Black Streaks from Pasta Machine on Polymer Clay
Video #510: Those black lines on are one of the most frustrating problems that can happen with lower end pasta machines.
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IN THIS POST: — pasta machine — black streaks — black lines — oxidation — clay conditioning machine — dirty polymer clay — polymer clay sheets — translucent polymer clay — atlas — sculpey — amaco — (Topics marked with an asterisk* are discussed in the Comments Section below).
Topics Covered In This Video:
- I get asked about those black streaks many times every week, so I know this is a very common problem with many clayers.
- Originally I thought it was grease coming from the rollers. But that is not the case.
- Those black lines are actually caused by scratches in the chrome plating on the pasta machine rollers, that is reacting with the chemicals in the polymer clay.
- Basically the metal scratches are oxidizing which can leave a black residue on the metal surface.
- The residue then gets transferred to the clay.
- I removed the fins from the pasta machine to show you how the rollers work, but I have an older machine that can be taken apart. Don’t take apart newer machines because they may not go back together! You’ve been warned ;-?
- Over time, the rollers on the low end pasta machines get lots of scratches where the scrapers rub against them.
- Scratches tend to be on the outside edges of rollers due to scrapers bending in the middle.
- On the cheaper pasta machines/clay conditioning machines from Sculpey and Amaco, the chrome plating is low quality, and the rollers age and oxidize quickly.
- I used to suggest cleaning with Rubbing Alcohol, but I think that actually that makes things worse.
- Now, my suggestion is to run some scrap translucent through your machine, which works to pick up the black streaks. Then you can put your good clay through rollers.
- Once clean, it takes a while for oxidation to build up again.
- My theory on tools… a low end machine will do you well enough until you prove that you will use it enough to justify buying a higher end machine. In other words, buy cheap to start, then if you use it so much that it it breaks… buy the best you can afford at that stage.
- My next pasta machine purchase will be the Atlas 150 – Wellness Series with Anodized Aluminum rollers that are guaranteed not to leave black streaks.
00:00:03 –> 00:00:06 Hi guys, its Cindy Lietz, your Polymer Clay Tutor, and today’s Studio Tip, we’re talking
00:00:07 –> 00:00:13 about the black streaks that you get on your Polymer clay from the pasta machine, now this
00:00:13 –> 00:00:16 has been probably my most requested video.
00:00:16 –> 00:00:22 What do you do when you take your White Polymer clay and you run it through your pasta machine
00:00:22 –> 00:00:29 and you get some…yeah, good, I knew it would happen, some Black streaks on it, now I’ll
00:00:29 –> 00:00:32 just explain to you what’s actually happening here.
00:00:32 –> 00:00:36 Now originally, years ago…when I first had this starting to happen, I thought it was
00:00:36 –> 00:00:42 grease or something coming from the rollers, and actually, it’s not.I’ve removed…
00:00:42 –> 00:00:47 I’ve got the…these are the fins that go on the front of the pasta machine, that’s
00:00:47 –> 00:00:52 why it looks a little different right now, I removed them so that I could show you how
00:00:52 –> 00:00:56 the rollers work a little bit better…but I wouldn’t recommend you removing them from
00:00:56 –> 00:01:01 your machines, ‘cause this is an older machine that can come apart, some of the newer machines
00:01:01 –> 00:01:05 won’t…well they’ll come apart but they’ll never go back together, so don’t bother
00:01:05 –> 00:01:11 trying taking your fins off.Anyways…but now that you can see inside here, these are
00:01:11 –> 00:01:18 the rollers here of the machine, and you can see, over time, they get…mine are getting
00:01:18 –> 00:01:25 all mottled, and the rollers here are…have lots and lots of little scratches in it, and
00:01:25 –> 00:01:30 on these lower end pasta machines like this…this is the clay conditioning machine, I think…this
00:01:30 –> 00:01:35 one’s the Sculpey one, and then there’s an Amaco, they’re pretty much the same…the
00:01:35 –> 00:01:38 ones that you get at the craft store.
