Anyone use block out pens?

[Screened Gear]

I used them but stopped. I have had pin holes or larger holes open back up that I used them on. I like tape when on the press. You don't have to wait for dry time. The block out pens are water based so they only work with plastisol.

If you wipe a screen use screen opener. It breaks down the ink alot better then press wash. This way the tape you covered holes with don't transfer ink as easily. Still a good Idea to run a test shirt.

We use block out pens and it holds up fine, has lasted over 10k prints before just fine.  It's also usable for water-based ink screens.

Pinholes are blocked right after screen is taped which happens when it's dry on the rack after the stencil has been washed out. 

We don't have many pinholes though because we use a CTS now.  Only have to check on 200+ higher mesh counts.

What pens are you using?

[jsheridan]

Nail polish from the .99 cent store.

Have a nice day!

[jvieira]

Nail polish from the .99 cent store.

Have a nice day!

really? it holds out and is easily removable on washout?

[Frog]

Nail polish from the .99 cent store.

Have a nice day!

really? it holds out and is easily removable on washout?

With our inks, the nail polish holds fine, and then, since it's just a tiny spot on top of the emulsion, comes off with normal reclaim

[jvieira]

will make sure to test it this coming week. we're taking steps to preventing pinholes but there's still a few and some are hard to reach. this will help tremendously.

how long should we let it dry? will 30secs suffice?

[Frog]

will make sure to test it this coming week. we're taking steps to preventing pinholes but there's still a few and some are hard to reach. this will help tremendously.

how long should we let it dry? will 30secs suffice?

However long it takes. Classically, one sees women blowing on their nails to hasten the process. So, time depends on temperature and air movement.
If you strike off a shirt prematurely, not only do you have a spot on that shirt, but probably also brought back the pinhole.
Try a dab on any old thing and see.

[kingscreen]

CLEAR finger nail polish.  Only use clear.  Cheaper the better.

[Frog]

Presently, I'm using Cover Girl 801 Pink. What's the problem with color?

Oh, and just as often, I'll use a small piece of tape.

[kingscreen]

First, if you're blocking out registration marks with it too, you can still see through them.
But more importantly colors are formulated differently than clear. In my experience, clear holds up better on press and reclaims easier.
When we do longer runs of WB or DC, we use clear nail polish to block out the reg marks AND use clear tape.

[Frog]

I have only used nail polish for breakouts during runs (which occur much less frequently than they used to)

[Itsa Little CrOoked]

I have only used nail polish for breakouts during runs (which occur much less frequently than they used to)

Hey, just a quick question... do any of you guys do a fingernail polish repair (pinhole size) during a run, without cleaning BOTH sides of the repair first?

I've not tried it in a long time, but have wondered if anyone does it successfully. My fingernail polish is getting old and a bit thick, and the other day, I wondered if a newer, thinner batch might dry quicker and maybe a couple of coats might even bridge the open mesh sufficiently to do a one sided fix.

Don't want to hijack the thread. I've never tried blockout pens.

[Frog]

I don't. Just a blob on the pinhole breakout.
As I said though, nowadays, I find myself more often using a small piece of tape as there is no drying time.

[Screened Gear]

I don't. Just a blob on the pinhole breakout.
As I said though, nowadays, I find myself more often using a small piece of tape as there is no drying time.

On press I use tape don't have time to wait on press. I do use colored polish on the light table before the run. I may switch to clear just to try it out.

[Sbrem]

they always felt to bulky for me, I prefer a sable brush which comes to a nice point...

Steve

BTW: I haven't touched up a screen in a long time though, not my job anymore...

[jvieira]

I don't. Just a blob on the pinhole breakout.
As I said though, nowadays, I find myself more often using a small piece of tape as there is no drying time.

On press I use tape don't have time to wait on press. I do use colored polish on the light table before the run. I may switch to clear just to try it out.

sometimes there's some spots pretty hard to reach with tape. the tips gotten here will come in handy but tape is still the way to go for most pinholes