CA Pen finish - Mixed results
So I've been in a pen turning mode for a while; I'm having some fun with it, creating different designs on some slim line pens. I've been using a few different finishing techniques as well. One is Shellac/Wax called Shellawax Cream. It is super easy to use, just put some on a paper towel and apply while the lathe is spinning. It creates a nice finish, not super glossy and has a good feel. Next I tried a friction polish, which is a lacquer based finish, in a semi-gloss. This is really easy to use as well; just apply to a paper towel and apply to the piece as it's spinning. I like this finish as well, but I think I would like something with a bit more shine so I might try the high-gloss. Lastly, it brings me to the CA finish. I've tried this a couple different way. First, I tried it by simply applying it to the piece and wiping it on quickly, letting it set, apply another coat, etc up to 3-5 coats. Then I let it dry for a while and then wet sand it up to 2000 grit. This actually came out really nice, but was a bit fussy at first. Next, I read about using BLO with CA so I tried that. That is really easy to do, but I don't seem get the nice high-gloss finish that I do with just the CA build up. I'm applying BLO to the paper towel, and then CA over that. For some reason, it doesn't seem to build up as well. I would love some feedback on how others use the CA process; I've watched a couple videos online about it, and read through some articles, but I'm just not "getting it" so far, but I'm going to keep trying.
The pen below was finished with the BLO and CA combination the I outlined above, it is made from Tiger Maple. It came out well, but I would like a bit more gloss finish on it. I'm thinking I should have put a couple more coats on and then wet sand it. I will try that next.
From Pen Making
The pen below was finished with the BLO and CA combination the I outlined above, it is made from Tiger Maple. It came out well, but I would like a bit more gloss finish on it. I'm thinking I should have put a couple more coats on and then wet sand it. I will try that next.
From Pen Making
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| From Pen Making |
Comment
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Comment by Derik VanVleet on November 3, 2009 at 5:25am - Allen, thanks for the feedback. I agree, on some woods the CA looks like plastic and almost makes the pen look fake, or like plastic. On some woods, it doesn't do that so much. I have also found that some woods, like tiger maple, or more finicky about CA than others. Like you, I've been sticking to friction polish and friction lacquer. I don't have the Beall buffing system, but I may have to look into that.
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Comment by Allen Lindsey on November 2, 2009 at 6:33pm - I've done the CA finish, with and without BLO and have found it a bit too brittle for my liking, also the higher gloss the more plastic it looks to me. I fooled around a bit with plugging the tubes after sanding and dipping the blanks in brushing lacquer, which worked reasonably well, but have lately settled on using either a friction polish or Behlen's woodturner's finish then buffing using the Beall system I bought for buffing out other turnings. The trick is finding a way to hold on to the pen barrels when buffing. I slip them on to an old mandrel and use my thumbs to hold them still on the side not touching the buffing wheels. Works well for me, relatively quick and painless and the final wheel with carnuba wax brings up a nice, hard and very durable shine without giving me that plastic look and feel.
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