medium/thick CA

[ahoiberg]

in my never ending journey for the perfect CA finish, i tried using medium over thin after not trying it for a while and had my same, cruddy results.

my question for those of you who use medium or thick CA to finish with is this:

how thick are you applying your coats of the respective viscosities? a few drops, a dime sized dallop?? i always seem to get too thick of coats, but when i try to use less, it doesn't cover the entire blank... and the medium/thick coats never dry as quick as i've been lead to believe they should (which makes me think i'm applying too thick, but again, it doesn't seem like i use that much...)

any ideas??

thanks all.

 

[babyblues]

I apply the glue directly to the blank right out of the tube from the top of the blank starting at one end and working my way to the other. It only takes one pass. I smooth it out with the applicator touching the blank underneath while I'm applying the glue. That way I can incease or decrease the amount of glue and spread it out while I'm applying it. That also eliminates splatter. Of course I never have any problems this way and it turns out perfect every time. [] I've found that thinner coats do dry faster and with less swirls.

 

[Dario]

My style is different and very time consuming and not for everyone. Doesn't work all the time so I have to redo sometimes but the result is worth it IMHO. Check my album for my results.

Honestly, I plan on learning other style (more reliable and simpler) of applying CA finish myself.

I usually turn the wood and after the final cut, seal it with thin CA then sand and MM.

After that I apply thick CA from one end to the other with a papertowel under while running at the slowest speed of my lathe. Wait a few minutes then apply again. After having the CA cure for a while, I hit it with CA accelerator (very sparesely). Let cure and then cut with skew (if needed), sand and MM.

Note:
Make sure you don't leave any air bubbles in between coats. If your 1st coat have ridges, watch that area.
I use a plastic liner under the paper towel.
I usually cut the barrel smaller than needed since my CA finish is really thick.
I apply CA as I go along...basically adding as needed.

Good luck!

 

[LEAP]

I don't know if anyone else does this but I take my time applying the thick CA. after a couple coats of thin to seal everything I sand with 600 then wipe clean before applying a heavy coat of thick. Then walk away for a few minutes and do something else like picking the next kit and blank I want to use. Then go back and give a quick sand with 600 again before adding another heavy coat. Then walk away for a while and do something else before checking this coat. If everything looks good I'll do a little MM or buffing as needed to finish the finish, else I'll sand things smooth and apply a lighter layer of thick CA. Again wait awhile then MM or buff to gloss it up.

 

[gerryr]

I definitely think you're applying too much. I had this same problem when I first started using CA as a finish. I apply it with a folded piece of Viva and the lathe running. I try to apply just enough so that I can see the "wet" look as I move the paper towel from one end to the other. If I apply it correctly, it only takes about a minute for it to dry. I don't sand between coats unless I mess up and the stuff blooms. I apply 2 coats of thin to seal the wood and follow that with 2-3 coats of thick, then I start sanding. It work for me, but your mileage may vary. That said, I don't use CA much anymore. It can be too fussy and just flat won't work on some woods. Soft, spalted or punky woods get a lot of CA, everthing else gets lacquer. The lacquer takes longer, but it's worth it in may opinion.

 

[4reel]

Actually I do exactly what gerryr does. Works well. Recently I did a mule deer antler pen and it was rough after turning there appeared to be a soft spot so I put on a coat of CA and sanded to 12000 MM and then coated with Lacquer. I was very pleased with the results.