Micromesh

[gsdoby]

I am experimenting with some new(to me) finishes and was wandering about micro mesh. Should you micromesh after applying a lacquer or wipe- on poly. Does anyone else use a wipe-on poly on pens.

 

[Skye]

Someone in the photo section uses poly, looks great. If you look 3 or 4 pages deep you'll come across them.

The lacquer takes a week to cure, so dont use the MM before that.

 

[jeffj13]

I've never used poly on a pen, but generally it does not rub out well, so I'm not sure about using MM with it.

I have used MM with lacquer with good results. Not to contradict Skye, but I have usually waited 3 or 4 days for the lacquer to cure, not a week. maybe I should be waiting longer.

jeff

 

[ctEaglesc]

Originally posted by Skye
<br />Someone in the photo section uses poly, looks great. If you look 3 or 4 pages deep you'll come across them.

The lacquer takes a week to cure, so dont use the MM before that.

You can use MM on Deft after about an hour with a LIGHT touch to even it out.What you are doing is filling small pores and hardening the surface to make it easier to sand.Most of what you spray on will be removed.
This will be based on how thick a coat you use.Ideally you should start out with very light coats.A "mist",I have used aerosol to seal the grain and fill the pores.I switched to a Harbor freight air brush and mix up "seal coat" about 50-50 with lacquer thinner.
If you use a rattle can it is already thinned.
In the beginning you will be sanding down to "bare wood" but the lacquer has penetrated the surface.
With each successive application the finish will get "glossier"
It takes quite a few coats but when you are done you will have a finish that lets you see into the soul of the wood as opposed to say a CA finish that is clear hard and shiny but sits on TOP of the wood.
Until you have done it the difference is beyond description.
For final buffing (Which I seldom do) it is recommended you wait a few days for it to harden.(lacquer)
I have experimented with Gel wipe on polys and they take too long to dry and cure enough for use with MM.
Your mileage may vary.
I suggest you read Russes article in Making a Wooden pen on finishing .It's in the link section on the left hand side of the home page.

 

[loglugger]

This is my own opinion but I think it is where you are at and what the weather is doing. Our summers are dry where some places have high humidity, I have been using ca all summer with great results, now the rain and cooler weather and last night 2 of the ca went bad, sanded them down and put poly on them and it worked pretty well and was wondering if I mm them if they would get better. I guess I will try it after while and let you know, I have never had to mm poly before but I think I will use a lubricant of some kind or maybe just EEE.
Bob

 

[bradh]

There are some articals on the Enduro poly finish and I believe they talk about MM and polish at the end. If I remember correctly, the finish needs to set for a day or two before sanding. Try searching for Enduro or go to the File section in the Yahoo penturners group.
Brad

 

[loglugger]

I ended up using the 5 finest mm dry on the so so ploy finish and it made a big difference. Light touch with the mm.
Bob

I waited 24 hours to let the thin coat of poly dry put on with the lathe runing slow.
Thanks Eagle more typing.

 

[ctEaglesc]

Originally posted by loglugger
<br />I ended up using the 5 finest mm dry on the so so ploy finish and it made a big difference. Light touch with the mm.
Bob

You might want to say how long you waited before using mm on poly.
If too soon the mm will not fare well.