appling CA

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jd99

jd99

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Joined
Dec 14, 2010
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Ontario, CA United States
What do you use to apply CA?

I was using the blue paper shop towels and it was working fine, until the last time I went to lowes, they changed their vendor to different blue shop towels.

The new ones have some kind of chemical in them that must act as an accelerator I applied my first coat with the new towel same as I always have and notice that I'm getting tracks, and as soon as I apply the CA and take the paper towel away, the towel starts getting hot; so hot I have to drop it, and it starts smoking......:eek:

had a hell of a time this after noon trying to apply finish to my pens..

I want my old blue towels back :frown:, So I guess I gotta find a new applicator.

What is everyone else using, if you can tell me the brand name.
 
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You are gonna hear a ton of answers. I think the last poll that was taken was Bounty was number one when it comes to who uses what to apply CA. For the most part you are really talking about personal preference.

Some also use plastic baggies.
 
To apply CA...+++

Danny, I use socks. First, the sock has a hole in it-what do you do now? Use a paper cutter or good sizzors and cut the socks into two inch strips cross-ways. A sock is not very thick so some times I put a 1/4 inch strip of some foam insulator inside the sock then my finger is sure not to get hot or worse, burned during the CA and other rubbing applications. Most socks are more coarse at the top and finer near the foot area. I was using a short strip of toilet paper rolled up. That works good but I like the socks better. I use one for CA applications, one sock strip for only EEE cream, a seperate sock strip for french rubbing polish, and keep that with the small applicator bottle 2 inches tall. I use another for wax removal..... Works very good for me....
 

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I also previously used the blue shop towels from Lowes but when I ran out I started sneaking the paper napkins from the kitchen. They work just fine and my wife has not found out yet. By the way any paper towel or napkin has smoked on me. I just try to get the coat on before it starts.
 
I use brawney select a size towels. That way I only have to tear it in half and not cut it into quaretes to get the right size. Once I tear it in half I fold it to about 1/2" wide and it is about 4" long and I can get 7-8 coats w/ the one piece.
 
Bounty guy here. No problems yet, unless I am talking with someone while I am finishing and go too slow. I know I have gone to slow when the towel is ripped from my hand and goes whupwhupwhup as it spins around the lathe.
 
It don't matter what you use as long as they don't smoke when you put a few drops of ca on them.

Lin.
 
Kroger brand white towels that tear off in 1/2 sheets. I cut them them up into 1" wide strips, fold in thirds, and use a piece of fiber board for a firm backing. One strip gets 3-4 coats of thin, then another applies 3-5 medium. Once it dries a couple hours to overnight I sand, MM & finish.
 
I use toilet paper. Roll off about 5 sheets then fold into a 2x2 applicator. I apply 1-2 drops of CA to the pen and spread out with the TP. I get about 10 passes on an applicator. I also use TP to apply my BLO.

I do have to be careful not to get more they 2 drops in the pen. If I do, it soaks through and burns:eek:. I have gotten fairly good and know when it is about burn and pulling the pad off my finger. Have only had 2 blisters :frown:
 
Kimberly-Clark makes shop towels in a box that work well, they are white or blue. I only use the white for CA cutting them into strips and using each corner to apply CA and then trimming that of to expose fresh corners. I use the blue for wiping off the wet sanding and like rags in the rest of the shop.
 
Look this up on you tube. Russ says dress makers batting will not react to CA.

"Russ Fairfield's Pen Finishing, 1 of 5 - Sanding with CA Glue"
 
Foam Sheets instead of Paper Towels

Hi All:

I have been using foam sheets from Michaels to apply CA. I cut the sheets into strips.

They do not soak up the CA like the paper towels do and work great for me.

Here is a link to the Michaels web site where they have them

Creatology

They are called Creatology™ Foam Sheets

Take care and have a wonderful Spring.

Don
 
My favorite is the brown 'Taco Bell' napkins. Flatten out unfolded, refold into 1" wide strips. Use the whole napkin for the strip and wear gloves. I use blue Nytril gloves from HF on sale. No smoke, do not overheat, and give a good smooth finish with thin and medium CA. Works for me, YMMV as always.
Charles
 
ctubbs said:
My favorite is the brown 'Taco Bell' napkins. Flatten out unfolded, refold into 1" wide strips. Use the whole napkin for the strip and wear gloves. I use blue Nytril gloves from HF on sale. No smoke, do not overheat, and give a good smooth finish with thin and medium CA. Works for me, YMMV as always.
Charles
Click to expand...

And they are FREE (kind of).
 
Just read this...

DonWood said:
Hi All:

I have been using foam sheets from Michaels to apply CA. I cut the sheets into strips.

They do not soak up the CA like the paper towels do and work great for me.

Here is a link to the Michaels web site where they have them

Creatology

They are called Creatology™ Foam Sheets

Take care and have a wonderful Spring.

Don
Click to expand...
 
I would second the thoughts on the craft foam. I bought a package of the sheets at the Dollar Tree and when cut up it provides plenty of applicators. I tried the paper towels, but get a much more even finish with the foam. The more even finish allows for less sanding. For a dollar you should give it a try, I know I'm not going back to paper towels.

Jim
 
I use Blue Shop towels from Costco, buy them in 10 roll packs.
As someone said earlier "as long as the applicator doesn't smoke when you apply Ca to it" you should be OK.
 
I don't feel like reading 4 pages worth of ideas as I've seen them all in the past. However if I could throw out a suggestion that would allow you to continue exactly as if you were still using your old trusted blue shop towels.

The white and red pull box of "shop rags" by Sellars that Lowe's sells behave exactly the same (if not better) than the old blue Scott's shop towels.

FWIW.
 
NITRILE INDUSTRIAL GLOVES! Buy a box of gloves, cut the finger off the glove, slide the finger condom on and ues it to smooth a thin bead of glue on your pen blank.
Most be NITRILE, CA glue will melt latex! The nitrile does not soak up the glue like the paper towel and you can smooth the glue better with the glove. Doesn't leave fussies either or lint. Plus it stays on your finger unlike the plastic baggies.
 
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