My Tie-Dyed Lamy Safari

[StyloBug33]

I had a rather happy accident last week. I was helping my daughter with her new planner and accidentally smeared my white Lamy Safari with pink ballpoint ink (Paper Mate Inkjoy). As you can imagine, it stained, and I ended up with a white pen that had a blotch of pink on it. In a moment of panic, or inspiration, I decided to smear the whole thing. I was hoping to make it look at least somewhat uniform. I ended up smearing the whole thing with various degrees of pink, purple and black. I basically colored the end of my finger with the ballpoint and then smeared the Safari. Here is my first attempt:

 

http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k526/stylobug33/Pens%20and%20Paper%202013/null_zpsc76cae71.jpg

 

Over the course of the next few days, a little bit would wear off and so I would add more. It has never felt sticky at all. Now, the ballpoint ink seems to have really set into the pen. I ordered a 2nd white Safari to see if I could duplicate my results, and I was able to.

 

http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k526/stylobug33/Pens%20and%20Paper%202013/null_zpsd8969ca5.jpg

 

Now, I have two pens that look they were tie-dyed. I think it is pretty groovy.

 

http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k526/stylobug33/Pens%20and%20Paper%202013/c4f1c99b-b5a5-4d3d-8733-2f5d1944fcdc_zpsba9932ad.jpg

 

http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k526/stylobug33/Pens%20and%20Paper%202013/null_zpsdc7b26c1.jpg

 

[apkayle]

That's a beautiful design. Lamy might just start stealing your idea!

 

I wonder if the ink affects the plastic in any hugely negative way. Let us know how the color holds up over the course of a few months!

[flyingfox]

Wow, cool!!! I have to try that myself!!!

[inBOIL]

i just started daydreaming about a special edition marbled-acrylic Safari. (Your solution works too.)

[sargetalon]

Happy accident. Looks nice. How durable do you think the custom finish would be with regular use?

[The Good Captain]

Get it up on eBay!

[enchiridion]

be careful who gets your fingerprints

[stevlight]

I believe if you unscrew the big screw on the top of the cap {do they still make them that way--been a LONG time since i used a Lamy} you can remove the clip and "tie-dye" under the clip for a more uniform look!

[StyloBug33]

I believe if you unscrew the big screw on the top of the cap {do they still make them that way--been a LONG time since i used a Lamy} you can remove the clip and "tie-dye" under the clip for a more uniform look!

 

Ooo thank you. That would be great. I will try that.

 

I am also curious to see how they look in a month and then a year. I'll have to keep this updated. It would also be great to see if anyone else tries it.

[chad.trent]

Now I'm wondering how other dyes would work. We used to use RIT dye to dye our lacrosse sticks in our school colors. I'm thinking about picking up a white Safari just to try this out...

[Namru]

I do wonder if you could take a white Safari and dip it completely to stain it. BSB Safari, anyone?

[MisterBoll]

Very cool pen. It's very "acid is groovy, kill the pigs".

[Uncle Red]

Very cool.

 

Namru, Stephen Brown did a post on dying an Ahab with BSB.

[Polgara]

This is a wonderful idea! Here's another medium that might work well: alcohol inks. I've used them to color plastic charms, acetate sheets, clear glass beads, and other embellishments when I make greeting cards.

 

Two favorite brands are Adirondack Alcohol inks (a rainbow of colors + metallics in small "dripper" bottles, widely available) and Copic markers/refills (tend to be $$$). The blender solution marbles the colors. And the inks are stable and long-lasting.

 

Hmmm, now I may have to buy a white Safari......

[Sailor Kenshin]

*stares*

 

any other coloring agent suggestions?

[MisterBoll]

*stares*

 

any other coloring agent suggestions?

 

What about tie-dye inks?

[TheGreatRoe]

 

Ooo thank you. That would be great. I will try that.

 

I am also curious to see how they look in a month and then a year. I'll have to keep this updated. It would also be great to see if anyone else tries it.

 

If you do try this, please let us know how it works. This is a cool little project that may prove irresistible.

 

 

EDIT******

I wasn't careful enough when composing my response....When I said "please let us know how it works" I was refering to taking off the clip, staining it, and reattaching it.

Edited July 3, 2013 by dcroe05

[Mesu]

Great idea. Would love a purple marbled safari. .

[Flounder]

I love this! It came out great.

[amk]

Next up: a silver overlay Safari.