Adding color to globe fluid

[Keith]

So you want to change your lamp from clear fluid (or faded fluid) to a nice color that pops!  Food coloring does a fine job but here is a method that I have heard about, but I don't remember anyone actually showing it being done.  What is this method you ask?

Highlighter pen ink!

Water-soluble colors in a nice selection of bright neon colors.  But does it work, and does it match?  Well short answer is yes it does, long answer will take some time.  Hey, I just colored it yesterday!  I don't know if it will last long term or not.

Well, let's get to it and color a globe!

First, figure out which globe you want to color.  In my case I had set up a display that had to have a 32 oz blue/white globe, but the only one not hidden away in storage was faded.

middle globe in this pic.  Notice the deep blue fluid on the silver century compared to the enchantress planter.

Surgery begins!  Igor, bring my pliers!!  (globe cap is already removed)

See the plug on the back end of the highlighter pen?  Just grab that with the pliers, twist and pull until it comes out.  Inside the pen you will see a "cartridge" full of ink attached to the tip that is under the cap.  It will look like a short straw filled with ink.  At this point you want to make SURE that you have thin latex or nitril gloves on.  You will be handling the ink cartridge directly.  If you can reach it just pull it out of the back.  If not, like I had to on this one, take a heavy pair of scissors and cut away the body of the pen until you can get a hold of the ink.

Then hold one end of the ink "straw" in the globe with one hand and with the other hand, actually just a finger and thumb, start at the top and squeeze out as much ink as you want.  I used the whole thing.

Then clean up, recap and let it ooze away!!  

What?  How do you recap?  Oh I guess that would help to know!

Here's how I did it the first time I popped a cap

https://oozinggoo.ning.com/profiles/blogs/lamp-repair

But guess what?  I've got a capper now, so I want to show you how to use one.  Ready?

Just put everything in place, adjust the capper, and push down the lever!

Oh, crap!  It didn't seal!  What's up with that!!!  Shoot, the bell part on the capper is the wrong size!  I have to find where to get the correct size now.  

But at least there's still the hose clamp method!

Check out that color saturation huh? 

And how about that color match?  Looks spot on to me!

[Keith]

lol, yeah.  We live in the boondocks!  40 miles to a Walmart but only 10 miles to Dollar General. 

Wonky Tonk said:

Those look good man, but I have a question: is there a reason you chose those specific highlighters, or does it matter? Would the expensive name brand ones work better? I'm redoing my grande right this minute, and am considering the highlighters, but being my flagship lamp I'll want it to be the best it can.

[Carol]

Keith, at least you have a Walmart and a Dollar General.  My neice lived in a town with neither!!!  lol!!!

Ut oh, kind of off topic........new threat:  Places without Walmarts and Dollar General's!!!!!  lololol

[Carol]

Ok back on topic.  Has anyone that has used the Sharpie method had their lamps to see what the test of time brings.  I'm just saying that I'm kind of afraid the ink will bleed into the wax or is this not possible?  It's getting closer to my 1st regoo and I'm getting nervous, lol!!  What to do, what to do???  Should I be worried about the wax grabbing the liquid color over time?

[Keith]

Actually not in our town.  We have 3 gas stations (2 are convenience stores, one is also a restaraunt) and  a hardware store.  The other businesses in town cater to the oil industry. So we don't just run up to the store. 

Carol Morrow said:

Keith, at least you have a Walmart and a Dollar General.  My neice lived in a town with neither!!!  lol!!!

Ut oh, kind of off topic........new threat:  Places without Walmarts and Dollar General's!!!!!  lololol

[Carol]

That would drive me crazy.........and I have store less then 20 minutes away, lol!!!

[Carol]

I hear that the purple is the hardest to replicate, even with the food coloring and mixing thereof.  Do they even have purple Sharpie highlighter?  If so, hummmm......I wonder???

 

[Keith]

Might have to find it online?

[Keith]

Read this regarding Sharpie purple highlighter ;)

http://oozinggoo.ning.com/forum/topics/purple-highlighter

Carol said:

I hear that the purple is the hardest to replicate, even with the food coloring and mixing thereof.  Do they even have purple Sharpie highlighter?  If so, hummmm......I wonder???

 

[Chase Griff]

I Heard lots of stories it's only last 3 or 4 years? Do you know the time span?

[Keith]

I boxed it away about a year ago and it still showed no signs of fading, that's over 5 years.  I've had food coloring fade after a couple of months.  Others have  suggested using inkjet printer ink and have reported that it last a long time also.

Chase Griff said:

I Heard lots of stories it's only last 3 or 4 years? Do you know the time span?