To CA or not to CA

[MaestroAM]

I haven't turned that many acrylic blanks, however I am noticing that some people talk about putting CA polish on their finished acrylic pen.

I've been sanding with micro mesh pads and using One Step Acrylic polish - seems to do a rather nice job.

Do the coats of CA add that much more luster to the finish of an acrylic? Or is there a durability benefit perhaps?

 

[Ambidex]

In a very short word...NO...I've never heard a good reason to ca an acrylic...mm to 12k and finish with whatever polish you like

 

[Dan Masshardt]

It simply baffles me why someone would want to ca over acrylic.

Unless there is damage that needs to be filled in.

Or it's a mixed wood / acrylic.

 

[Jim Burr]

I think your current program is excellent!!

 

[MaestroAM]

Thanks - that's what I thought. I believe I will stay the course!!

 

[kovalcik]

I love my CA finish on wood, but there is no reason to put CA over acrylic. It does not add anything to the look or durability of the finish.

The one reason I can think of would be if you overturned the blank and need to build it back up to the correct size.

 

[WriteON]

The pads and One Step are just right. I'm not a fan of CA regardless. Bad to work with indoors without ventilation. Also had a paper towel catch fire with applying. My mistake but that can get ugly.

 

[MillerTurnings]

I use CA to cover over a decal on acrylic.

 

[BayouPenturner]

Like Jeff I put it on acrylics when applying decals. I had some ca covering a decal on Corian, then when I looked at it about a month later the ca was cracked so use caution.

The fire thing interest me, is this really possible?

 

[WriteON]

Like Jeff I put it on acrylics when applying decals. I had some ca covering a decal on Corian, then when I looked at it about a month later the ca was cracked so use caution.

The fire thing interest me, is this really possible?

I was told to use Blue not White towels. Please research this. The towel ignited in my hand. The heat builds up real fast....

 

[kovalcik]

Did it actually burst into flames or just smoke? I have had smoke before but have never had any get hot enough to ignite.

 

[mikespenturningz]

The smoke when applying CA is a chemical reaction. Those fumes are really nasty..

 

[longbeard]

I use the white paper towels, never had it to do more than smoke just a bit when it starts to dry.



Harry

 

[BSea]

I have used CA to get a better shine on alumilite. It worked, but I think my problem was old mm pads. I now use the beall buffing wheels, so no problem there.

You might be thinking of people using CA with embedded objects like coffee beans. You need CA to seal the embedded objects, and get an even finish to the pen.