Painting or dyeing Spandex/Elastan and latex rubber Posted by Shawn on Feb 19, 2011
Rikka had PM'd me to ask some questions about the dragon I had made back when I was doing ren fest. Things kind of exploded and I thought perhaps I should bring the discussion to the public light. 
Ok so first off Rikka let me know that in Germany they use the word Elastan to refer to Spandex. Not sure if it is an exclusive German term but wanted to add that into the mix of things. I kind of think it is not... see reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spandex Anyway it helped her to understand what type of fabric I was talking about.
Then we started talking about dyeing or coloring Spandex. I told her that I used Design Master to paint Spandex or watered down acrylic paint. Since Rikka is on a budget expensive dyes where kind of out of the question so I suggested experimenting with natural elements to dye the fabric. I've had some success with tea and coffee even on Spandex. I think it depends on the mix of fibers used. She came back with ideas of woad or purple marshlocks, blackberries, blueberries and wild cherries. I figured it well worth posting about it here to see if there are any other ideas that folks come up with.
Somehow we progressed to what to use on latex to paint it. Actually she said she had gotten some white latex to play with and was thinking of buying flesh color if her experiments panned out. I came back with that I used to paint latex with acrylic paints and that it worked to some extent but would crack or peel off. Well that lead me to google and I found out that you can actually prep the latex with vinegar as a primer before you paint it and it helps. Here is a PDF file that describes two methods: http://www.artmolds.com/pdf/Painting_Latex.pdf There are actually paints you can buy for painting on latex and here is just one site that offers them. http://www.monstermakers.com/product/latex-paint-base.html On one forum I found a user said they always used acrylic paint to color latex rubber mixing it in. http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=128974 They said that for best results you could dilute the acrylic with clear ammonia.
Ok so there we have it... we have gone public!
Ok so first off Rikka let me know that in Germany they use the word Elastan to refer to Spandex. Not sure if it is an exclusive German term but wanted to add that into the mix of things. I kind of think it is not... see reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spandex Anyway it helped her to understand what type of fabric I was talking about.
Then we started talking about dyeing or coloring Spandex. I told her that I used Design Master to paint Spandex or watered down acrylic paint. Since Rikka is on a budget expensive dyes where kind of out of the question so I suggested experimenting with natural elements to dye the fabric. I've had some success with tea and coffee even on Spandex. I think it depends on the mix of fibers used. She came back with ideas of woad or purple marshlocks, blackberries, blueberries and wild cherries. I figured it well worth posting about it here to see if there are any other ideas that folks come up with.
Somehow we progressed to what to use on latex to paint it. Actually she said she had gotten some white latex to play with and was thinking of buying flesh color if her experiments panned out. I came back with that I used to paint latex with acrylic paints and that it worked to some extent but would crack or peel off. Well that lead me to google and I found out that you can actually prep the latex with vinegar as a primer before you paint it and it helps. Here is a PDF file that describes two methods: http://www.artmolds.com/pdf/Painting_Latex.pdf There are actually paints you can buy for painting on latex and here is just one site that offers them. http://www.monstermakers.com/product/latex-paint-base.html On one forum I found a user said they always used acrylic paint to color latex rubber mixing it in. http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=128974 They said that for best results you could dilute the acrylic with clear ammonia.
Ok so there we have it... we have gone public!
Re: Painting or dyeing Spandex/Elastan and latex rubber Posted by Sonny on Feb 19, 2011
Hey Guys,...
If we are talking liquid latex,...then if you want a solid color base to the latex,.. just add an acrylic color for the application.
This way you already have a base color when your piece dries. The Latex liquid I use is a clear latex, looks white but dries clear.
Once dry, then I airbrush the piece for depth and detail.
Heres an important part to keep your detail from cracking and falling off. Get yourself a spray can of Plasti - Dip ....clear spray...make sure its the "clear" spray. They have it in cans, but get the spray application.
If you need any other info,lemme know.
Sonny
If we are talking liquid latex,...then if you want a solid color base to the latex,.. just add an acrylic color for the application.
This way you already have a base color when your piece dries. The Latex liquid I use is a clear latex, looks white but dries clear.
Once dry, then I airbrush the piece for depth and detail.
Heres an important part to keep your detail from cracking and falling off. Get yourself a spray can of Plasti - Dip ....clear spray...make sure its the "clear" spray. They have it in cans, but get the spray application.
If you need any other info,lemme know.
Sonny
Re: Painting or dyeing Spandex/Elastan and latex rubber Posted by Maya Remblai on Feb 19, 2011
Plasti-dip sounds interesting. I wonder if I could use that myself. I'm having some issues making wings, I'm no good at making molds. 
I wonder if Plasti-dip could be poured into something it wouldn't stick to to make a thin sheet, then cut.
On-topic, latex and silicone are very similar, and neither takes surface paint very well. Everything I've read and experimented with myself says to mix pigments with the medium while it's still liquid (or putty, in my case.) Pretty much any pigment works though, including acrylic and oil based paints. I've never done anything with latex, though, just silicone. There are latex and silicone paint bases, though, but I've read that they don't have the same flexibility as the models themselves.
I wonder if Plasti-dip could be poured into something it wouldn't stick to to make a thin sheet, then cut.On-topic, latex and silicone are very similar, and neither takes surface paint very well. Everything I've read and experimented with myself says to mix pigments with the medium while it's still liquid (or putty, in my case.) Pretty much any pigment works though, including acrylic and oil based paints. I've never done anything with latex, though, just silicone. There are latex and silicone paint bases, though, but I've read that they don't have the same flexibility as the models themselves.
Re: Painting or dyeing Spandex/Elastan and latex rubber Posted by Sonny on Feb 20, 2011
Billy.... 
thanks buddy...I'm no king. But I must say this place put me on the map with all the great people and fantastic admins.
Plasti- dip can be very sticky...somewhat like glue. But lemme tell you it's a great sealant for working on latex. and a great presevative for latex.
I even use it on foam areas that will be getting alot of action/use. It can strengthen the foam and give a few more years of use.
Im not sure on the mold aspect of plasti dip, its really a tough material to work with , but I know its a great tool for preserving and sealing foam and
Keeping detail on latex...as in paints and detail.
thanks buddy...I'm no king. But I must say this place put me on the map with all the great people and fantastic admins.Plasti- dip can be very sticky...somewhat like glue. But lemme tell you it's a great sealant for working on latex. and a great presevative for latex.
I even use it on foam areas that will be getting alot of action/use. It can strengthen the foam and give a few more years of use.
Im not sure on the mold aspect of plasti dip, its really a tough material to work with , but I know its a great tool for preserving and sealing foam and
Keeping detail on latex...as in paints and detail.
Loading