Patchy CA finish - please help

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skiprat

skiprat

Passed Away Mar 22, 2022
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Hi all,
Anyone who has read any of my rants about my finish on wood, knows that I just can't get it right. But I am really trying.

What I have now is a really good finish ( by my standards ) over at least 95% of the wood, but there are dull patches that I can't seem to get rid of. The patches are very distinct, there is no gradual dulling around the edges of the patch. On my latest attempt, I have a Panache with a highly figured chunk of BOW that has just arrived from CSUSA. Can I save it?

Please could one of you guys (and gals) that get a 'cooking oil' finish offer ANY advise?:)
Thanks in advance
 
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Originally posted by Dario
<br />Can you post a pic of the dull patch?
Click to expand...

Here it is... lived there for 6 months... ***yaaawwwnnn****

Oh... you meant on his PEN! [:D]

2007220222331_Untitled.jpg
<br />
 
Hi Dario, if there is one thing worse than my finish, it's my pic taking, [:I]

I don't think my method varies much to the general way I picked up here.
1. Turn and then sand until I happy with it and I can't see any marks. I do sand length ways with 600 grit.
2. With paper towel ( this time ) apply Linseed oil. Quite liberally, perhaps. Lathe on slow
3. With fresh towel, wipe off excess oil. Lathe still on.
4. With same towel underneath, I apply thin CA on top of wood. Also quite liberally I think.
5. Still with same towel, vigourously wipe back and forth to try and smooth out the CA.
6. Remove burning towel from finger.
7. I then sand down a little with 400 or 600 spinning then again with lathe off, length ways.
8. I repeat with CA but no more oil. This time I usually use an old pen bag.
9. I do this normally 4 - 5 times. I then lightly take any dimples or high spots off with 0000 wire wool. Lathe off
10. I then use either the same auto polish that I use on my acrylics or brushing wax. I do this with the lathe on. The surface may get quite warm, but never hot. I use a rag to do the polishing.

Hope you can spot my mistake(s)[:I]
Thanks

I dont know if it makes any differance but the sand paper I use is the black wet and dry emery type?
 
In my experience, thin CA does not build up very well and you may well be sanding through it in spots that you don't see until a little while after you are totally finished (DAMIHKT[;)]). Try using medium or thick (I use thick) for the last 2-3 coats and it will give you a thicker finish so you'll be less likely to sand through. I also don't use BLO, but I've seen where Russ Fairfield uses it after the CA instead of before I guess as a lubricant to get a smoother finish. He also does not sand after he applies his finish.
 
Jason, you are a star!!!!

And I'm an idiot!!!!

You seem to have hit the nail right on the head. I have watched Russ's video at least ten times before and always thought I was using his method. Of course thanks to your reply, I've just watched it again.


Thick instead of thin.
CA THEN oil.

Now if I can just remember that till I get back upstairs to my lathe...

Thanks, I owe you one
 
Originally posted by skiprat
<br />Jason, you are a star!!!!

And I'm an idiot!!!!

You seem to have hit the nail right on the head. I have watched Russ's video at least ten times before and always thought I was using his method. Of course thanks to your reply, I've just watched it again.


Thick instead of thin.
CA THEN oil.

Now if I can just remember that till I get back upstairs to my lathe...

Thanks, I owe you one
Click to expand...

There are several ways to skin the cat eh... I use thin... several coats with sanding and/or steel wool between coats... no BLO ... I use thin because I want the finish to penetrate, and want to be able to level it as I go along, rather than try and level a thick coat...

... but there are several who use either medium or thick CA, or any combination of them...

Keep at it... and keep close track of what you actually did each time so when it does come out good you can have an official "AHA!" moment! [:D]
 
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