Emilie Meyer
PanPastels are professional-quality soft pastel colours packed in a compact, cake-like pan format. Their design makes them easily portable, but they can break into pieces if dropped. Luckily, there are several methods to fix broken PanPastels and restore them to their original state. This can be done using affordable equipment, such as isopropyl alcohol, a plastic bag, a spoon, and a tissue. The process involves grinding the broken pastel pieces into a fine powder, mixing it with alcohol to create a paste, spreading it evenly in the pan, and letting it dry for 24 hours. Some artists also recommend using a cheesecloth and a jar to create a smoother surface.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What you need | Rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) with an alcohol content between 70-99.9%, a spoon, a small plastic bag, a piece of tissue, a flat lid, a small container, or a coffee tamper |
| Step 1 | Gather all the broken pieces of pastel into a small plastic bag and grind them into a fine dust using the back of a spoon |
| Step 2 | Transfer the powdered pastel back into the pan |
| Step 3 | Add a few drops of rubbing alcohol and gently mix it with the pastel using the back of a spoon. Add more alcohol as needed to create a thick paste |
| Step 4 | Spread the paste evenly around the pan, pushing it up to the edges. You can use a palette knife or a teaspoon to smooth it over |
| Step 5 | Let the mixture dry for about an hour |
| Step 6 | Flatten the mixture and create a smooth and consistent surface using a tissue and a small lid, jar, or container |
| Step 7 | Let it dry for 24 hours before using |
| Notes | This method may affect the pastel's lightfastness. Using a piece of cheesecloth on the pan of wet pastel can create a prettier surface |
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What You'll Learn
Use isopropyl alcohol to fix broken pan pastels
PanPastels are professional soft pastel colours packed in a compact pan, allowing them to be mixed and applied like paint. Their design makes them easily portable; however, if dropped, the pastel inside may break into separate pieces. Luckily, there is a straightforward way to fix them, returning the pastel into one solid material.
An isopropyl alcohol solution (also known as isopropanol or 'rubbing alcohol') with an alcohol content of 70-99.9% can be used to fix broken pan pastels. A purer solution will give better results as you want to avoid anything with additives or oils. The alcohol soaks into the pastel dust much easier than water and can be mixed with a spoon. When reshaping the alcohol mixture into a stick, it is vital to wear protective gloves as the alcohol is a harmful irritant to the skin.
To fix broken pan pastels, first, remove the broken pieces of PanPastel from the pan and place them into a plastic bag, tapping out any loose dust. You can leave any unbroken pastel that is still stuck to the base of the pan as it will get mixed in later. Take a larger spoon and press the underside of it over the outside of the plastic bag to crush the broken pieces of pastel into a fine dust. Give the bag a light shake and then carefully pour or scoop the dust back into the original pan.
Using a teaspoon, begin to add the isopropyl alcohol to the PanPastel, one spoonful at a time. Mix gently in between each spoonful to get an idea of the consistency. The goal is to create a moist thick paste, and the amount of alcohol you need depends on the amount of pastel you are working with. Add more alcohol as needed, but be careful to avoid turning the mixture into a runny liquid. Once you have added enough alcohol that a thick paste is forming, mix it thoroughly together with the teaspoon until there is no powder left. Spread the paste evenly around the pan, pushing it up to the edges. You could also use a palette knife to smooth this over, although a teaspoon will also work.
After your PanPastel has dried for an hour or so, place a tissue over the top of the pan and use a smooth object to gently press the pastel into the pan. You can use the tamper from an espresso machine, or a jar cover or the bottom of a glass will work too. Carefully remove the tissue and let the PanPastel dry for at least 24 hours before using. The PanPastel is now restored and ready to use again! It may not look quite 'good as new' compared to your unbroken pans, but this technique avoids wastage with minimal effect on the product's usability.
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Crush broken pastel pieces into a fine dust
To fix broken pan pastels, you will need to crush the pastel pieces into a fine dust. This can be done by placing the broken pastel pieces into a plastic bag and using a large spoon to press the underside of it over the outside of the bag. You may also use a pestle and mortar as an alternative. Be cautious as pastel dust can irritate your airways if inhaled. Thus, avoid blowing the dust away and consider wearing a dust mask if you are allergic or sensitive to dust. Once crushed, carefully pour or scoop the pastel dust back into the original pan.
The next step is to add a binding agent to the pastel dust to create a thick paste. You may use either water or isopropyl alcohol (also known as isopropanol or 'rubbing alcohol'). If using water, simply add a few teaspoons and mix to break down any remaining dust and soak larger clumps. If using isopropyl alcohol, add one spoonful at a time and mix gently in between each spoonful to gauge the consistency. Avoid adding too much alcohol as this may turn the mixture into a runny liquid.
