Enduro sanding sealer

[PMisiaszek]

I really like using Enduro products for finishing my better pens, but I need some advice. When using the step 1 sanding sealer, I usually apply several coats, allowing each to dry. But, what I would expect is that after three or four applications, the grain would be filled. That isn't happening for me. Yesterday I did a cocolobo pen and probably applied 8 coats of the sanding sealer, yet when I finished the process, grain irregularities were still present. Barely so, but I could see them. Today, I'm working on a snakewood pen with many small "holes" in the grain. I've got three coats of sanding sealer on it, but the holes are still there. My procedure is to MM out to 12000, then apply the sanding sealer with a Viva pad, lathe at its slowest speed. I allow blank to dry to the touch before applying the next coat of sanding sealer. Can I expect a complete grain fill with the sanding sealer, and if so, how can I improve my technique?

 

[Tea Clipper]

I "wet sand" with Enduro SS and 240 grit wet/dry sandpaper. The sludge created when sanding fills the holes nicely!

 

[Mikey]

Are you putting enough on? I use the towels, but apply the sealer and top coats with a dropper bottle by laying a line of sealer across the top and then turn the lathe by hand. If I was to do that with the machine on, the stuff would be everywhere. I get a lot better buold up this way.

 

[angboy]

Originally posted by Mikey
<br />Are you putting enough on? I use the towels, but apply the sealer and top coats with a dropper bottle by laying a line of sealer across the top and then turn the lathe by hand. If I was to do that with the machine on, the stuff would be everywhere. I get a lot better buold up this way.

So then do you ever turn the lathe one while you're working with the sanding sealer? Or is it all done with the lathe off?

 

[Blind_Squirrel]

I talked with the people that make Enduro. The SS is just a thinned solution of Enduro. Based on that (i.e. cure time) I decided to use thin CA as my sanding sealer. I can normally get a blank sealed in 3-4 passes.

 

[oldsmokey]

I used to do a lot of work with oak. The grain is open. If I wanted a very smooth finish I used to get a product called grain filler at the paint store. Tea Clippers method should do the trick for pens. If the grain is still open you might pick up some grain filler.
Ellis

 

[Mikey]

Originally posted by angboy
<br />

Originally posted by Mikey
<br />Are you putting enough on? I use the towels, but apply the sealer and top coats with a dropper bottle by laying a line of sealer across the top and then turn the lathe by hand. If I was to do that with the machine on, the stuff would be everywhere. I get a lot better buold up this way.

So then do you ever turn the lathe one while you're working with the sanding sealer? Or is it all done with the lathe off?

I sometimes turn the lathe on when it is almost dry, to get the air moving over the blank. I also have the lathe on when sanding, but all my applications of Enduro, both sealer and gloss coat are done with the lathe off.

Note: I don't have a VS lathe, but if I had one that could do 60 or so RPMs, then maybe I would turn the lathe on. I guess with my method, I apply with a thick bead and as I spin by hand, I spread the Enduro. If I applied with the towel, then the coat would go on much thinner amd I would be using the towel for application instead of using the towel to merely spread the material already applied.