I assume that reading a dizzying number of opinions and contradictory "facts" about the "best" way to get an ultra-glossy shine on a CA finished pen is some kind of rite of passage.
Now that I've run that particular gauntlet, I think I'm at the stage where I'm ready to do a bit of experimentation for myself and just come to my own conclusions. Then I can come yell about them on forums as if they are gospel truth, and all other approaches are inferior, right?
Cynicism aside, I've been fairly happy with the following process for my pens for many years:
1. Sand wood or acrylic to ~600 or ~800 grit (dry).
2. Apply CA glue to wood (obviously not needed for acrylic pens)
3. Level CA glue if necessary with ~400 or ~600 grit (wet).
4. Wet sand with micro-mesh from 1500 through 12000.
5. Clean barrel thoroughly, apply plastic polishing compound at low-to-medium speed.
6. Do a final quick hit with Renaissance Wax, really just as a way to help mitigate fingerprints.
I've always used Hut Ultra-Gloss Plastic Polish for step 5, but it seems hard to find these days, for some reason. I may try PSI One-Step as a direct substitute. I've read Meguiar PlastX, 105, and 205 are also excellent, but I can't seem to find them in reasonable quantities for reasonable prices anywhere.
But I have always kind of wondered about buffing. It has the advantage of being done longitudinally, so it would really help remove any leftover radial scratches. I could see a final buff with something like an ultra-fine plastic-glo type compound being a slight improvement in the final finish, after applying the plastic polishing compound on the lathe, but prior to the wax.
My question is - why hasn't anyone made a buffing wheel that fits a normal 7mm pen mandrel? Everyone seems to want to sell me a brand new mandrel specifically sized for their 3-wheel kit, and they want like $80 for this. Prices seem kind crazy for what I'm getting. Does anyone have a buffing wheel they like that fits a 7mm mandrel?
Now that I've run that particular gauntlet, I think I'm at the stage where I'm ready to do a bit of experimentation for myself and just come to my own conclusions. Then I can come yell about them on forums as if they are gospel truth, and all other approaches are inferior, right?
Cynicism aside, I've been fairly happy with the following process for my pens for many years:
1. Sand wood or acrylic to ~600 or ~800 grit (dry).
2. Apply CA glue to wood (obviously not needed for acrylic pens)
3. Level CA glue if necessary with ~400 or ~600 grit (wet).
4. Wet sand with micro-mesh from 1500 through 12000.
5. Clean barrel thoroughly, apply plastic polishing compound at low-to-medium speed.
6. Do a final quick hit with Renaissance Wax, really just as a way to help mitigate fingerprints.
I've always used Hut Ultra-Gloss Plastic Polish for step 5, but it seems hard to find these days, for some reason. I may try PSI One-Step as a direct substitute. I've read Meguiar PlastX, 105, and 205 are also excellent, but I can't seem to find them in reasonable quantities for reasonable prices anywhere.
But I have always kind of wondered about buffing. It has the advantage of being done longitudinally, so it would really help remove any leftover radial scratches. I could see a final buff with something like an ultra-fine plastic-glo type compound being a slight improvement in the final finish, after applying the plastic polishing compound on the lathe, but prior to the wax.
My question is - why hasn't anyone made a buffing wheel that fits a normal 7mm pen mandrel? Everyone seems to want to sell me a brand new mandrel specifically sized for their 3-wheel kit, and they want like $80 for this. Prices seem kind crazy for what I'm getting. Does anyone have a buffing wheel they like that fits a 7mm mandrel?
