Ripples in CA finish

[babyblues]

So far, this has only happened when finishing burls with CA. It looks great after I apply and buff the finish. It's smooth as glass. But a few days later you can see ripples on the surface. I've refinished a couple of pens that have done this and they just did the same thing again. I tried filling any voids by sanding with CA but same result. It hasn't done it to every burl, but quite a few. Am I expecting too much or am I doing something wrong? Would it help to wait a few days after applying the CA to sand and buff it? That would give it time to finish moving.

 

[Marc Phillips]

My first thought is this... how dry is the wood? .... sounds like wood movement to me...

I have zero experience though... never done a CA finish over a burl, but lots of regular dried blanks with CA and never had any rippling...

 

[fiferb]

Are you viewing it in the same light? Is your buffing station using the same light source as when you see the ripples? You may be viewing in better light later on. Don't know if this is the problem or not but is the first thing that came to my mind.

 

[mrcook4570]

I think Marc nailed it. I have experienced this, particularly with dense, oily burls such as aussie burls and amboyna burl. I now rough turn all of those blanks and let them sit for a few months before I sand and finish them.

 

[babyblues]

Originally posted by mrcook4570
<br />I think Marc nailed it. I have experienced this, particularly with dense, oily burls such as aussie burls and amboyna burl. I now rough turn all of those blanks and let them sit for a few months before I sand and finish them.

I didn't stop to think about the moisture content of the blank. Actually it was a few pieces of york gum burl. I'll give that a try. Patience is a virtue. []

 

[gketell]

I had the same thing happen to a Coolibah burl from Australia. Perfect finish, then all cracked up and lumpy. Refinished it to a new perfect finish. Now slightly lumpy and moderately cracked. It's become my daily carry.

GK

 

[leehljp]

I have had this happen also. I will microwave a blank before using it to make sure it is dry. If it gets hot within a 20 seconds or so, then I know it has moisture in it. This will happen with any finish on wood that has a fair amount of moisture in it.