Buffing as a finish

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Hiram33

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Apr 7, 2006
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Plantsville, CT, USA.
Hi I and still sort of new at pen making and most of my pens have been finished with a friction polish, I been thinking of up grading the finish my next step will be to try a CA finish but have been do a lot of reading on buffing. Which will yield a better luster and longer lasting finish

thanks

Peter
 
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Peter,

Use the search function and search for CA, Enduro, and lacquer. Read the posts and discussions on those finishes and then you should be better able to discuss the question. I am not trying to be a pain, it just sounds like you need to learn more about this exciting hobby you have started so that you will not have several different finishes scattered around your shop. I have always called those eyesore, white elephant or sore thumb purchases. They stick out in your shop like a sore thumb, reminding you of money wasted.

Another fantastic site to read and learn from is Russ Fairfield's site. Russ has a great source of knowledge on the site, free for the taking. This is a link to Russ' site: http://www.woodturner-russ.com/
 
I sometimes finish hard, oily woods such as bocote, cocobolo and olive by buffing only - maybe a final light coat of carnuba wax. THis gives a soft shine which I like. I don't have much data on longevity of this treatment, except for my personal cocobolo pen which still looks fairly good after 4 years in my pocket. Anybody else have an observation about this?
ron
 
Depends on what you like... Do you like wood, or plastic with wood underneath. Personally I am pretty much into the plastic covered wood look.

If you like the wood look and don't mind reupping your finish frequently, go ahead with the buffing wheel and wax finish. I tried it and found it to be quick and leaves a nice "sheen". Oily woods like cocobolo seem to polish up better than others. But... if you are wanting that million miles deep shine, the buffing wheel/ wax finish is not for you. I wouldn't give up my 3in1 buff, as if and when I want a natural wood look, that is the way I will be going.

Anyhow, if you want that superslick "wet" look, I don't think you can beat lacquer. If speed is of the essence, try one of the CA finishes.
 
Buffing wheel with tripoli and white diamond wheels really make Corian and the "plastics" shine nicely...DON'T USE THE WHEEL TO POLISH METaL...see my other post.
 
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