CA over Lacquer?

[Rmartin]

I think I've finished my last lacquer finish, well, for awhile anyway. I've wanted to switch to CA for some time now, but when can one find the right time to experiment? In my case, the answer is yesterday. I made my first pen with a CA finish last night. Cocobolo, turned out great.

Now for my question;

Can I apply a CA finish on top of pens which I have already sprayed with lacquer? I ask because I don't really want to sand all my wood pens back down to bare wood. Whada ya think?

 

[Firefyter-emt]

No. Use Acetone to strip the lacquer from the wood and start fresh. You should be able to wipe it clean enough to finish right there, but I would run thru a couple of the last grits of MM just to make sure all is well. Acetone will strip the lacquer off so fast you won't know were it went to!

 

[rherrell]

Is there something wrong with the lacquer finish on the pens you want to sand down? If not, leave them alone. Lacquer is a perfectly fine finish for a pen. I wouldn't go to all that trouble, but that's just me.

 

[Rmartin]

Is there something wrong with the lacquer finish on the pens

Yes, on some, but not all. I used to use a poly finish because it's more durable, but the curing process is lenghty, so I switched to lacquer. I haven't been satisfied with lacquer either. It looks great when new, but scratches easily and has a propensity to flake. I also do many pens by order so I need a finish which once applied the pen can be assembled. No waiting for 2 days or a week or a month for a finish to cure.

 

[rherrell]

I hear 'ya on the waiting part. Lacquer was all I used to use but the instant gratification is the main reason I switched to CA.

 

[RussFairfield]

Sorry about the waiting, but even a CA finish is better left for 24 hours until it is fully cured before putting the pen together, and 48 hours is even better. The only finish where there is no wait is either bare wood or turning the pens from acrylic.