For anyone that has not used high quality WB laquer, you will be amazed at how fast it dries whenever you try some. That it why it is a a spraying laquer. It dries faster than any conventional laquer I have used and up until now I have always sprayed it.
So I had to experiment with that pen because I wanted a wipe on finish instead of a spray finish. First I tried wiping a little on the pen with it spinning on the lathe. That didn't work. It dried so fast that it was showing lines all around the pen that made it look like bad sanding lines so I had to let it cure for half an hour and sand it all off and start over.
I finally found that the best way for me to apply it was to dip a soft T-shirt type cloth into the laquer and quickly wipe it across in a "wet" coat while turning the piece over by hand with the wheel on the end of the lathe. As soon as it is on, dont try to smooth it out . That will only make a mess of it. It is self levelling if you put a wet coat on and continue turning the wheel for a few seconds until it doesn't look quite as wet. Then I turn the lathe on and let it spin and air dry for a while while I go about doing something else in my shop. Then the same procedure can be repeated several times at about five minute intervals to get the desired depth of finish.
That pen I showed is right off the lathe the next morning and there is no wax or polish of any kind on it. I have emailed my supplier about some of the high gloss product but he has not got back to me yet. I am also inquiring if I should be using a compatable sanding sealer with it for pens . Up until now I have never used a sealer with WB laquer.The first coat acted as a sealer.
It is not quite as quick as the friction finishes but the depth of finish is beautifull. The picture sure doesn't do it justice and I feel that it will be a lasting finish.
I left it on the lathe overnight because I wasn't going to be doing any more turning but if I wanted to do half a dozen, I would take them off the lathe after about half an hour from the last coat and slip them over a 1/8" dowel or something of that nature and let them cure overnight before assembling. One half hour after the last coat is ample time for easy handling without marking the finish but I think the overnight curing is necessary for more aggressive handling.
W.Y.
