CA Finishes in the Cold

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kenlholley

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Apr 15, 2013
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Location
Cape Coral, FL 33914
I have an order for several pens that will end up in Michigan around Christmas time. The pens will be made in South Florida, ( 88 degrees, 80% humidity). I normally use CA to finish my wood pens but I have seen a few threads relating to CA cracking in the cold. I am a little concerned about this.

Is there another type of finish that I can build up to a CA like shine and not worry about cracking in the cold?

I just got some HUT finish from Wood Turnningz and I will try that to see what the finish looks like.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Ken
 
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I think you need to be most concerned about the difference in humidity . A house in Michigan in winter will be a lot drier than Florida is now . I would think you need the wood moisture content at about 6% .
 
kenlholley said:
Is there another type of finish that I can build up to a CA like shine and not worry about cracking in the cold?

Thanks,
Ken
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Finishes I have used on wood that are as glossy as CA-wipe on 2k urethane, dipped spar varnish, dipped spar urethane, dipped polycrylic, dipped polyurethane, wipe on moisture cure urethane.

All of those finishes will flex with the wood as it expands and contracts. The 2k and moisture cure urethane are practically indestructible, uv resistant, dry super fast, are water proof and water clear.

Spar varnish/urethane has an amber tint, is uv resistant and if thinned with turpentine has a odor that I find attractive (woodsy):wink:

Polycrylic has a quick dry time, is water clear, easy to apply and cleans up with water but in my experience it's the least resistant to common chemicals like alcohol and petroleum products.

Polyurethane has a amber tint, dries quick and is so easy to apply even a caveman could do it:smile:
 
kenlholley said:
Where do you get the 2k urethane? Any particular brand?
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2k or 2 part urethane is widely available at automative, paint and marine stores. Two brands that I've used for brush on applications are Interlux and Southern Polyurethanes. Interlux I buy at the local West Marine and SP is available online.

Would be interested to know where to get it. I was under impression that it should be 2 component(one of this should be hardener) and as soon as you mix you need to use it... or there is aerosol version which could be used on small surfaces
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All 2 part urethanes you need to mix then use right away. Fortunately there is plenty of "pot life" so time isn't really an issue for pens

Also, after it is applied is it finished like CA? Sanded and polished?
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You can polish it like CA. Buffing wheels with good technique makes this stuff shine. 2 part urethane is what's used for the clear coat on cars so if your familiar with auto finishing and it's sanding, buffing and polishing you'll be fine. It's no different.

A couple of things to keep in mind with 2 part urethane is the stuff should be applied outside where there is good ventilation. If you have a respirator you might want to wear it but if your outside and brushing it on you won't have anything to worry about. We're not spraying cars in an enclosed area or finishing the woodwork on a yacht so exposure to the fumes will be minimal. They're pens.

For me there was a small learning curve to working with 2 part urethane. It dries fast so it won't self level like epoxy but it does self level some. So it's important not to mess around with it. Load up a foam applicator with a good amount of urethane and brush it on. As always, practice on a few pieces of junk wood first until your comfortable with the application process.
 
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