Chipped? Peeled? CA

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MatthewZS

Member
Joined
Jul 22, 2010
Messages
482
Location
Georgetown Texas
Every once in a while after getting a CA finish on a piece and while pressing the pen together I get a cloudy spot right at the end of the blank where (I THINK) I dinged the finish or something causing the CA to peel away from the wood just a bit, causing an air bubble under the finish..... at least this is what it LOOKS like has happened. Anyone have any tricks for fixing this without re-doing the whole finish?

Thanks.
 
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I have had that same problem from time to time. As far as I have found, there is no real way to fix it besides avoiding it in the first place. I have buffed a few of those spots out, but it still is not pretty.
 
CA is not flexible. Remember when putting kit parts in the tubes you are stretching out the end of the tubes. Soetimes this does not happen right away and it takes some time to show up. I know of no fix other than redo the finish.
 
This usually happens before I've even pressed any parts in, and it's always from mashing the edge of the blank..... so whatever is really happening that's what it LOOKS like is happening.
 
I too have had that problem and I think it comes from having any jagged edge on the CA. When the parts are pressed flush with the tube they put extra stress in the area that isn't perfectly flush and crack or lift the finish. I have started carefully trimming the CA flush with the end of the tube/blank with a very sharp, thin bladed knife and I haven't had it happen since. I am careful to make the cutting strokes pushing toward the center line of the tube to avoid any outward pulling in the finish.

edit: Matthew, I didn't catch the question at the end of your post... The best way to get a perfect finish is to start again, sorry.

Chris
 
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I've had limited success when this happens by placing a small drop of thin CA on a small parts bag and touching the end of the blank to the drop. Sometimes it wicks up into the void...most times not.:mad:
Since I finish without bushings my CA will roll over the edges of the blank. To fix this I keep a piece of glass on my desk with a piece of 400 grit sand paper fixed to it with spray adhesive. I "dress the ends of the blanks on this before pressing in the fittings.
I can't take credit for this. I believe I got the idea from Lou a few years back.
Most of the time doing this will eliminate the above mentioned problem.
 
There have been many times where a small delamination or air pocket forms at the end of the blank, even before I start to assemble the pen. I think this happens when the blank is removed from the bushings or when you clean up the ends right after removing from the lathe. The stresses in the CA from popping off the bushing or from squaring up the end after finishing can damage the CA at the ends.

I have been able to fix the problem by placing a small amount of thin CA on the end of the blank. If it is a delamination, the thin CA will wick into the void rendering the finish clear again. I have also done this when the finish cracks during assembly.

This has worked well for me, maybe you can get it work for you too.
 
I do sand the end of my blanks, this usually happens if I don't get everything lined up square when pressing things together. I use a drill press to press parts together and once in a while the blank skews over off square while doing so and the edge gets mashed. IT's also happened a time or two as you said, when snapping the blank off the bushings. I'll have to try that wicking trick, sounds like it might get somewhere.

Thanks all! I'll let you know how it goes.
 
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