Help with CA finish

[bigbob]

Hi I am new at this turning milarky I have been trying to finish pens in CA I bought some activator but the stuff turns the CA a cloudy milky white is there a special activator that I can buy? I have been looking at u tube and their demo's do not seem to do this. I have tried the CA without activator but although the finish is shinny it does not seem right maybe I am not giving it enough time between coats. To finish on the CA I start with 400 abernet then use the micropads up to 12000 after which I use auto sol for high gloss. I have not used the boiled linseed and CA yet.

 

[Barry]

Hi I use boiled linseed oil then ca and let it dry no activator I do this twice then ca and activator hope this helps

 

[paulm]

The ca goes white because you're putting too much activator on and boiling it Bob. Just a short spray from 18" or so is enough to set it in a few seconds. Thin or super thin ca works best. When you've put all the ca coats on you will need to wet and dry it. I use 600 followed by 1200 and then 2000. Finally I give it a polish with anything such as car polish if you've got some spare in the garage.

This is only one way to do it and when given other options I'm sure you will develop your own.

 

[bigbob]

Thanks Paul and Barry I will try being a little less generous with the activator I am using 4 coats of thin followed by 4 coats of medium I will give this a go tomorrow afternoon if I get a chance.

 

[paulm]

I use a super thin coat first to seal the wood and then as many coats as I can be bothered (up to 10) to put on of thin. I find anything thicker, too thick.

 

[Grump]

Bob. Is it cold or damp, misty / foggy in your environment?

Blooming or synthesis for the testicle minded can be brought on by moisture content of the atmosphere.
There should be no need to use activator in a warm dry environment, ca dries in seconds when it's fresh.
Only impatient people use it cos they wanna see it finished before they start.
BLO does nothing to help so can be disposed of, it's down to technique of application and time of curing to get your finish right.
Practice on some scrap material and get your surroundings right, you'll soon find how to do it.
Avoid old ca and get some nice fresh stuff, hope reading this finds your fault.

 

[stevenw1963]

If all the above fails and you still want a nice shiny finish

go to Halfrauds (or any other car factors) buy a tin of spray lacquer (acrylic) and use that instead.
Much friendlier to you & your health and you don't need as many coats as CA, nor do you need activator or any other gumph!!!

The only thing you do need is patience to let the blooming stuff dry and don't poke it too soon with your finger to see if it has dried yet.

 

[bassethound]

I have never used activator on a pen and not had any prob's so far!

 

[Walter]

There should be no need to use activator in a warm dry environment, ca dries in seconds when it's fresh.
Only impatient people use it cos they wanna see it finished before they start.
BLO does nothing to help so can be disposed of, it's down to technique of application and time of curing to get your finish right.

Best advice I have read yet. Spot on Brian.

 

[Woody]

The best advice is use bloody polish

 

[Walter]

The best advice is use bloody polish

:bored1::bored1::bored1: :wink:

 

[chas_41_uk]

As "nearly" everyone else has said

The best advice is use bloody polish

As soon as I saw the title of the tread, I just knew what Woody was going to say

 

[Penpal]

I only use one coat wait briefly spray with activator finish the pen on occassion have decided to redesign that one coat has to be cut off it sticks like tar to a tomcat mate,no blooming with a fine mist.

Peter.

 

[Buckeye]

Just stick to thin CA and activator from 8-10 inches away you don't need to give a full press on the activator button.

If you look on youtube for timberbits you will see a great video of how to do it, you can develop your own system once you get it right

Peter

 

[Walter]

Whilst I agree that a fine spray of activator will not cause misting, I still cannot see any point using it when the CA dries so quickly by itself. It adds nothing to the process except speed and has the potential to cause blooming if over-applied.

If Bob is having problems with blooming, then ceasing to use one of the potential causes may help him more than just limiting its use.

Just my opinion of course, up to Bob what he thinks is best.

 

[Alanp]

i have read all of the above posts with interest but how do you stop the bushes sticking to the blank

 

[Walter]

Take the blank off the bushes and finish it between centres or between cone bushes. That way there are no bushes to stick to.

 

[PhillH]

If you do finish between centres, be careful not to apply too much tailstock pressure, else you risk deforming the ends or worse cracking the blank.

You can make your own cone bushes from scrap offcuts or some (god forbid) plastic.

 

[Walter]

If you do finish between centres, be careful not to apply too much tailstock pressure, else you risk deforming the ends or worse cracking the blank.

Good point Phil, I forgot to mention that.

 

[paulm]

i have read all of the above posts with interest but how do you stop the bushes sticking to the blank

Turn the ca off the bushes.