epoxy, blue for the second coat, graphite on the third coat.
Line chalk cost $1.50 vs $10 or $15 for colorer from epoxy suppliers.

[Gib Etheridge]

I've heard of people using it successfully, and it won't take much to tint the resin enough for your purpose. What's to lose?

[Nicholas Carey]

Chalk for chalk lines might be a bit coarse. You could also buy dry artist's pigments in bulk (used to make one's own paint) from an art supply houses like

• Daniel Smith in Seattle at http://www.danielsmith.com/Item--i-G-284-030
• Sinopia in San Francisco at http://www.sinopia.com/
• Kremer Pigmente Gmbh at www.kremerpigments.com/ (NYC) and http://kremer-pigmente.de/en (Germany)

Prices, of course, vary with what you're buying, but a 1 lb package of Ultramarine Blue, for instance, from Daniel Smith is $10.95.

[David G]

I go to the local pro paint distributor and get film-canister sized pots of the 10 or so basic colorants: black, white, pthalo blue, burnt umber, etc. They are concentrated and creamy, so the color without effecting the consistency of the epoxy. You can get a few of the colors in small tubes from West Marine and such, but the quantity is small, they're pretty expensive.

[Nicholas Carey]

I go to the local pro paint distributor and get film-canister sized pots of the 10 or so basic colorants: black, white, pthalo blue, burnt umber, etc. They are concentrated and creamy, so the color without effecting the consistency of the epoxy. You can get a few of the colors in small tubes from West Marine and such, but the quantity is small, they're pretty expensive.

I thought about universal tints, but not knowing what the carrier is or how it might interfere with the epoxy chemistry, it seems to me that dry mineral pigments are less risky.

[David G]

I thought about universal tints, but not knowing what the carrier is or how it might interfere with the epoxy chemistry, it seems to me that dry mineral pigments are less risky.

Now I wish I'd pay closer attention to what I buy. I didn't want to do the research to discover what was compatible, so I simply asked my supplier. They had no problem telling me that one type of colorant would muck things up, and the other would be peachy. Now I don't recall which was which. I just show up and say - I want more of THIS. If you have a paint supplier you trust, you can do the same. If you do, let us know what type of colorant it is... or maybe I'll ask (and actually pay attention) next time I do a refill.

[Bluegill]

Soller Composites writes

Colored Pigment Options

Epoxy can be easily colored by using up to approx a 5% mixture of powdered line chalk (available at any hardware store - used to snap lines on a wall). These are available in any base color and can be mixed to create any color). Note that grout can also be used if earth tones are desired. Epoxy pigments also work well, but are much more expensive.

[TXdoug]

I used it to make black. No problems at all.

[Bluegill]

I used it to make black. No problems at all.

What is "it" ???

[TXdoug]

What is "it" ???

Post # 9 and you have already lost track of the OP's question?
Chalk line chalk is what we are talking about. I'll try to find a pic and a more detailed explanation.

[TXdoug]

OOps MY bad, you are the OP, Sorry. Did not intend to be a horse's A.

Here is how I used it. Thru holes in this kayak were done with parts of a broken fishing pole. Holes were not perfect so I filled with the chalk blackened epoxy.