00:01:38 –> 00:01:43 They have… on their rollers, they’ve put a chrome…I believe it’s chrome anyways,
00:01:43 –> 00:01:49 coating on it, it’s really, really thin and it scratches really easily, now some of
00:01:49 –> 00:01:54 the scratches…and the scratches tend to be just on your outside edges, and that happens
00:01:54 –> 00:02:00 because you’ve got your roller…pretend this is your roller, and that this is your
00:02:00 –> 00:02:06 scraper, when your scraper is up against your roller, everything is normal and everything
00:02:06 –> 00:02:07 is fine.
00:02:07 –> 00:02:13 But over time, if you start shoving stiff clay through, your scraper will get a little
00:02:13 –> 00:02:19 bit bent, you’ll get some space in between here and… if you can imagine your scrapers
00:02:19 –> 00:02:27 being bent, these edges are gonna scrape harder against the rollers, than it does in the middle,
00:02:27 –> 00:02:33 so you get these scratches that are happening from the scraper scratching the rollers.
00:02:33 –> 00:02:38 Now, the scratches are no big deal if they’re super fine, you barely would see them, but
00:02:38 –> 00:02:44 they tend to oxidize, and so you’re getting, basically a chemical reaction between your
00:02:44 –> 00:02:51 clay, and oxygen and the metal that’s in underneath that chrome layer, and so that’s
00:02:51 –> 00:02:53 what’s actually causing the blackness.
00:02:53 –> 00:02:59 So before, when I thought it was grease, I used to tell people to take a wipe, and use
00:02:59 –> 00:03:05 some rubbing alcohol to wipe it down, but now that I understand that it’s actually
00:03:05 –> 00:03:13 the oxidizing metal…that rubbing alcohol is probably going to be causing even more
00:03:13 –> 00:03:20 wear on that metal layer, so rather than doing that, what I like to do…and it’s just
00:03:20 –> 00:03:26 very simple, is I just like to take that scrap piece of Translucent clay that I’ve been
00:03:26 –> 00:03:31 telling you about, that I use to run through the machine, I just run it through the machine
00:03:31 –> 00:03:36 where those black marks are gonna be, and see I have hardly any left now…
00:03:36 –> 00:03:41 Black marks, because this White one picked it up, right?
00:03:41 –> 00:03:48 So if I make sure to pick up all the Black marks, just on this scrap piece of Translucent,
00:03:48 –> 00:03:55 it’s gonna take a while again before they oxidize enough to bother my other clay when
00:03:55 –> 00:04:01 it goes through, so, now, what else can I tell you?
00:04:01 –> 00:04:08 I’ve a couple of theories on the machines, like a low-end machine will do you quite well,
00:04:08 –> 00:04:17 in fact this machine has serviced my business for 5 years, at least already, so it can make
00:04:17 –> 00:04:22 it through, and I have…you know a lot of people say buy the best machine that you can
00:04:22 –> 00:04:28 afford, buy the best tools…the best anything, and I agree with that as far as the quality
00:04:28 –> 00:04:34 goes, but sometimes, you may never use a tool that much, so I kinda believe that you buy
00:04:34 –> 00:04:40 one low-end tool, and if you use it so much that it breaks, then the next one you buy
00:04:40 –> 00:04:46 is a good one, and then that way, if you just really didn’t use it that much, you hadn’t
00:04:46 –> 00:04:50 invested a lot of money in that one particular tool, and you can afford to get more tools,
00:04:50 –> 00:04:53 ‘cause you know how lots of tools is a good thing.
00:04:53 –> 00:04:59 So anyways, one thing that the higher end machines…now there’s one machine now that’s
00:04:59 –> 00:05:05 recent, it’s called an Atlas 150, but the Wellness series.
