Need some help please

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65GTMustang

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Mar 3, 2010
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Taylors, South Carolina
I recently put this pen together using one of tonis blanks.
It does have a CA finish. The flowers have blurred since I finished the pen. My thought is that I did not allow the CA to out gas long enough before packing it up in the zip lock bag to pack and ship.
What are some thoughts as to why the clay would have blurred like this.
Thanks for your suggestions.
Kevin
 

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I've never experienced this issue with Toni's blanks, are you absolutely positive that these are her work? If so, then my next question would be, is it possible that you sanded/turned(whichever is the case)the blank too far?

In dealing with any pen that I have applied a CA finish to, once it is complete i have never had this happen. I wonder if it was the type of CA you used. I use the E-Z Brand(Monty used to sell it) and the stuff from hobby lobby as well.
 
Did you wet sand right after applying your CA finish ? If you didn't let the CA cure long enough moisture could have found a way to creep in somehow and fog up the blank.
 
Thanks for the ideas all. But I only sanded the barrel lightly to even the surface out. I use the E Z brand of glue like monty sold. I can tell if something got underneath because I don't have the pen in my possession. Only the red flowers have this appearance all the other smaller flyers
Flowers are fine. I'm starting to think I simply don't remember the original appearance of the red flowers. I have a terrible memory.... I looked at an original picture of the pen right after it was turned. It is pictured with this group of pens located towards the middle. After taking a closer I think the red flowers might have been this way the whole time. Thank you for your help and suggestions.
 
Several things here.

First I am almost certain is not made by Toni but for the problem mentioned that is irrelevant and need not be the focus of the thread. I would rather try to focus on what can be done here and help fix the problems rather than point fingers and play the blame game.

CA can cloud, it can crack it can turn fuzzy and other nasty things to. Since thin coatings that are needed for these blanks things like residue and non-polished surfaces can do that same thing.

The best plan of attack is to disassemble it, remove the finish and apply a new finish. Then wait a day or 3 before reassembly.

As for memory goes this is one of the key reasons to take photo's of the items before hand :) that will give you a reference point to work with. :)
 
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edstreet said:
Several things here.

First I am almost certain is not made by Toni but for the problem mentioned that is irrelevant and need not be the focus of the thread. I would rather try to focus on what can be done here and help fix the problems rather than point fingers and play the blame game.

CA can cloud, it can crack it can turn fuzzy and other nasty things to. Since thin coatings that are needed for these blanks things like residue and non-polished surfaces can do that same thing.

The best plan of attack is to disassemble it, remove the finish and apply a new finish. Then wait a day or 3 before reassembly.

As for memory goes this is one of the key reasons to take photo's of the items before hand :) that will give you a reference point to work with. :)
Click to expand...


I'm still not convinced that its a CA issue. If it were, then the issues would not be restricted to certain colors on the blank. It is my opinion that removing the finish and re-applying will only make the blank worse.
 
Good point there Seamus,

I should have ask, first, if there was anything that barred disassembly of the pen. If there were then it would be cheaper to buy a new blank and start fresh. Have to weigh in the cost but generally the more $ the pen is the higher % of repairs.

I have seen, recently in fact, cloudy fuzzy CA finishes over polymer clay pens. The polish itself on the CA was not that good.

Restricting to certain colors could also mean some reaction with something in that specific cane.
 
FIRST PLEASE LET ME RETRACT THAT THIS IS A TONI PC BLANK
I am not 100% sure that it is and don't want anyone to think badly of Toni's work.
I turned this pen for an individual that supplied the blank and pen kit and was told it was a Toni Blank.
After further discussion with Seamus earlier today and researching other PC blanks sold it looks like it could be from a different PC blank maker.

TONI - PLEASE accept my Apology if I offended you or your work in any way.
That was not my intention at all. I have always thought very highly of your work.

I simply wanted to find out what could have happened to this blank.
As I said after thinking about it more and speaking with Seamus on the phone I personally feel that the blank is from a different maker and may or may not have had an issue to start with. I am not 100% convinced that CA had any affect on this blank. I don't have a before and after picture so I cannot say for certain and I have a horrible memory due to medical issues.
So the bottom line is - I DONT KNOW.....LOL

Thank you to everyone that offered suggestions and help - I greatly appreciate it
 
ATTENTION ALL
An original picture of the PC blank was found and I want to make it perfectly clear that IT WAS NOT A BLANK THAT TONI MADE.
I have made my apologies to Toni
I am sorry to all on IAP to have mentioned anyone in particular to imply there was a faulty product I had issues with. I was simply going on information from a picture asking about the appearance of the clay blurring and how that could have happened.
After the help of a couple of other IAP members the whole issue / mystery has actually been resolved.
I hope there are not bad feelings for implications made.
Thank you
Kevin
 
I can tell you for certain that the CA did not have a negative effect on the red flowers. The photo of the "unfinished" blank shows all the flowers look the same as on your finished pen--which is pretty much how PC works. The red flowers are an impressionist poppy-sort-of-thing, and they finished as they started.
DSC_0005.JPG


I'm sorry the blank didn't turn out the way you thought it would. However, because we believe in excellent customer service and because I want everyone to be happy with the blanks I create, we have already offered to replace this blank. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns. I would be happy to help clear things up. :smile:
 
Kathy
Thank you for posting this.
I am so relieved that I can let the individual that had the pen made know that it is as it should be.
For almost 24 hours I have been trying to figure out how CA could have caused such an issue. I had some thoughts that the blank looked just as it was finished but did not have any before pictures to refer to.
I will be in touch with the individual and relay your posting.
Thank you
 
To date the only issue related to CA that I have seen has been more of a hazing due to things like contamination and finish. A satin finish type vs a brilliant shiny finish for example, a weak micro mesh finish can yield a satin non-glare finish of a type. These do degrade the visuals in the tube.

