Mac
Member
I have noticed ,that some pens ,in the show your pens , look like they are finished with a BLO/CA finish and they say they are a CA finish. Is it my eyesight or do some not know the difference, or do you think, there is a difference?
The BLO lubricates the finish making it easier to smooth and more importantly it accelerates the curing of the CA. A little BLO goes a long way to getting a finish that requires very little sanding because the finish is glassy smooth to start with. The acceleration of the BLO makes the curing very fast so you get two benefits.
The BLO has no affect on the wood because it is applied after the CA has been applied. It technically speaking doesn't touch the wood. It may give a little amber tinting to the blank compared to CA with no BLO but I have not really noticed any great difference. It works with the wood in most cases.
If I were turning a white Holly pen and wanted max whiteness, I might do CA only. But for 99% of projects I prefer CA/BLO.
My $.02
:wink::wink::wink:
Actually that's only true if a person does a CA/BLO finish. I do a BLO/CA finish so my BLO does in fact come in contact with the wood. And as has been stated it is just my personal preference. I too have been able to compare both finishes and see no difference. So why do I use the BLO? Because for me it is an easier finish than just CA.
You can use BLO on the wood to pop the grain or add some color but that really has little or nothing to do with the CA part of the finish. If you use BLO on the wood or any other oil, you must let the oil dry before applying the CA. If you apply the CA over oil that has not fully dried (polymerized), you run the serious risk of developing clouds under the finsh that will wipe out the shine.
The CA/BLO technique uses BLO to chemically interact with the CA... not as a wood finish. You can use it as a wood finish but just understand that this use is quite distinct from the function of BLO in a CA/BLO finish.
I often use Tung oil as a wood finish and then follow (after drying) with CA/BLO.
The BLO has no affect on the wood because it is applied after the CA has been applied. It technically speaking doesn't touch the wood.
:wink::wink::wink:
I have noticed ,that some pens ,in the show your pens , look like they are finished with a BLO/CA finish and they say they are a CA finish. Is it my eyesight or do some not know the difference, or do you think, there is a difference?
You can use BLO on the wood to pop the grain or add some color but that really has little or nothing to do with the CA part of the finish. If you use BLO on the wood or any other oil, you must let the oil dry before applying the CA.
Its just that ,some finishes on this forum look like they have a satin finish and some look real rich and shiny,but all say it is a CA finish.
Maybe we need to know how not to mix the BLO and the CA when we are doing the finish. HANK can you or anybody help.
PS I have seen the video on the BLO/CA finish and mine look that good now. I want the shiny BLO/CA finish.
Also could someone post a picture of a BLO/CA finish pen or let me know where to look to see one.
Its just that ,some finishes on this forum look like they have a satin finish and some look real rich and shiny,but all say it is a CA finish.
I have tried many different ways over the years and found William Youngs method the easiest for me. It is not the only way, just what works for me. I had the most trouble with sanding the finish until he posted his method of no sanding. Since then for the most part I have had good finishes. None perfect because I have never turned a perfect pen yet. He applies BLO then CA in the same spot on the paper towel.