00:05:05 –> 00:05:11 Now these… the Wellness series are made…now actually I’ve got it on my computer here…Doug
00:05:11 –> 00:05:21 was gonna take a quick look at it, it is…what’s special about it is that it has anodized aluminum
00:05:21 –> 00:05:28 rollers, and those rollers are guaranteed not to leave any Black streaks or anything
00:05:28 –> 00:05:33 on…well, in their case, it’s supposed to be for food, right…but it should work
00:05:33 –> 00:05:39 for Polymer clay too, I…that is going to be the next machine that I buy, because I
00:05:39 –> 00:05:43 need a better quality machine, might as well get one that’s not gonna cause me streaking,
00:05:43 –> 00:05:46 so that’s what I’ll be getting next.
00:05:46 –> 00:05:52 But you know, if you’re just starting out, a lower machine will do you very well, and
00:05:52 –> 00:05:57 you will be able to get lots of great sheets of Polymer clay.
00:05:57 –> 00:06:03 Just use this Translucent, run it through where those Black streaks are happening, so
00:06:03 –> 00:06:06 that you can avoid getting it on your nice fresh clay.
00:06:06 –> 00:06:10 So I hope that was helpful for you, if it was, let me know.
00:06:10 –> 00:06:16 And if you have any other problems that you need help with, or if you have a product that
00:06:16 –> 00:06:21 you’d like me to demonstrate for you, or any other thing that you’d like to request,
00:06:21 –> 00:06:23 leave that in the comment section below.
00:06:23 –> 00:06:25 We will see you next time and bye for now.
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Resource Links:
- Amazon: Atlas 150 Wellness Series **
- Amazon: Sculpey Clay Conditioning Machine **
- Amazon: Amaco Craft Clay Machine **
- Related Video: Pasta Machine Cleaning Tip #1 Baby Wipes
- Related Video: Pasta Machine Cleaning Tip #2 Scraper Build Up
- Related Video: Using Translucent Clay to Clean Pasta Machine Tip #3
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Hi Cindy, I’m just getting started in polymer clay and I really appreciate your tutorials.
I purchased the Atlas 150 pasta machine after seeing your you tube about it. Out of the box, mine leaves faint ripples in the clay. You don’t notice it so much straight on, but at an angle as the light hits it. The ripples are very uniformly 1/4 inch apart. The handle seems to turn smoothly, but the gears do make a clicking noise as I turn the clay through. I spent time conditioning the clay before running it through and made sure to roll it to less than 2x the thickest setting n the pasta machine before putting it through.
I’ve never used a pasta machine before. Is this normal? It is still better than hand rolling, but if mine is defective, I need to return it asap so they will take it back. Thanks for your help (and the videos)
Elsie Haynes
This is normal Elsie, especially on the thicker settings of machines with a lot of settings. The machines that have less settings don’t need to spread their gears as far apart to get all the sizes, so they don’t jerk as much as they roll.
You can try holding the clay and pulling a little as you roll… that can help. You can also roll one direction then the other, it smooths out the wrinkles a little. The next settings down won’t be as bad so you can just use those and double up your clay if you need it thick. You can give your sheet a tug to pull out the ripples or you can just roll them out with a brayer after if you have to.
Don’t return the machine though… the next one will probably do the same thing. Mine does. It is still the most lovely machine to work with though. Best I’ve ever had!
Thanks Cindy. I am considering sending it off to that company that replaces the plastic tip blade for the metal ones. Basically, just to make the cleaning easier. I’ve only used it for a week, but can already tell that switching between dark and light clays can be an issue (got a little blue in my white). Have you talked with anyone who’s tried it?
Hi Elsie, I have found that a simple wipe with a cleaning wipe keeps this machine super clean. The clay doesn’t seem to sneak in behind the scrapers at all. But if you want to ‘Monafy’ your machine by having Mona Kissel swap out the blades for removable ones, I hear that it is a great thing to do. Just haven’t found it necessary for myself yet.
I appreciate your videos because you do a good job of addressing one topic in a few minutes, clearly and concisely. I also appreciate your sense of humor. Those black streaks happen to me, too, and now I understand what is causing them.
I have a question about how you chose Premo over Fimo. I’ve used both and cannot choose between them. I’d appreciate your guidance. Thanks!?