I also have heard (need some caster to step in and confirm this please) that some colors can cause problems/reactions while casting as well but that is not quite the case here.

CA does often have the opposite effects, it will remove things from the tube you may want to see, dips, seams and the like for example.
 
Looking at the finished pen it looks as if there is a haze over the entire pen. The translucent clay in the blank makes it look more dramatic in some areas. This leads me to think the issue was with the CA or the application of. In my experience clay has never reacted or blurred in reaction to CA being applied. It seems like it was a bigger deal to figure who's it was than to figure out how to fix it. If it were mine I would remove the finish and start again (what do you have to lose). Be careful removing it though as you don't want to sand or turn through the design.
 
I have to say that amongst all of the criticizing and what if's, I don't think that anything is wrong with the blank. The finished pen looks just like the blank before it was turned. I have turned SEVERAL of Kathy's pc blanks and haven't had any problems. And obviously the customer liked it or they wouldn't have picked it. I think this entire thread was ridiculous. Toni makes very nice pc blanks, although I've never turned one. I will say that she's not the only one.
 
65GTMustang said:
ATTENTION ALL
An original picture of the PC blank was found and I want to make it perfectly clear that IT WAS NOT A BLANK THAT TONI MADE.
I have made my apologies to Toni
I am sorry to all on IAP to have mentioned anyone in particular to imply there was a faulty product I had issues with. I was simply going on information from a picture asking about the appearance of the clay blurring and how that could have happened.
After the help of a couple of other IAP members the whole issue / mystery has actually been resolved.
I hope there are not bad feelings for implications made.
Thank you
Kevin
Click to expand...

It could be intentional, it could be contamination, it could also be problems with the clay or techniques used. It could also be a good amount of other things as well.

Also if we look closely one of the poly clay master has this to say on the subject.
creativewriting said:
The translucent clay in the blank makes it look more dramatic in some areas.
Click to expand...
The point here is artistic value needs to be addressed and look for the design layout that was intended.

JH Customs said:
I have to say that amongst all of the criticizing and what if's, I don't think that anything is wrong with the blank. The finished pen looks just like the blank before it was turned. I have turned SEVERAL of Kathy's pc blanks and haven't had any problems. And obviously the customer liked it or they wouldn't have picked it. I think this entire thread was ridiculous. Toni makes very nice pc blanks, although I've never turned one. I will say that she's not the only one.
Click to expand...


As I said from the start it does not matter the 'who' but what *DOES* matter is the 'how to fix it'.

Also what does not matter is how many or who else.


creativewriting said:
Looking at the finished pen it looks as if there is a haze over the entire pen. The translucent clay in the blank makes it look more dramatic in some areas. This leads me to think the issue was with the CA or the application of. In my experience clay has never reacted or blurred in reaction to CA being applied. It seems like it was a bigger deal to figure who's it was than to figure out how to fix it. If it were mine I would remove the finish and start again (what do you have to lose). Be careful removing it though as you don't want to sand or turn through the design.
Click to expand...

This haze is what I first picked up on. However I would like to go on record to say that there may not be a haze. It may be a projection from the camera due to light levels, shadows and various other aspects like noise, distortion and the like. This is one of the key reason I do before/after shots as you will be unable to clearly see changes that does happen. I have seen a good number of haze problems happen and it's not that hard to correct that problem.
 
I suppose I should be flattered that turners who have worked extensively with Toni's blanks could mistake mine for her work... especially this particular blank, which is very different than any of Toni's designs I have seen to date. Somehow, the repetitive apologies to Toni in this thread leave me feeling less flattered.
 
Lashaby said:
I suppose I should be flattered that turners who have worked extensively with Toni's blanks could mistake mine for her work... especially this particular blank, which is very different than any of Toni's designs I have seen to date. Somehow, the repetitive apologies to Toni in this thread leave me feeling less flattered.
Click to expand...



Having seen your blanks come up the 'scale' in the last few months, please don't get discouraged. Those skulls you did recently has caused quite a 'stir' in the crowds here...and in part caused me to invest in a large quantity of clay for the 'one-that-must-be-obeyed' to start her newest obsession.


Do you know what caused the 'shading' or 'shadows' yet?






Scott (I'd carry your blanks) B
 
I'm sure your wife will do great, and I look forward to seeing her work on IAP. If she has Pinterest, I'd be glad to share the tutorials and tips I've found online. PM me her Pinterest info...

SDB777 said:
Having seen your blanks come up the 'scale' in the last few months, please don't get discouraged. Those skulls you did recently has caused quite a 'stir' in the crowds here...and in part caused me to invest in a large quantity of clay for the 'one-that-must-be-obeyed' to start her newest obsession.


Do you know what caused the 'shading' or 'shadows' yet?






Scott (I'd carry your blanks) B
Click to expand...
 
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