How many coats?

[woodchip]

How many coats is the norm for a ca finish? I tried three coats and mm in between coats. It gives a nice enough finish but not the high gloss finish that i'm looking for even after renwax. If i add 3 or 4 more coats to it will it give it a better shine for the effort or still be the same?

 

[les-smith]

I have done CA a bunch of different ways. Right now I'm doing three coats. Two coats thin applied with paper towel and one thick applied with a thin piece of Delrin. Before the CA is applied I sand up to 800 then apply the CA. I don't sand between layers of CA. After the final layer of CA I start with 400 and sand through 800 and then use Brasso (for a light shine) or Micro mesh follwed by buffing compound (for a highshine). All of that is follwed by either Ren wax or TSW wax.

The third layer of CA in my process is pretty think, but by putting it on with the Delrinstrip it is real smooth.

As I said when I go for the real shine I use buffing compound. When I us the buffing compound I really see the shine come into affect.

I don't know that more layers of CA will give you a better shine. As long as your not sanding through the CA you should be able to get a high gloss shine.

I sand with the lathe on and then across the wood everytime I sand. If your not sanding across the wood you might start doing that. I stop sanding across the wood after I get to about the 3200 micro mesh spot.

 

[jttheclockman]

I am no expert because I just started using CA but I think the sanding between coats may be your problem. You need to find a way to apply it smoothly so you do not need to sand between coats and save alll sanding for the final step and that is after it has time to set up. Too soon and it gets cloudy something like lacquer does. Just an opinion. I know the people who do this alot will step in and correct me.

 

[greenmtnguy]

I do 3 coats of thin CA, sand with 400 grit, apply 3 or 4 coats medium, sand with 400 grit, then maybe 0000 Steel wool and then micro mesh to 3200, and then buff. Sometimes with a nice smooth finish, I will go all the way to 12,000 micro mesh.

 

[davinci27]

I've only been turning pens for a couple of months, but here's what I've found as I've worked through CA. I use just thin, and I put on about 15 coats. I've tried about 15 different ways, thick, medium, mixed. Put on while spinning, put on while still with accelerator, without accelerator. I suggest you experiment and find the method that works best for you. There are videos floating around of various methods.

One of the things that I found as a problem was sanding trough the finish. this will leave you with dull places on the pen. Of course the opposite can be you problem as well if you don't get all of the ridges out during your initial sanding, the final finish doesn't look as deep.

I just tried it all till I found something I could reliably duplicate.

 

[cyborgcnc]

I also do about 10 coats of THIN CA, applied with a towel. I have never sanded through a finish this way, and with buffing after, I can get some VERY high gloss, if desired.

Also, I only sand in between, if the wood is porous (like for example mahogany, zebrawood etc). I do like 3/4 coats of thin CA, let it dry, and then "level" sand with 400. This fills up all the gaps.

I then clean the blank VERY well, making sure there is no dust left on it, and follow with the 10 coats of thin CA. After, it is MM sanding, buffing, waxing etc....depending on the finish and gloss you want...

Has worked well for me....

 

[leehljp]

One thing that I never see mentioned (except by me) is that paper towel applications keep the majority of CA in the PT. If you think that applying CA with PT equals the most of CA ending up as "finish" then you will be greatly disappointed. PT does a great job of smoothing it on but _several_ applications are needed, not just a few, for a build up - especially until you get proficient at the process.

TWO and THREE applications of thin CA do NOT equal a great finish on a consistent basis - Especially when sanded down or off.

People need to consider that the finish of a pen is a step that is 1. just as important and 2. needs just as much time (and more) as the drilling, gluing and shaping. In flatwork (furniture making) I see too many people put in 40 to 60 hours building a fine cabinet and want to spend 2 hours on a finish when they should be putting in at least 10 - 12 hours and sometimes a week or more on the finishing process.

It gives a nice enough finish but not the high gloss finish that i'm looking for even after renwax.

A good and _properly_ done CA finish will shine up with 12000 MM to the point that wax of any kind will not add any more gloss. If you are depending on wax to add the high gloss, you haven't finished it properly. Take the time to add 7 - 10 - 12 coats of CA. Build it up.

Resist the urge to get the job done as fast as possible, but take the time to learn what is needed to get the desired effect that you want. Experiment!

 

[woodchip]

I was thinking it would take more than three or four coats but wanted to make sure my efforts wouldn't be in vain. Thanks for all the info.

 

[george]

I do 2-3 coats of thin, sand with 400 dry, then 3 coats of medium and 3 coats of thick (about 3-4 drops per 1 blank in single coat). Then I can wet dry with 320, 400 and up to 12.000 MM.
But like said above, experiment. Find you own suitable way. I have read every single topic on CA, tried 10 different ways, and finaly end up using my own way. Doe this takes more time than copying some other way, I belive it ends with the best finish. And also you will good, finding your own way. Good luck.

 

[DurocShark]

I've started a new schedule for my CA finish. All using medium.

Two coats applied with a parts baggie. I move the baggie back and forth over the blank until the CA gets tacky then I pull away. Let it cure "half a cig" then second coat. Leave the lathe spinning and walk away for an hour or so. (I've used an accelerator successfully here instead.) Wet sand with 600 grit until all flaws are gone. Two more coats applied the same way, then I wet sand up to 2000 grit paper. I polish with Meguar's Plast-X to get a glassy shine.

I don't use MM. So far it doesn't solve any problems for me.