Quetion regarding Wipe On Poly (WOP)

[Mark]

Does WOP build up like CA?

I have a Black Walnut that has been giving me problems with a CA finish, due to the humidity in my basement.

I've decided to try the WOP, to see how it works on another Black Walnut blank. Problem being I turned this one a smudge too far. Nothing that most people will notice, but I see it and it bothers me.

So, can I build it up using the WOP as a finish?
Build up would be approx 1/16 max. thickness.

Thanks in advance, Mark

 

[bitshird]

I don't know if you can get a 1/16th build up, with WOP but it does build up, It's a thin viscosity poly and it does tack set in about 45 minutes to an hour, I use it on my tool handles and 4 or 5 coats seems to give a nice depth and sanding with 400 just before the last coat makes for a nice finish, but I honestly don't see getting the kind of build up your looking for.

 

[Mark]

Thanks much Ken. Would building with CA be an option, then finishing with WOP? The low area is just shy of 1/2" long. I could build that up with CA and finish the whole blank in WOP.

Does that sound feasible?

 

[bitshird]

Mark you're talking a .0625 build up even with thick CA it's going to take a lot of time, I would imagine after letting the CA degass for a week or two it would be OK to put WOP on but there's going to be a lot of chemical reaction with that much build up of CA.

 

[Mark]

Well, Maybe best to set the pair aside and use it for segmenting or something down the road.

I don't want to be a chemist. lol

 

[Mark]

I haven't given up on this second blank. I went ahead and turned some IPE, that I received today. THx Curtis! It will do well for replacing the Black Walnut ( I think) if necessary. I've started to build my low area with CA. Once I work it up to an acceptable level, I will sand, MM and polish. We'll see what happens... THanks for the info on the WOP. I will try it out at a later date.

 

[witz1976]

you mentioned problems with humidity in the basement...could try a dehumidifier?

 

[Mark]

Thx Dan. I have one on order from Lowes. Shopping online is great, but I'd rather just go pick it up. They were out.... Normally the humididty is not a problem. The Central Air unit removes the moisture. It needs to be recharged (not freon, but the other gas), but it can't be done until we hit a 70 deg day. lol. Currently scheduled for May 7th. I'll have the dehumidifier next week.

 

[witz1976]

only reason why I mentioned it is because I had the same issue =)

 

[KingBentley]

Well, I'll tell you, I had a rough start on the wipe on poly when I first started using it, but now I don't use anything else. The thing that I learned is that if the blank isn't already stabilized, the poly is just going to soak into the wood. You need to use a sanding sealer first. This maybe common knowledge, but it took me a few lessons to learn!! Also, this may or may not be useful, but you could just wipe on a coat or 2 each day or whenever you think about it while you pursue other projects...just a thought.

 

[Mark]

Cool. Thank you very much for the info. I'll keep the sanding sealer in mind.

Humidity.. It's annoying isn't it? It was never a problem before and probably won't be again, once the central air is fixed.

This hobby is getting expensive. But that's okay. I love it. :biggrin:

 

[TellicoTurning]

Well, I'll tell you, I had a rough start on the wipe on poly when I first started using it, but now I don't use anything else. The thing that I learned is that if the blank isn't already stabilized, the poly is just going to soak into the wood. You need to use a sanding sealer first. This maybe common knowledge, but it took me a few lessons to learn!! Also, this may or may not be useful, but you could just wipe on a coat or 2 each day or whenever you think about it while you pursue other projects...just a thought.

I concur with the sealer... I use the WOP on my pepper mills almost exclusively because of the durability and the handling of the mills... I use a good sanding sealer.. right now I'm using a Minwax sealer, but also have a lacquer sealer that I'm not quite so happy with. Let the sealer cure for a couple of days before you start the WOP.... I generally use 3-6 coats of the WOP over the sealer, letting each coat sit for a day... you can add more more often, but I usually put mine on the last thing before I leave the shop for the night and let it sit overnight until I leave the shop again.

It's pretty thin stuff and would take a lot of coats to do much build up.
All in all, it's my favorite finish.

 

[RussFairfield]

At 1/16" thickness, your only choice is to encapsulate in in Plexiglass, or make another pen. You will not be satified with any conventional finish if it is built up to 1/16" thickness. They will either be rubbery or brittle, and most of them will turn a dark amber color as they age.

There are several messages and maybe a tutorial on using the Plexiglas on this site. You melt the Plexiglass in an solution of Acetone and apply as described.

 

[Mark]

Thank you. I'll look into the Plexi. and I've gone and ordered some sealer.
Always learning something new.

My wife's gone to crack when she see's the CC this month.