Dyeing Glue

[Crooked Stic]

Has anyone tried putting dye in Smooth On? I have used dye in the epoxy for the fiberglass sockets on two piece bows. -I would think it would work about the same for thicker glues.
I got some walnut veneers that have a few tiny knot holes and think some color may be nice instead of glue color.

[Bvas]

I think Randy “critter” did when he built his daughters bow. I don’t remember what he used though.
Maybe he’ll chime in. If not drop him a PM.

[wood carver 2]

I recently used a liquid black dye in ea40 to fill voids in some wood for a project.
It was a really hot day and I put the mixed and dyed epoxy in the sun for a few minutes. It thinned as it heated. I filled the voids and it set up in only two hours.
Dave.

[jess stuart]

I have dyed epoxy with success using a small amount of paint.  You can get adjust the tinted with the amount of added paint a little goes a long ways.

[Crooked Stic]

Okay have a test strip curing now with aluminite dye. Used for stabilizing. Should be fine. Have laminated lots of risers with that dye in the wood.

[Shredd]

If you use anything liquid that is not made for epoxy you are taking your chances...  I have used powdered tempera paint in the past and had success with it...  The only down fall is that it may have little specs that did not break up...  I suggest that you put just enough part A in the paint to make a thick paste and grind it good against your mixing board until you think everything is broke down then mix the rest of the resin in...  The stuff is cheap...  Buy a couple of different colors to make the shade you want...  I would experiment on a sample piece first to make sure it comes out how you want...  Be careful with lighter blues, the amber color of epoxy may make the color more green, nature of the beast...

[Crittergetter]

I learned about this from the Big guy himself. Cant remember what he uses but I use transtint dye at least a couple times a month.
Done just about every color possible.
Glueing up some blue with buckeye later this week.

A little goes a LONG way!

( Just realized it’s Thursday. Probably be next week) 

[Flem]

Better late than never eh?

I use this stuff to color epoxy all the time. One or two drops will get you a translucent color , add more and it goes opaque

[BigJim]

FYI, smooth-on says that they wouldn't recommend dying the epoxy without doing tests first and use dye sparingly. ... Having said that, they don't test what they don't use. They have told me that the bowyers know more about the glue than they do. Now, that comes from an individual and probably not the companies stance.

I use alumalite and have for years. I have never had an issue to date, however getting the color just right can be frustrating. A drop the size of a winter pea may be twice as much as one needs in 6 oz of glue.. but with orange or red, it doesn't seem to be an issue. 
Just to give you a base line to compare to, I have probably done around 150 -200 bows utilizing the dye.. various browns, blues, green, orange, red and yellow.

BigJim

[Stagmitis]

Thanks big Jim, just in time for a bow im working on. Ill need very little epoxy so I think Ill go with a summer deer tick size....

[Autumnarcher]

Good info, something I had not considered doing. Could someone post up a couple pics of bows with dye added to glue? curious how it looks.

[Flem]

"FYI, smooth-on says that they wouldn't recommend dying the epoxy without doing tests first and use dye sparingly. ... Having said that, they don't test what they don't use. They have told me that the bowyers know more about the glue than they do. Now, that comes from an individual and probably not the companies stance. "

What a bizarre thing to tell customers!?!?

So my take on this is an employee at Smooth-on, who does not use their products, recommends doing tests on how much Smooth-on colorant to use in Smooth-on epoxy. Sounds like a good idea. You could always follow the manufacture of both products (Smooth-on) directions;

Even if their employee won't vouch outright for the efficacy of what he does not use, I will.
Been mixing Smooth-on colorants into smooth-on and other brand epoxy's for years with not one issue.
In fact you can use almost any colorant in epoxy as long as its not in a water or solvent based carrier.
That includes UTC's, alcohol based dyes and powered pigments, among a long list. Follow the manufactures directions, I guarantee someone has tested them or they would not risk selling the product.

[Roy from Pa]

Hell I just use ground up dried deer dung in my unibond 800..
Sticks to anything...

[Stagmitis]

I knew it!

It wasnt powdered walnut shells it was poop!

[Flem]

Hell I just use ground up dried deer dung in my unibond 800..
Sticks to anything...

Probably work good, as long as you got the big chunks out

[Roy from Pa]

Run it through the blender and comes out fine.

[Longcruise]

I don't know anything about this stuff but just came across it in the Rockler catalog.   Not a recommendation,  just an FYI.

[Flem]

Nice find Mike! I would try them for sure. For those of you who are hesitant to experiment, here is a small selection of products that have been used successfully in epoxy.

You got your dry pigment powders, ground earth pigments, UTC's, liquid wood dye, aniline dye, Smooth-on liquid colorants, candy pearl powder, and I even used Asphaltum to get an Amber look.

This was an unexpected discovery;

Dry dewaxed shellac flakes ground to fine powder, had an antique pearlescent effect.

Candy pearls look pretty cool in epoxy also

[Flem]

Meant to post this pic, not the other one

[BigJim]

green