Another CA finishing question … or two

[Danny Linguini]

I did my second and third pieces using CA to finish, a Slimline pen and pencil pair. I'm following the steps in a video that suggests two thin, two medium, and two more thin coats, then wet micromesh to 12000, then One Step plastic polish. The finish overall is decent - I'm getting the gloss that I want, but two issues persist now. I'm being doubly careful to have bo tool marks from turning, then dry sanding from 160 to 800 grit, being sure that there are no low spots on the bare wood before applying CA.

First, I cannot get a smooth application of the medium CA. It leaves ripples that require a LOT of re-sanding before proceeding to wet sanding. The medium stuff comes out of the bottle very thick - it doesn't even absorb into the paper towel like the thin does, it just comes off in a think blob that is very difficult to spread evenly. To address this on my last pair of blanks, I did 8 coats of thin only, which greatly improved the surface pre-micromesh, but I don't think it's filling in the grain as well as a few coats of medium does. Is there a trick to this, or a particular brand that's better for finishing? I'm wondering if maybe I'm using too cheap a brand of CA (I'm using IXIRPRO from Amazon).

Second, by the time I'm done with sanding, I'm getting a number of micro-cracks (for lack of a better term) that are too small to see until they start collecting white sanding powder. I tried giving them another wipe with DNA before polishing, which cleaned up a lot of them, but not all. I have not seen any of these on pens and other stuff I've finished with EEE and friction polish. My biggest reason for trying CA is my concern about the durability of these, plus not having to wait weeks for the EEE and polish to fully cure.

Overall I'm pleased with the early results, but I really need to resolve these issues so I can start putting out pieces worthy of gifting.

 

[NJturner]

For smoothing, I suggest using craft foam sheets as the applicator, not paper towels. I use small pieces of craft foam, add the CA to the foam, then use that to apply it to the pen body. Lots less ridges. Also, use less CA per application and only swipe the body once or twice at most. If you keep wiping as it is setting up, you will get a lot of roughness. If you are using accelerator, use less. It tends to make the white and cracks. Accelerator comes in different formulas, be sure yours is compatible with your CA.

Lastly, switch to GluBoost vs regular CA. It works WAY better.

Kevin

 

[bugradx2]

Not sure what brand of CA you're using. Some are formulated for gluing and some are formulated for finishing. There are several brands that people use for finish and I honestly don't know what they all are.

I use GluBoost because the guys who taught me to make pens all use GluBoost and that's what I learned with and have stayed with because it's worked well for me. One thing I will highlight is it's extreme adapability to different application methods and uses. I've used it on large turnings and on small ones. Meaning the way I apply it to a large turning like a cigar holder or ornament is different than how I apply it to a pen. I personally know 5 different turners who apply it differently to pens with spectacular results. As @NJturner suggests, it does not require a lot of product when applying either which could the source of your rippling. (it was for me) Their accelerator is guaranteed to not cause white spider cracking or blooming too. CA can sometimes build on the end of a blank and it can cause issues with your assembly. You'll want to have a method to lightly sand the ends of your blanks to make sure you don't have an issue.

I don't know for sure what wood you've used in your pens but it's possible that may have caused your cracks too. I have a gorgeous pen sitting on my desk that's super pretty but it will never leave my house because I found out after the fact that red mallee can crack like crazy.

Lastly, if you don't have a set of the urethane finishing bushings get a set of them. They will help with the finishing process and keep CA off your turning bushings if you use them.