Dying epoxy

[msiler]

Before I run out and get food coloring or RIT dye or whatever...I was wondering if anyone knows a good way to tint epoxy?

Looking to tie up some bonefish flies and want to try some tinted epoxy like tan, olive, brown etc.

[Chuckster]

How about the little tubes of epoxy/fiberglass tint that they sell at We$t Marine or Boater's World?

[DAQ]

Funny, I was thinking about doing something similar recently. I wonder if we will have incompatability (solubility or other) issues with the dye or other additives. Please post your results if you try.

D

[Henry]

A few years ago, I came up with the perfect and least messy was to dye epoxy.

Many folks mix their epoxy on post-it notes or scrap paper. I use waxed paper (the kind in your wifes baking drawer). It presents a few tremendous advantages. Firstly, the formation of micro-bubbles during the mixing process is vastly lessened. Through-bleeding of the epoxy and onto your tying desk is eliminated.

...and finally to answer your question. Once you've mixed your desired amount of epoxy on a strip of waxed paper. Grab one of your "Sharpie" coloured permanent ink markers and quickly draw a small scribble right next to your epoxy blob. The wet ink "beads" because of the wax surface and allows you a brief moment before drying to move the epoxy blob over the ink. Blend the colour into the epoxy...add more of the same or other colours untill you've created the exact tint you want.

PS. Don't throw away those short snippits of Krystal Flash or other bits of flash material. I bundle them up then cut them into tiny sparkleflakes then store them in small clear pill bottles. When mixing your epoxy (I use a bodkin), dip the tip of the bodkin into the sparkleflake to pick up a small amount, then continue mixing the epoxy. The effect looks neat and professional and Bonefish seem to like it too!

Good luck with it,

[BIG PAPA]

Matt, The easiest way to accomplish this, is to use permanent markers, Sharpies work the best. Do all of your epoxy work, let it dry, then color it with the color of your choice, finish it with a coat of Hard as Hull head cement. This leaves the head with a nice glossy finish.A fly tyer by the name of Kevin Hamel will be tying at Marlboro and Somerset in the Down-N-Trout Outfitters booth, he uses markers for everything,he will also be featured in the Art of Angling Journal in one of the up coming editions.


Glenn

[uncle4]

Hi there.

I too tried "marking" wax paper with pantenes and sharpies,
with mixed results: most of the time the color was washed out.

For black tint, esp. for sinking flies (I use it on my "bonefish
special" ties) I use some powdered tungsten mixed into the
expoxy. JET black, super shiny, sinks like eyes (and no fouling).

Otherwise, I ususally use Jacquard's Lumiere colors (really nice
pearling effect) or Liquitex acrylic. Go to an art supply store,
and look for pigment (or paint -- pigment diluted) for air gun
work.... almost all are acrylic-based and should work fine.

Oh... and post pix!

Uncle 4

[Markymark]

I have used just a drop of paint from a pin or needle....Just a very small drop,mixed in the epoxy before applying.It worked wonders for me.Just my .02cts.

[teflon_jones]

As usual Henry, you have some great ideas! :)

The wonderful thing about epoxy and fly fishing is that you can add just about anything you want to it in small amounts. If you want to tint it with food coloring, add some. Want some flash? Buy some glitter at your local craft store and throw a little in. The options are only limited by your imagination!

[silkfish]

I buy tiny bottles of Testors paint.Let the thinner seperate and pour off.Then use one drop per 5min mix,I coat 2-4heads. bob

[BobG]

Matt,

This might be an option. Instead of dying epoxy, why not try colored hot glue sticks? I use them when I tie Bonefish bitters. You insert the desired colored glue stick into the hot glue gun, and spread the hot glue over the flies body to create an "epoxy-like" body. As soon as you finish, drop the fly into a glass of cold water to cool and set the glue.

[Fin Addiction]

Lefty Krehs Saltwater Fly Pattern book has tips on dying epoxy. It was written by Joe Branham....

[Captcastafly]

See if this works.

Go to any photo shop program and select the hues you want. There is an unlimited number of selections and shades. Use your printer to print a small area of color. Immediately (hopefully while still wet) mix the epoxy over the color swatch.

[msiler]

Thanks for all the great replies!

After trying the "sharpie marker" method I decided it was so easy to do and worked so well that I did not even try any of the other suggestions with dye or paint etc. Additionally, I already have about 20 Sharpie colors on hand so I did not need to spend another penny or go out and buy something new, so I liked that aspect as well.

All I did was make a dime sized circle on a piece of plastic or wax paper of the color I wanted. Then I mixed my epoxy right on top of it and after about 10 seconds the epoxy would "pick up" the color underneath and give me a nice translucent epoxy body. Worked great for brown, tan, pink, yellow and I imagine will work just as well for almost any color. One note, a little color goes along way, so start with just a hint of color.

[RogerStg]

Thanks for all the great replies!

...and give me a nice opaque epoxy body.

I've always got a translucent body with this method, never opaque - hats off to Henry for coming up with it. --127-3-

[Henry]

Yeah!, the sharpie method works great...too easy! Glad things worked out. Now let's see some pics of the flies you tied.

Regards,

[msiler]

Here are a few pics: (comments are always appreciated)

I tied the Estes Epoxy flies two ways and water tested them.

The #6 hook, epoxy head and nylon eyes are very light so they are not enought to make the fly ride hook up like with the heavy eyes of a clouser...

1) Marabou tied on the hook gap side. This makes the fly ride Hook point up.

2) Marabou on the "top" of the hook. This makes the fly ride hook point down. On sandy bottoms I actually like this better for two reasons:
a) with the hook in the sand the marabou points upwards at about a 45 degree angle and waives in the current attractively. Also, the wound hackle waves underneath and looks surprisingly like a live shrimp!
b) Fish this super slow with almost or even no retieve at all. As a Bone closes, give a short, tight strip which makes the fly "jump" and the hook dig into the sand making a tiny "puff" of sand like a fleeing crab or shrimp.

[BobG]

Nice flies Matt.

I tied some almost identical, and I used colored hot glue sticks instead of the colored epoxy. IMHO, it's much easier to work with, and the bonefish can't tell the difference. :brow

[msiler]

i hear Hot Glue makes some great flies. Never worked withit personally. I have heard that in the hot sun of the caribbean that the glue can soften and deform especially if you leave your fly box somewhere in the direct sun...I did not want to have to deal with reshaping the heads and then "setting" them again by dipping them in the water to cool...I use enough epoxy that it is easy for me to make these and they are extremely duarable

[uncle4]

I use both epoxy and hot glue. I like the
epoxy because it's glossy and durable. I
like the hot glue because it's easier to work
with and it has a matte finish. I'll try to get
a photo of Bonito Ed's hot-glue squid fly..
a real piece of art!

Uncle 4

[Henry]

Great looking flies...almost look like a "bunny Biter" pattern I tie modeled after the original tied by Angie Chestnut. I personally think you can't beat the translucency of epoxy and a hint'o'tint with a sharpie marker.

Want a real challenge? Tie up some of my Ultimate Shrimp.

Again, nice tying!

Henry

[Eddy Merckx]

I'm almost embarrased to post this after seeing Henry's incredible shrimp, but here goes...

I picked up come stuff called Glitterz at the Down-n-Trout booth at the Marlborough show. It's ultrafine colored glitter, you can mix it in your epoxy or sprinkle on top. It's a craft shop item.

I tied up this Rhody Chovy type of epoxy fly to see how the Glitterz works. I used a heavy hand when adding to the epoxy, the result is opaque. Less Glitterz would give a more translucent look.

Haven't made up my mind whether I like the stuff yet.