The most common issue people look to "fix" with Prismacolor pencils is a broken lead or core, often due to dropping or internal shattering. You can fix broken color cores on Prismacolor pencils by applying gentle heat to slightly melt the wax.
Addressing Broken Cores
Prismacolor Premier pencils have soft, wax-based cores which can sometimes break inside the casing, leading to bits falling out or difficulty sharpening. Applying gentle heat helps to re-melt and fuse the wax binder in the core, stabilizing it within the wood casing.
Method Using Gentle Heat
Based on the provided reference, a practical way to fix broken cores involves using a low oven temperature:
- Preparation: Place the pencils with broken cores onto a cookie sheet.
- Heating: Put the cookie sheet with the pencils into an oven set to a low heat. The reference suggests a low heat for about 20 minutes. It is crucial to watch them during this process to ensure they don't get too warm.
- Cooling: After the heating period, remove the cookie sheet from the oven and let the pencils cool completely.
This process helps the wax binder in the core soften and re-adhere to itself and the wood casing, potentially stabilizing shattered leads and preventing further breakage when sharpening or using the pencil.
Why This Works
Prismacolor cores are primarily made of pigment and a wax binder. When the core breaks, the wax structure is disrupted. Applying gentle heat temporarily melts the wax, allowing the broken pieces to bond back together as the wax cools and solidifies.
Important Considerations:
- Low Heat is Key: Excessive heat can damage the pencil's core composition or even the wood casing. Always use a low temperature and monitor closely.
- Watch Carefully: Different ovens vary in temperature, so constant supervision is necessary to prevent overheating.
- Cool Completely: Do not attempt to use or sharpen the pencils until they have cooled and the wax has fully hardened again.
This method is particularly useful for pencils that seem to break repeatedly when sharpening, indicating internal core damage.