Once you have achieved a thick paste, mix it thoroughly until there is no powder left. Spread the paste evenly around the pan, pushing it to the edges. You may use a palette knife or a teaspoon to smooth it over. Allow the pan pastel to dry for about an hour, and then place a tissue over the top of the pan. Gently press the pastel into the pan using a smooth object such as a jar cover or the bottom of a glass. Finally, let the PanPastel dry for at least 24 hours before using it.
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Add alcohol to create a thick paste
PanPastels are professional soft pastel colours packed in a compact pan, allowing them to be mixed and applied like paint. They are easily portable, but if dropped, the pastel inside may break into separate pieces. Luckily, there is a straightforward way to fix them, returning the pastel into one solid material.
To fix broken PanPastels, you will need an isopropyl alcohol solution (also known as isopropanol or rubbing alcohol) with an alcohol content of between 70-99.9%. A purer solution will give better results. Firstly, remove the broken pieces of PanPastel from the pan and place them into a plastic bag, tapping out any loose dust. You can leave any unbroken pastel that is still stuck to the base of the pan, as it will get mixed in later. Next, take a large spoon and press the underside of it over the outside of the plastic bag to crush the broken pieces of pastel into a fine dust. Give the bag a light shake and then carefully pour or scoop the dust back into the original pan.
Now, you can begin to add the alcohol to the PanPastel, one spoonful at a time. Mix gently in between each spoonful to get an idea of the consistency. The goal is to create a moist thick paste, and the amount of alcohol you need depends on the amount of pastel you are working with. Add more alcohol as needed, but be careful to avoid turning the mixture into a runny liquid. Once a thick paste is forming, mix it thoroughly together with the teaspoon until there is no powder left. Spread the paste evenly around the pan, pushing it up to the edges. You could also use a palette knife to smooth this over, although a teaspoon will also work well.
After your PanPastel has dried for an hour or so, place a tissue over the top of the pan and use a smooth object to gently press the pastel into the pan. You can use the tamper from an espresso machine, or a jar cover or the bottom of a glass will also work. Carefully remove the tissue and let the PanPastel dry for at least 24 hours before using. The PanPastel is now restored and ready to use again!
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Flatten the mixture with a tissue
Once you have mixed the pastel and alcohol solution, use a teaspoon or palette knife to spread the paste evenly around the pan, pushing it up to the edges. After an hour, the mixture will be ready to be flattened. Take a tissue and lay it over the top of the pan. Using a smooth, flat object, gently press the pastel into the pan. A coffee tamper, jar cover, or the bottom of a glass can be used for this purpose. Carefully peel the tissue away and leave the pan to dry for at least 24 hours. After this time, your PanPastel will be ready to use again.
The tissue is used to protect the pastel from the chosen flat object, ensuring that the pastel is not disturbed or damaged during the flattening process. The tissue should be carefully removed after the pastel has been flattened, and the pastel should then be left to dry. This method is a quick and easy way to restore a broken PanPastel, although it may not look as good as new. The pastel may be slightly less powdery than the original, but this technique avoids wastage and has a minimal effect on the product's usability.
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Let the pan dry for 24 hours
Once you have completed the necessary steps to fix your PanPastels, it is imperative that you let the pan dry for 24 hours. This drying period is crucial, as it allows the pastel to harden and sets the product. During this time, the pastel will transform from a moist, thick paste into a solid material, ready to be used again.
While waiting for the pan to dry, it is advisable to keep the area well-ventilated. This helps to ensure that the pastel dries evenly and effectively. It is also important to note that the drying time may vary depending on factors such as humidity. In some cases, it may take several hours or even overnight for the pastel to completely dry.
After the 24-hour drying period, your PanPastel will be ready for use. It might not appear completely flawless compared to an unbroken pan, but it will undoubtedly be functional. This technique is an excellent way to avoid waste and minimise the impact on the product's usability.
Additionally, it is worth mentioning that the repaired PanPastel may have a slightly different texture compared to the original. It might feel less powdery, but this does not affect its performance. You can still create beautiful artwork and achieve the desired effects with the restored PanPastel.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need the following materials: an isopropyl alcohol solution (also known as isopropanol or rubbing alcohol) with an alcohol content of 70-99.9% (a purer solution will give better results), a small plastic bag, a large spoon, a teaspoon, a tissue, and a flat lid, small container or coffee tamper. First, remove the broken pieces of PanPastel from the pan and place them into the plastic bag. Use the larger spoon to crush the broken pieces of pastel into a fine dust. Pour or scoop the dust back into the original pan. Using the teaspoon, begin to add the alcohol to the PanPastel, mixing gently in between each spoonful. The goal is to create a moist thick paste. Once a thick paste is forming, mix it thoroughly and spread the paste evenly around the pan. After an hour, place a tissue over the top of the pan and use your smooth object to gently press the pastel into the pan. Carefully remove the tissue and let the PanPastel dry for at least 24 hours before using.
The best type of alcohol to use is isopropyl alcohol (also known as isopropanol or rubbing alcohol) with an alcohol content of 70-99.9%. A purer solution will give better results.
A fixed PanPastel will take around 24 hours to dry.
