Hey guys. just tried ca finish on 2 pens, I like it but both pens ended up larger after ca finish and don't fit nicely together. I don't have calipers yet, but turned then down a litlle past the bushing, but the added ca finish was real thick ( 5 coats. How much extra room should a guy allow for this finish. I have calipers on order. Any sugestions would be appreciated. Al
thickness of ca finish???
- Thread starter allongo
- Start date
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RogerGarrett
Member
Five thicknesses seems like a lot. I put on two medium thick - and I use paper towel to put it on evenly - and some quick shots of accelerator from 8 inches away to harden the CA slightly - cutting down on curing time. I don't sand between.
I use clean 400 grit to take all the swirls and lines out, then micromesh all the way down - finally using plastic polish and then Mylands friction polish over that. I always turn to exact size, and I only use the CA buildup if I sanded too far. I don't really allow much room at all - maybe a fingernail thickness?
Best,
Roger Garrett
JimB
Member
It sounds like a lot. I do about 8 coats but am using thin CA so I don't get much build up at all. Are you using thin, medium or thick?
arkie
Member
Everybody does it different. I put on 5-6 coats of thin, sanding lightly with 400 grit after the first 3-4. If that cleans up nicely, 2-3 more then micromesh. On porous woods like walnut, I'll keep adding 2-3 coats and sanding with 400 until it's all filled and level. After mm, a light touch of Ren wax and buff. I like the sheen that gives, and it seems to protect against fingerprints. I still learn something every time I make a pen.
JBCustomPens
Member
Not sure if this will help much, but I made a thread awhile back about CA finishing tips, and it is pretty helpful to most. It is right here: http://www.penturners.org/forum/showthread.php?t=57909
Hope this helps some.
Hope this helps some.
TellicoTurning
Member
I use the medium and haven't noticed too much buildup... I generally will put 5 or 6 coats, wiping very quickly to spread and thin it out.. usually only one drop per application. Then I wet sand from 600 through 12000 and plastic polish...