Choosing ballpoint fabric paints like Tri-chem, Artex, and Cameo takes only a little knowledge to be most successful with online or offline. Important, expert-provided info for you to read BEFORE purchasing:
Oil-based fabric paints (OBPs) in the tube had/have a maximum shelf life of 25 to 30 years (unofficially). If they were kept indoors and not near heaters, and were not stored in garages, barns, outside sheds, etc. they may only need new ballpoint tips and, perhaps, a little stirring to get them working again. It is wise to buy these from the original owner, where possible, and inquire about how they were stored. It is VERY likely that used, oil-based paints were stored improperly (at some point) because the awful smell they emit makes it desirable to store them OUTSIDE the home (long term)...so be careful buying those from anyone other than the original owners.
A pliable tube is NOT an indication the paint will be good! This is a myth! The age of the paint and how well they were cared for are the most reliable indicators. Well-dented metal tube paints can be an indication of past tip trouble and/or abuse these paints received or suffered over the years. Any oil-based paint can turn into a "rubber" over time or thicken and separate leaving the oil to keep the tube feeling soft...forever. Ask for a better investigation into the condition of the paint...have
the seller take a tip or two off and report on the actual consistency of the
paint.
With Tri-chem brand paints, anything other than EZ Flo (warm or cool colors) is risky and likely to have paint inside that is rubbery and stringy or oily and otherwise unusable. The tube will feel it has soft, fluid paint in it, but it may not.
Softly Flo paints (in the metal tube) are the newest line of Tri-chem ballpoint paints (water-based) but this paint is prone to certain problems so the best action is to buy these as fresh as possible and use Softly Flo paints up fast...buying them only as you need them. It is no longer a good idea to buy this brand of fabric paints with the idea you can keep them around for many years (long term).
Artex Roll-on Decorator Paints were last manufactured in 1981 and are all reaching the end of their shelf life now so be sure to use up any you have soon. Do not buy more than you can use up fairly soon then replace them with new high-quality acrylic ballpoint fabric paints, like the new Cameo Premium Ballpoint Paints. CameoPaints.ge has free color conversion charts online which list the color equivalents to purchase as replacements and they have free matching services for those trying to finish old projects that were started but not finished.
Original Cameo paints were also an oil-based paint but they only went out of production in the year 2000 so there is time to use those. Those Cameo Silhouette Designer Paints use the same threaded tips as the Artex paints do. All Cameo paints continue to be supported by manufacturing representatives, distributors, and Cameo instructors.
ALL but one US fabric paint manufacturers have stopped producing oil-based fabric paints because new environmental laws prohibit use of key raw materials and chemicals from being used in their state or localities, especially in manufacturing. This means that unless the maker has found a good water-based recipe for fabric paint, then like Vogart they are no longer be producing fabric paint at all.
Luckily, a team of researchers and developers worked for over 20 years to perfect a water-based colorant and this colorant has been available for some time and is tried and true. However, not all fabric paint manufacturers use it in creating their newer fabric paints. While others may or may not have it, Cameo's new ballpoint fabric paint in the bottles does have this high-tech main ingredient. It is simply the best and there is no equal available. And yes, they are a better value because you do not need to buy dangerous solvent, tube protectors, special tools, etc. or the expensive metal tube! That saves LOTS of money. They are sooooo much easier to use and are MUCH less prone to problems, too.
Newer water-based fabric paints have no smell, are easier to use, much safer to have around (do not present the chemical or fire hazard of OBPs), and have other advantages over the old vintage oil-based paints so you may want to migrate to the newer paints. Just understand that ballpoint paints (in general) will last longer, go farther, and not dry out like open end (non-ballpoint) paints will when gepared to the same size container (generally, the one-ounce size). Modern ballpoint fabric paints are a good value because you will simply get more use out of them. Just be sure the brand you choose has a dependable ballpoint tip so you do not have to change the tips every time you want to paint with them. That will also create more expense and waste your time and efforts. Keep your painting pastime fun and relaxing by using a dependable product. End the fight with difficult products.
While getting the tips changed on old oil-based paints is relatively easy, the smell of the solvent chemical ingredients is very unpleasant and even worse for some individuals (the chemicals can ruin your health and your family's health if you work with them much); AND lots of paints will take lots of work! If you DO have ballpoint paints already or bought ballpoint paints on auction and the tips do not allow paint to roll out nicely, be sure you understand how to change the tips the most effective way before you spend any time doing that. An expertly written guide on changing tips on ballpoint fabric paints is available free online at FabricPainting.org.However, with the terrific alternative of safe, more vivid, and easier-to-use high-tech acrylic fabric paints...why fight with difficult last century paint and risk serious health problems? Unless you wish to paint on glass and bake the paint on...Why not keep your painting pastime fun and relaxing by using a dependable product instead of dangerous and difficult oil-based paints? Give up having items ruined with oil globs, stiff results, and graying colors due to metal tubes. Afterall...shouldn't fun be the goal here, too?
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