Putting a film on tubes...

[Nicholas Stock]

I remember a long time ago someone was describing how to color the glass envelope on a nixie tube...are there any instructions out there on how to do this?

Cheers,

Nick

[astroschmidt]

Hi Nick,

that could have been me.
In Germany the glass-paint that I use to colour my nixies and VFD-tubes is called "Gluehlampen-Tauchlack", which roughly translates as "bulb-dipping lacqeur".
I got mine from this Ebay-seller in 100ml quantities
http://stores.ebay.de/Super-Ingo-85-Shop/Tauchlack-/_i.html?_fsub=17515555&_sid=81142742&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322
I don't know if he ships overseas.
The orange paint is perfect for nixies and other neon glow-lamps, the green and blue ones give beautiful results with VFD-tubes.
Perhaps a search on your domestic sites with "bulb lacquer" or "glass paint" gives you the right products.

I simply pour the lacquer into a vessel where the tube just fits inside.
That way I can fully dip even quite large nixies with the 100ml qunatity.
Just dip the tube upside-down two or three-times into the lacquer, slowly pull it out again, let the excess paint drip off and let it dry overnight.
The tube should be grease-free. I clean it with isopropyl-alcohol before dipping.
With a little practice You get very even results.
In case You make a mistake You can wipe off the paint from the tube with acetone.

Kind regards

Roger

[Quixotic Nixotic]

On 17 Jan 2014, at 02:53, Nicholas Stock wrote:

> I remember a long time ago someone was describing how to color the glass envelope on a nixie tube...are there any instructions out there on how to do this?

I believe our esteemed group leader Nick de Smith had some good results and I am sure he will recall his experiences for us in due course.

I ventured to suggest French Enamel Varnish, FEV. This is bleached shellac with spirit dye.

As it says at http://www.flints.co.uk/acatalog/French_Enamel_Varnish.html - can also be used to colour low wattage light bulbs.

John S

[Nick]

I had some good results with VFDs - see the avatar on my posts in the group as an example (also attached).

As John says, at his suggestion I used FEV (French Enamel Varnish) - clean the glass with meths, then carefully dip the tube supporting it from the pins and allow to dry in a dust-free environment (still inverted).

Nick

"Y1938 showing internal detail after new test dipping in mauve FEV. Note that the apparent darkening of the mauve at the top of the tube is an optical illusion - the coating is very even and clear all over."

[Nicholas Stock]

I love this forum! Thanks for all the replies...I will get some lacquer/FEV and dip my Z568's in a nice purple....only kidding!

Cheers,

Nick

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[NeonJohn]

On 01/17/2014 04:41 AM, astroschmidt wrote:
> Hi Nick,
>
> that could have been me.
> In Germany the glass-paint that I use to colour my nixies and VFD-tubes is

Here in the US there are two very easy methods that I use to color neon
tubes.

The first is Krylon "stained glass in a can". Available at craft stores
such as Hobby Lobby. It's like regular Krylon except that the color is
a transparent dye instead of a pigment.

I use that for quickie jobs and jobs that aren't expected to have to
last very long.

For very durable coloring, and this should be available everywhere
people build custom cars, I use the color coat of the candy apple car
paint process. The stuff I use is a concentrated dye that comes in a
pint can. It is added to the clear automotive paint system of your choice.

For normal stuff I use ordinary acrylic enamel. Lacquer would be even
more durable and shiny but it has to be polished, something practical
for Nixies but not neon signs. For extraordinary stuff such as neon
that goes on a tower sign, I use polyurethane epoxy paint (caution: VERY
nasty stuff - supplied air respirator mandatory). This two part system
is almost bullet-proof.

In any case, I apply the dyed clear coat with an air brush. I like to
use fairly thin paint and apply several coats. More uniform color than
trying to do it with just one or two coats.

Clear red neon sprayed with candy apple red makes a deep red that looks
like you could swim into it. Even better color than classic colored glass.

John


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