Essential Guidelines for Vibrant, Long-lasting Colors
In this article, I would like to summarize the most important considerations for achieving beautiful colors in your Jesmonite or other casting compounds.
Quality: Choose Artist-Grade Pigments
Use only lightfast pigments that artists use. Lightfast pigments resist fading when exposed to light, ensuring colors remain vibrant and stable over time.
Supplier: Consistency is Key
Purchase pigments from a reliable supplier and stick with them to ensure predictable results in your production.
Consistency: Match Technique to Desired Effect
Liquid pigments (such as Jesmonite Pigments) and professional fluid acrylic paints ensure uniform color coverage better than dry pigments.
Dry pigments are better put to use for:
- Terrazzo effects
- Mottling and organic patterns
- High color intensity projects
- Cost-effective color variety
Precision: Keep It Pure
Use single genuine pigments and avoid mixtures (except those of your own making) if you want to achieve precise recipes.
Plaster Quality: Choose Your Base Wisely
Acrylic-based gypsum (such as Jesmonite) is preferred over water-based mixtures for achieving vivid and even colors.
If your compound requires water, use demineralized water to avoid possible reactions of minerals with pigments.
Thorough Mixing: The Foundation of Uniform Color
The better you mix, the more color uniformity you achieve with any type of colorant.
Best practice:
- Use a mixing blade
- Stir for at least 2 minutes
- Keep your mixing cup on ice to slow down the curing process
Post-Casting Care for Optimal Results
Rinsing: Clean Finish Technique
After sanding, wash your pigmented items with:
- A drop of detergent
- A simple kitchen sponge
- Rinse well and pat dry
- Leave to cure for 24 to 48 hours before sealing
Maintenance: Revive and Protect
Once in a while, reseal your items with something like “stone wax.” Such mediums are usually beeswax- and/or carnauba-wax-based and really help to revive colors.
⚡ Want to save tons of time measuring everything?
Download my all-inclusive Jesmonite spreadsheet!
This spreadsheet precisely calculates the amount of Jesmonite AC100 powder, liquid, filler, and pigment needed for your mold’s volume and product recipe. Simply measure the mold’s volume by filling it with water, and the sheet will handle the rest.
Take the guesswork out of ratios and focus on creating beautiful, consistent results every time.
Master these fundamentals, and you’ll create pieces with colors that stay vibrant and beautiful for years to come.