Dr. Kirk's Micro Magic Polishing Wax 3 Piece Set

[David350]

Has anyone tried Dr. Kirk's Micro Magic Polishing Wax 3 Piece Set yet? It looks like it might save some time and effort over the traditional micromesh pads?

Dr. Kirk's Micro Magic Polishing Wax 3 Piece Set

Dr. Kirk’s Micro Magic is a revolutionary new micro crystalline sanding system developed specifically for creating a flawless surface on turned acrylic, polyester and stabilized woods. Dr. Kirk’s Micro Magic is an easy 3 step system that works its magic in only minutes leaving you with a perfect...

www.woodturnerscatalog.com

 

[TonyL]

Yes. I couldn't replicate the claims. I returned it. HOWEVER, many folks love it.

 

[keithbyrd]

I use it and am happy with it. I sand to 600, use the first two micro mesh, then the Dr Kirks process, followed by Huts Ultra and then Use the Beall buffing wheels

 

[qquake]

I use it and love it.

 

[qquake]

Here are some photos. I wet sand through 600, then use Dr. Kirk's.

 

[DrD]

Good Morning QQuake from Northern California! Love your photos! The wood is exceptional as is the pen. Please help me out with what you are showing. Is the 1st photo after wet sanding with 600 grit? The second after wet sanding with MM1500? The third after wet sanding with MM1800? The 4th after DrKirk's MicroMagic 1? The 5th after DrKirks 2, and the 6th after DrKirks 3?

Again that is a really nice piece of wood!

Thanks,

DrD

 

[qquake]

First, it's not wood, it's acrylic. I don't use Dr. Kirks on wood, and I rarely use MicroMesh anymore. The first photo is after turning, but before sanding. The second is after wet sanding with 400, 500, and 600 grits. The next three are after all three grades of Dr. Kirks, showing different sides of the blank. The last photo is of the finished pen, of course.

 

[DrD]

First, it's not wood, it's acrylic. I don't use Dr. Kirks on wood, and I rarely use MicroMesh anymore. The first photo is after turning, but before sanding. The second is after wet sanding with 400, 500, and 600 grits. The next three are after all three grades of Dr. Kirks, showing different sides of the blank. The last photo is of the finished pen, of course.

Sorry. I mistook the blank for some type of highly figured wood finished with CA. Funny how one's prejudices can filter what one is seeing. So, unlike keithbyrd, you totally forego the use of MicroMesh. Ok, got it, thanks.

 

[qquake]

No, I can't tell a difference between using MicroMesh and using just Dr. Kirk's. At least my old eyes can't see any difference.

 

[BHuij]

I realize I'm digging up a 6-year old thread, but I want to add that after years of wet sanding with micro mesh, I decided to try Dr. Kirk's instead for CA finishes, and I'm absolutely sold on it. Unclear whether it's an in-house product from Craft Supplies USA, but I'm lucky enough to live near their warehouse and storefront, so I picked some up.

After applying several coats of CA (I use medium, personally), I'll flatten the finish with 600 grit paper used wet until there are minimal-to-no low spots, taking care not to sand through to bare wood. This has gotten a lot easier as I've refined my technique for applying the CA glue in the first place so that it goes on relatively flat and even. I do this flattening at a relatively low speed to avoid over-sanding (800 RPM or so).

I think a lot of people do their polishing at a relatively high speed, but I find I get better results if I keep it low and slow throughout. After flattening and wiping the workpiece try with paper towel, I'll hit it with Scratch Free wax (apparently equivalent to ~1500 grit), going both radially and longitudinally for a minute or two, then buff off with clean shop towel. Repeat the same steps at the same speed (abrading both under power and with the lathe off going longitudinally) with the Micro Magic #1, 2, and 3. The finish off with Novus 2, HUT Ultra-Gloss, or whatever plastic polishing/cutting compound you like.

I can't see any scratches in the CA even under magnification, and the final product looks at least as good as with Micro Mesh. I don't know what kind of magic can replicate the ~9 different micro mesh pads in 4 steps, but it works really well. I love that I don't have to mess with water after the flattening is done, I don't have to worry about whether my micro mesh pads are worn out and need replacing (the wax will just... run out, eventually), and the whole process goes a lot more quickly. I rarely turn complicated shapes for pens, but the wax would definitely get into nooks and crannies more easily than micro mesh pads.

I'm sold. And I promise I'm not sponsored by Dr. Kirk's. Just a happy customer.