In this article, I would like to summarize the most important considerations for achieving beautiful colors in your Jesmonite or other casting compounds.
QUALITY: Use only lightfast pigments that artists use. Lightfast pigments resist fading when exposed to light, ensuring colors remain vibrant and stable over time.
SUPPLIER: Purchase pigments from a reliable supplier and stick with them to ensure predictable results in your production.
CONSISTENCY: 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, mottling, and similar organic effects with high color intensity, great variety, and relatively low cost.
PRECISION: Use single genuine pigments and avoid mixtures (except those of your own making) if you want to achieve precise recipes.
PLASTER QUALITY: 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 better you mix, the more color uniformity you achieve with any type of colorant. Use a mixing blade and stir for at least 2 minutes. Keep your mixing cup on ice to slow down the curing process.
RINSING: After sanding, wash your pigmented items with a drop of detergent and a simple kitchen sponge. Rinse well, pat dry, and leave to cure for 24 to 48 hours before sealing.
MAINTENANCE: 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 here >>