Finishing a Desert Ironwood pen

[mick]

I've got a Desert Ironwood Jr. I turned a while back been sitting on my desk several weeks now after the CA finish failed for the second time while pressing the fittings in. I know why it failed that's not what this post is about. Here's what happened. I like to finish without bushings so as to let the finish "roll over" the edge of the blank and seal the ends. However when I pressed the finial in I evidently had a high spot on the end and the finish lifted. Refinished and same thing happened. I set the cap aside figuring I'd get to it at a later date. I was finishing up some pens last night when I noticed the cap laying there and started messing with it. I picked at the bad spot and began literally peeling the finish off. I took my knife and ended up taking almost 2/3 of ther CA off. Seems like the thin CA I use hadn't penetrated at all. I've done a lot of Ironwood and never had this happen before. I see no sense in trying CA again and was wondering if laquer might work better? Or maybe something else. BTW the body of the pen worked perfectly

 

[KenV]

I use shellacas sealer and then lacquer on ironwood with success.

I have good success with CA but do not polish the wood before CA -- 600 grit and then the ca.

My bet is that you are polishing the wood too much.

 

[ctubbs]

I can not speak for the CA, but any paint type finish must have what I was taught to call 'tooth'. That is a surface imperfection that allows the finish to grab hold and hang onto. Some paint contain a bit of acid to do this and others use different means, but they all have some method of getting a hold on the surface. Does CA use this or does it actually penetrate the surface and bond to the material? If the latter,as I suspect, then your problem may be some type of barrier preventing the CA from penetrating the surface. Have you tried scuffing or cleaning the surface? Just a few thoughts way late.
Charles

 

[mick]

I use shellacas sealer and then lacquer on ironwood with success.

I have good success with CA but do not polish the wood before CA -- 600 grit and then the ca.

My bet is that you are polishing the wood too much.

Nope Kev....Just 600 grit just like you. It was a very hard dense piece but that doesn't explain why the body is ok...of course it hasn't been stressed or banged around either. It might lift just like the cap if handled properly...or in this case improperly...lol