Removing Cloudy Areas from CA finishes

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TonyL

TonyL

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I have done this two dozen time and never had this issue. In fact, this was the first time I allowed the CA to cure overnight before any sanding.

Only two small areas are cloudy (and not near the ends.).

I didn't use BLO, it wasn't humid. my CA was fresh, I started with one coat of thin, followed by 10 of medium, I did use accelerator, I did wait at least 2 minutes before apply coats; I did seal the ends first with thin CA twice, I didn't wax any bushing (didn't use bushings).....

Should I remove all of the CA finish and start over or try something else? The pen is for me. I did managed to reduce the size of the cloudy areas with polish, but happy to start over.

Thank you.
 
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For my experience, accelerator (technically using too much of it or not getting a VERY fine mist from the bottle) is the cause of cloudiness almost as much as other moisture issues (humidity, old CA, BLO).

Also from my experience, the only way to be sure to get rid of it is to sand back down to wood (or soak in acetone if that will not affect the wood, it will reduce color in a lot of the nice looking blanks like Amboyna and such...) and start over...
 
That's a tough call, Tony. I don't have a suggestion for you, sorry. I have had the same problem early in my use of CA but not lately. I never did find out the cause of the cloudiness on some of my earlier pens.

I would be interested in hearing how you propose to remove the CA if you go that route. Of course, you run the risk of discoloring the blank, I would think, if you use a liquid to remove the CA.

I am going to follow this thread and hope you are able to reach a satisfactory solution. Keep posting !
 
Thanks folks. I am just going to use a skew to remove it. The funny thing is I really took my time (this time). No big deal...live and learn and share our experiences - fun stuff :-).
 
I have cloudy/spotty CA only a few times. Not sure what caused it. But I d id not have to remove the CA - I sanded back a good bit and put 3-4 new coats on and no problem!
Makes me think I touched the blank with something on my hands or something got on it during the last few coats but I don't know how to verify!
 
used the aerosol stick fast spray from at least 12 inches away...2 short blasts.
 
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When I have had a cloudy CA finish I turned of some of the CA, sanded the rest of it off, wiped the blank down with DNA to get any oil or other who knows what off the blank that may have caused the cloud, then started the finish over again.
 
The cloudy look is due to the CA off-gassing during the curing process. There are a number of things that can cause this, but it's essentially bubbles getting trapped within the hardening CA. The only way to get rid of them on a finished blank is to sand down through the CA until they are gone. 120 Grit Abranet or a sharp skew works well.

Since there are several different reasons that they were caused, there is a corresponding set of ways to prevent them. But, that's another post.

Been there, done that - too many times.
 
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