I've really been struggling with my CA coats over the past week. I've been turning for about a month now. I thought I had it down but for some reason I'm struggling again.
The two problems that I have are either sanding through all the CA with the MicroMesh (wet) at the end, or having an uneven coating.
What I do: Sometimes I use Satellite City Medium but mostly Thin, with closed cell foam. I apply it by wiping length wise while turning the lathe slowly by hand. Alternately, I turn the lathe at 250rpm (slowest setting) while I drip a single drop or two above the blank with the closed cell below. Inspect for unevenness. Sand either turning on the lathe, or most recently, by hand running the length of the tube with 600grit until the high spots are gone. Apply 5-7 more coats inspecting and sanding between each one. After the last coat is on, I sand one more time by hand running the length of the tube with 600 grit. Then I go through the Micro Mesh pads wet on the lathe turning at various speeds.
I just can't find the balance between eliminating the high spots by sanding and leaving enough CA on the blank to not wear through with the MM.
One thing I've wondered, I've seen a lot of people on here that apply some coats of thin and some of medium. Some do thin first, some last. I have not given this a try yet. For those of you who use this method, can you speak to the advantages?
Any other suggestions?
And BTW, I'm completely mad at this forum. I went from making a pen in 1 hour to my current speed of around 2.5-3 hours / pen and it's all your fault. TBC, digital calipers, CA, Micromesh etc. But oh what a beauty when I turn out a good one. So I guess, thanks are more in order.