Paint Pen?

[Chauncey Matthews]

I know I read about it here, but I can't find the thread again. I remember a discussion about quality paint pens and there was an agreement for the "go to" brand.
Anybody remember that or have a recommendation for a good paint pen?
thanks

[EricKeller]

the brand came from Dave Bohm, don't remember either. Craig Ryan would know, obviously

[Craig Ryan]

Chauncey, I use Posca pens. Eric is right, Dave did turn me on to them. I did some experimenting with a bunch of commonly available brands and settled on Posca for my needs. I think the key attribute is they are water based and can dry well before clear is shot over them. I'm sure there are others that might work for you also.
Craig

[Chauncey Matthews]

Posca, that's the one!
I have used another brand but while the paint was good, the pens were junk....these should do the trick just fine.
Thanks Craig and Ethan (on pm)

[Scheisserad61]

Are the pens for Lug outlining ?

[Chauncey Matthews]

Possibly....right now I'm planning on using them to fill in some accent holes and to be able to put a sig on some frames when it's requested.
Why, do you have any lug lining suggestions?

[Craig Ryan]

I find the pens are not the best choice for either lug lining or accent holes. Basecoat color covers much better. If you get a Fluidwriter and use basecoat, you can do quite a bit in areas too small to mask for spraying. I have both of these.
If you thin the paint right they work well. Good luck!

[Jonathan]

I use the fluid writer too. It's the way to go.

[dbohemian]

Possibly....right now I'm planning on using them to fill in some accent holes and to be able to put a sig on some frames when it's requested.
Why, do you have any lug lining suggestions?

Posca's are fun! Maybe o.k. for accent windows (I personally mask and airbrush) and great for signatures. Really what they are fun for is being artistic. Just draw away and see what you get:) Check out what some of the surfboard guys have done with poscas for inspiration.

If you want clean lug lining a fluidwriter or old style hypodermic pen is the way to go, not really poscas.

[bellman]

Quick question while everyone is here, What would the longevity of a paint pen applied over a powdercoat clear be?

I have a bike going out to a series winner and I was wondering about a small line of text noting this on the bike somewhere.

Would it need to be cleared over or would it survive in an out of the way place?

I also have a roll of clear vinyl sign laminating material like chainstay protection that I could apply over it as well.

Would the waterbased Posca pens work for this or is there a different type more suitable?

thanks,
jake

[Chauncey Matthews]

Thanks Dave, Craig, and Johnathan.
I've actually had good luck filling the holes with a paint pen (small holes though), but I mainly wanted a decent pen for other designs that would last for more than one use.
Funny thing is that since I posted this thread, it looks like I'll have a lug lining job coming up soon! So the tips on the fluid pen were perfect timing.
Going to order the one from Craig's link now

[Andrew Cooper]

I have used paint pens over powder coats a few times, for accent holes,windows. They have held up for a 1.5 yeas so far. I use DecoColor pens from a local graffiti shop. I have not tried it on top of a powder coat for a signature, I would imagine it could easily flake off. Best bet is to try it on sample pieces first. Clear vinyl would protect it okay just not as clean as a clear coat.

[dbohemian]

I use DecoColor pens from a local graffiti shop.

You owe it to yourself to try Posca's. Deco Pens really are not the same, add in that half of my deco's leaked like crazy it got me looking for something better.

It is just a water based paint so don't expect them to take a lot of grief. Clear coats or protective coating are in order for long term exposed use.

[Andrew Cooper]

I will give the Posca's a try. The Decos worked well for a couple of bike, but yes they can clog up easily and sometimes blot out of no where. Dido on the clear coat

[bellman]

I have used paint pens over powder coats a few times, for accent holes,windows. They have held up for a 1.5 yeas so far. I use DecoColor pens from a local graffiti shop. I have not tried it on top of a powder coat for a signature, I would imagine it could easily flake off. Best bet is to try it on sample pieces first. Clear vinyl would protect it okay just not as clean as a clear coat.

Thanks for that Andrew.

[Chauncey Matthews]

Yep, Poscas will do just fine.

[hmbatrail]

I find the pens are not the best choice for either lug lining or accent holes. Basecoat color covers much better. If you get a Fluidwriter and use basecoat, you can do quite a bit in areas too small to mask for spraying. I have both of these.
If you thin the paint right they work well. Good luck!

I have good luck with these as well. I have used base coat and also the enamel pinstriping paint from HOK mixed with the activator over clear. Works like a charm provided you are comfortable with the color choices.

[TomN]

I realise this is an old discussion, but I thought I'd share some of my own experience with posca paint pens. I'm neither a frame builder nor a painter, but I have hand painted a number of older steel frames with automotive base coat, followed by hand painting with poscas, then two component clear coat. The first frame I painted this way is about 8 years old and there are no signs of fading in the hand painted areas. I have also never had problems with clear coat reacting with the posca acrylic paint, even in areas with large surfaces covered. The only issue, as others here have pointed out, is that the posca paints need the base coat to have some bite. Once the surface is prepared, you can actually mix the colours on the frame if desired. I've often worried about missing the time "window" to spray the clear coat (by weeks), but so far this has not been an issue, even on metallic base coats that were not sanded. Only time will tell. Here is a recent example:
IMG_8742.jpgIMG_8744.jpgIMG_8745.jpgIMG_8746.jpgIMG_8748.jpgIMG_8749.jpgIMG_8750.jpgIMG_8751.jpg

[crumpton]

TomN, you saying that everything on that frame with exception of the green base is hand drawn with posca pens?

[GEBLA]

Very cool!

Georg