Happy Accident?

[Sandsini]

This pen started out to be something special that I have been considering for a while. I wanted to do something like a Urushi pen but without the expensive and dangerous lacquers and time consuming techniques. I also wanted to use a western palate of colors. So I turned an ebonite pen, painted it with acrylic paints and applied a very glossy CA finish on it. I was very happy with the results, the pen had a weathered, ancient look complimented by a wonderful shine. I was a happy penturner.

Then when working the cabochons into the pen, I discovered that I had knocked a big flake of finish off of the pen. In fact, I soon found that the finish just peeled off like ancient wallpaper. I was devastated as I had two days in the painting and weathering and glossing of that finish. So I took a deep breath, removed the finish, re-sanded and polished the pen that you see here.

I love how it turned out, but I wonder what I did wrong with the failed finish. Did I use the wrong paint? Did I neglect to prepare the surface properly? If you have any ideas, I would love to hear them, because I'm not giving up on this one.

 

[stuckinohio]

I can't offer any help, but the cabochon is amazing, along with the nib! The cabochon looks like abalone. Is that paint?

 

[Sandsini]

I can't offer any help, but the cabochon is amazing, along with the nib! The cabochon looks like abalone. Is that paint?

Thanks, it's Abalone. The paint is completely gone.

 

[stuckinohio]

It would have been nice to see with the paint on!

BTW, this and your other kitless pens from vintage materials are stunning.

 

[Sandsini]

It would have been nice to see with the paint on!

BTW, this and your other kitless pens from vintage materials are stunning.

Thank you very much! When I can figure out how to make the paint stick, I'll post it here...

BTW, I had success with the same paint and CA finish on wood, so I was surprised when it failed on the Ebonite.

 

[Curly]

If you sanded the Ebonite to a fine degree, the surface may have been too smooth for the paint to key into. What grit did you sand the barrel and cap to?

 

[magpens]

Whatever happened ..... you have one LOVELY pen in this one, Eric !!
You have a fantastic knack to make the simple BEAUTIFUL !!

 

[Sandsini]

If you sanded the Ebonite to a fine degree, the surface may have been too smooth for the paint to key into. What grit did you sand the barrel and cap to?

I sanded to 600 before I painted. I think I may need paint or a base coat that will bite into the ebonite more than the acrylic does.

 

[Sandsini]

Whatever happened ..... you have one LOVELY pen in this one, Eric !!
You have a fantastic knack to make the simple BEAUTIFUL !!

Thank you Mal, that is very kind of you to say.

 

[1080Wayne]

I suggest you do some experimenting on a chunk of ebonite rod , rather than on the finished pen .

 

[Ligget]

That is a beautiful pen Eric, great work!