Basic Finish

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Oahunative

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Joined
Dec 10, 2006
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72
Location
Lexington, SC, USA.
I read so many of the opinions here about the pros / cons of all the different finishing techniques and feel as though I must be missing the boat.

Please see the photo and share your feedback, good or bad.

Here's what I do, please share your opinions.

Turn to approx. diameter
Sand to shape using #150, #220 then #400
Run through the MM from #1500 to #12000

2 coats of Deft Spray lacquer w/ about 15 minutes and a paper towel burnishing between coats.

first coat renaissance wax / buff
second coat renaissance wax / buff

Done

I'm not near the perfectionist that many here are but feel good about the look and durability of my style. It's super fast, no difficult applications to learn, no smell / allergy reactions.

Lay it on me folks ... what am I missing?

Merry Christmas



200612260250_Manzanita%20Pen.jpg
 
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Tim,

If it works for you, that's what counts. It seems to me that there is very little lacquer on the pen and that it definitely does not have enough time to set. Keep us posted on how it lasts.
 
Thanks William for your feedback, since the vast majority of the pens I've made are given as gifts perhaps the complaints have been kept to a minimum. I have seen in person the beauty and depth of a well done CA finish and know full well what I'm doing doesn't compare. But again, no news is good news.
 
Have you got a pic or two of a few pens with this style finish? I'd love to have a look. It's starting to look like I'm going to be forced to find an alternative to CA and would love to get an idea of any other quick finishes that have a chance at surpassing the friction polishes I've tried thus far. If you had a couple pics, I'd be most appreciative :)
 
Tim,

I agree that we need a relatively quick finish for the give away pens. I just gave 10 slimline pens to the staff at my local post office, and did not want to spend a great amount of time on each pen.

I like to have a "good" finish for which time is unimportant for those special, more high-end finish. Enduro is a good candidate for those pens. Unfortunately, since the company re-organized, got bought out, or whatever, it is available only in gallons. If you haven't tried it, you might want to get a trial size from Ernie at beartoothwoods.com. I set up a "drying rack" using a rotisserie motor, and that helps the finish to level rather than sagging as it dries.

Keep experimenting, that is what keeps the site alive!
 
Lacquer is a good finish...and you can surely attain great finish with it just like CA. Just give it time to cure properly.

Friction polish definitely won't compare to it.
 
Ok, here's a little-used, down-n-dirty finish which will definitely outlast the run of the mill friction polishes...a friction polish on steroids. Mix 1 part lacquer thinner, 2 parts lacquer and two parts boiled linseed oil. Apply like a friction polish. and "burn it in". Make sure you use several coats. Let it cure overnight and buff lightly. It's not a CA or lacquer finish, but it's quick and should last a year or two in normal, everyday use. BTW, this is NOT my idea. Since I can't remember who first told me about it, I'm giving Russ Fairfield the credit. [8D]
 
Tim,
I'm not sure why you don't use CA after you run throught the MM; you're right there.
I don't think it's going to take any longer than the time you're spending to lacquer.
Granted I'm a total neophyte -- been doing this almost two weeks -- but it only took
me a few days before I decided to try Fangar's finish. It's sweet, fast, and painless.
[;)]
As a basic finish, I stop after 1-2 layers of CA and topcoat with carnuba.

Cheers,
Gary
 
Hey I see you are from Lexington S.C.!
I don't know how long you have been making pens but let me just say your method is a great way to start a lacquer finish.
Even without any finish a blank that has been sanded the way you describe will have the appearance of a gloss finish even if you put nothing on it.
For a couple of hours.What you have done is brnish/polish the wood but have done little if anything to bring out the beauty of it.
Ren wax though used on a lot of stuff is designed to protect metal.
It is only a wax that can be buffed to a shine, you would be bbetter off using carnauba wax, the hrdest natural wax know to man.
Your method is the initial steps of a lacquer finish.If you reat them them and build your finish coats using MM between coats you will have a finish that looks into the "soul" of the wood rather than a glossy shiny finish on top.
Until you see the difference it cannot be explained.
We are all looking for the "holy Grail" of finishes.
Soem believe the Holy Grail exists, some don't some enjoy just looking, some thnk they have already found it.
I suggest you look at Russ Fairfields site and in particular his articles on finishing.
Once you realize the concept it is easy(not necessarily quick) to put a GREAT finish on a beautiful piece of wood(or in my case pieces of woods)[:D]
 
Good Morning,

Thank you all for the comments:

William, I had picked up some literature on Enduro a couple of years ago, I recall liking it then. I'll do some research and see about getting a 2oz container of it.Thanks for the suggestion.

Dario, I must admit I have questioned the time I have allowed between coats of Lacquer and between the Lacquer and Wax ... I'll read the instructions (don't tell my wife I said that) and find out more about what is recommended. Thanks for the info.

Hey Lou ... I do like the sound of your mixture and have the componets on hand, do we get a glossy a finish as I do by spraying it on?

Gary ... I love the CA finish and have plenty of CA on hand to try again, last time I tried I ended up glueing the blanks to the bushing and the bushing to the mandrel. Perhaps I was a bit generous with the CA. I'm going to look through the tips / techniques portion of this site and probably give CA another try. Everything I've ever read has been good about it, that is ... once applied correctly.
 
Hey Eagle and fellow Carolinian ... I am in fact seeking a better finish, how far I'll go remains to be seen. I'm quite certain that the "Holy Grail" will continue to be just out of reach for a while.

Thanks for your comments, enjoyed reading it.

Email me through my profile please and we call discuss local interests.
 
Tim - If you use high-gloss lacquer you will get a high gloss finish. Note that you can't get the depth of finish with this method, but it's a quick process that gives a good shine and has nice wear characteristics.
 
Originally posted by Oahunative
<br />Hey Eagle and fellow Carolinian ... I am in fact seeking a better finish, how far I'll go remains to be seen. I'm quite certain that the "Holy Grail" will continue to be just out of reach for a while.

Thanks for your comments, enjoyed reading it.

Email me through my profile please and we call discuss local interests.
Click to expand...

You e-mail me, I have no local interests, except for the flea markets.
[:D]
 
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