Acrylic Pens

When I found Artooli Acrylic Paint Pens, I decided to give it a try. Paint pens? Well they are desined for many surfices, and seems to be marketed for rock painting and ceramics. If it works for that then it should work on 3D prints. Also, easy to use, no fumes or strong smell, and there is nothing to clean up. And it turns out that the extra fine tip is good for small details.

Draw Backs

Although they are easy to use I found the following disadvantages:

• If painting a larger surfice in one color, it take a bit of time;

• They can’t get into tight places;

• The paint can get in between the print layers and run.

Solutions

Ok, for the first point this is not exactly a solution. For me I find that painting the prints is relaxing and I’m in no rush. I’m fine with the amount of time it took to color the yellow on Kevin here.

Minion Kevin as part of Minion Movie Trio by Lloyd Roberts on MyMiniFactory.com

Getting into tight places can be solved by using a small brush. Just add some of the paint from the pen to the brush and get in those hard to reach spots.

And for the issue with the paint bleeding, I have found that two or three coats of water based polyurathane does the trick.

Polyurethane

If you are familiar with wood working in any form, you have at least hear of polyurethane. It seals your project with a hard smooth transparent finish that protects from water.

Applying 2 or 3 coats help to fill the layers so that the paint can’t seep in and bleed. Since the Acrylic Pens are designed for smooth surfices, this works great.

Polyurethane comes in both water based and oil based formulas. While the oil based version is thicker and would probaly do a better job of smoothing a 3D print, it has a stronger smell along with more fumes and requires mineral spirits or acetone for clean up. More smells and vapors.

The water based version is thinner and requires more coats, it has a very mild smell less fumes. Also a little soap and water is all that is needed for clean up.

I enjoy painting the 3D prints as much as I enjoy printing them.

Of course these aren’t an end all, but a good beginning in my new hobby. And i will post more as I continue with 3D printing.

What were your first experiences in 3D printing? How did you start painting your prints? I’d love to read about it.

Thank you for welcoming me into the 3D printing community.