Thank you so much for your comment Marianne. I really appreciate hearing that from you!
As far as why I chose Premo over Fimo, is basically because of the colors. Premo is based on the artist pigment palette, which makes color mixing predictable and easy for me, since I have experience mixing paints and it translates quite nicely. I also love the strength and consistency of Premo which can be used for any technique that you could possibly want to do in polymer, which is another reason why I have chosen it. Fimo is a great brand though, so if it is more available to you, it is an excellent choice!?
Thanks for this great tip, I was having so much trouble with black streaking.
Calling all the inventors who read this blog. We need a “pasta machine” that has clear acrylic rollers. With “scrapers” more like flexible fins. Probably made from silicon
This machine would be easy to take apart and easy to clean We could see at a glance if any clay was stuck inside
( Who invented the first pasta machine? It seems to me the design hasn’t changed in years.) It was obviously made to make pasta, and does a good job for that purpose.
Now we need a PM especially designed for polymer clay, and could you also make the rollers 10 inches wide please. Also not as expensive as the “Dream Machine” and with a few thicker settings.
Thank you.
Well you never know CINDY, somebody clever could be reading this, go to his/her workshop and come up with just what we need……..cheers xx……..
Hi Elaine, you are right, you never know who is watching…
There was a lot of discussion a long time ago about what everyone’s wishes were for better pasta machine were. Here is a link to the old post about taking apart the machines (can’t do that anymore with most of the machines now) and the problems people were having with them. It has literally been years and people are still have the same issues with these darn machines!
Hi Cindy,
Thanks for tips ,my machine has got those fine scratches ,not getting black streaks yet !!
At least now I know how to prevent them Thanks, very helpful as usual.
Thanks heaps I was having trouble with streaking on my new machine so I’ll give this ago.
Hello,
sorry for my english, I’m french…
I saw your video 510 about pasta machine black streaks.
I would like to know if using another type of polymer clay, instead of transluscent, is OK to “wash” it ?
Thank you for your tutos, they help me a lot.
Catherine PAUL, Polycat.
Hi Catherine, thank you for your kind comment! You can use a light clay like White instead if you want, but if any white clay is left behind on your rollers, it will get into your good clay. I like translucent because it will not contaminate your clay colors. (Hope that translates well.)
Great advice, Cindy.
Hi Cindy
I can’t believe I’m the only one who uses an actual pasta machine, i.e. made for making pasta, it also seems unlikely that the makers would use inferior metal on their rollers since the machine is intended to produce food and any such black lines would make it ‘unfit for purpose’. I’ve been using my PM for over 10 years and never had the streaks you mention – unless I’ve put dark clay through it and forgotten to clean before using a light colour. Then it’s my fault. I bought my PM when the Kitchen Supplies shop had a sale, it cost £10 (approx $16), it has the fins you mention and is easy to take apart and put back together, one of the best investments I’ve made for working with polymer clay.
Marion
I have been lucky as I have never experienced any black streaks in my clay. My original Amaco machine I bought at Joann’s I was able to take the fins off so no problem there. I did use alcohol a lot to clean the scraper blades but it didn’t affect the clay. It is so nice of Cindy to give us links to the different clay machines. The one machine I never see a link to is the Dream Machine. While it is very costly, there is no other machine that matches up to it’s performance, size of clay sheets (10″ wide) and ease of cleaning.
This machine is specifically made for Polymer Clay, not Pasta. The one big drawback besides the price is the people who make it have to have a minimum of 100 orders before they can start production so you could find yourself having to wait up to two years or maybe longer. One other pasta machine I have used is similar to the Atlas 150 which is made by Hamilton Beach. You can find this one in stores that sell Kitchen and baking supplies and it costs around $39.95 I don’t know if it can be taken apart as mine is just used as a spare if I should need one and I have not experienced black streaks with this one either. Cindy pretty much hit the nail on the head. Buy what you can afford first, then depending on your needs go from there. My very first clay machine costs $10 bucks at Joann’s on sale half price and it did the job for me at the time.