1st time label casting & scratches

[TN_Eric]

Been practicing with Alumilite Water Clear and label casting. I've done a TON of research, watched videos of both Fred Wissen from PtownSubbie
and Exotic Blanks. I used the self adhesive matt finish ink jet printer paper recommended, pressure pot with humidity below 50% and 74 degrees.

My primary issue, and I've never seen them on colored blanks before, are the scratches that are showing up and what looks like separation or water
damage on each of the ends of the turned blank.

Process: Turn round to shape. Sanding with 400, then 600 grit. Then 0000 steel wool. Then WET sanding with micro mesh pads. Then Gluboost "orange" thin, then "blue". Then another very light wet sand with the micro mesh pads.

NOTE: the gray patches on the dog images are not a flaw.

What is going on and what needs to change??

 

[mbroberg]

Here is what works for me. Use Aluminite Clear Slow, not Aluminate Water Clear for your casting. Water Clear is a softer material more prone to scratching.

Do not wet sand. Water can wick into the ends of the blank, into the label and cause the discoloration you are seeing. If you must wet sand seal the ends of the blank with CA before doing so, but I never wet sand at all and have no problems.

Sand progressively, 320, 400, 600. Sand with the lathe running then stop the length and sand lengthwise. Remove any sanding dust from the blank before advancing to the next grit. Make sure all the scratches from the previous grit are gone before advancing to the next grit. Then, dry-sand through the mico-mesh grits using the same procedure that you used while sanding. Steel wool in not necessary. Nor is Glu-Boost. Some people swear by it but in my opinion, Alumilite Clear Slow can shine up just fine without it.