These were made....

[Neil Lawton]

.......last year.

Although stable for a few months, they developed a white "flecking" when left on display in a hot environment.
The tubes have now had the finish completely removed, and a different finish applied.
We'll see how it goes!

 

[edlea]

Neil what finish was on them when the flecking occurred ?

 

[chas_41_uk]

Neil what finish was on them when the flecking occurred ?

As Ed asks, it would be interesting to know what finish was used (and possibly avoid it)

 

[Neil Lawton]

These were originally finished in my usual way.
Cellulose sanding sealer, followed by Melamine lacquer, but I have heard of a couple of instances where the same problem has occurred with CA.
I have a wenge pen, which shows the flecking, and I'll post it later.
Mr. Farrer looked at these pens, and has a theory on why this can happen, on certain woods, and I would say he's probably right!
Busy now, but will post later on.

 

[Grump]

While you're busy Neil can I jump in and show this one?
It was my first burr elm and I think first Sierra too, so it has been kept to look back on as most of us do.
It has been in a felt lined box with the others all separated with felt dividers and rarely sees the light of day.
It lives in our spare room which has central heating in winter on a dressing table (shrine to mums and dads sort of).
So has not been abused by anybody at any time, I suppose I check and look 3 or 4 times a year, probably no more than that as I don't get that many first's any more.
It is a ca finish about 6 years old at a guess.
I looked in box today to ensure I have room for the threaded slimline when finished and to my horror saw my prized possession all scored and delaminating or that is what it looks like.
I will dismantle it and buff it to see if that gets rid, or if it is under the finish.
Pic don't show off how bad it really is but I assure you I was so proud of it when done and I ain't now.

 

[bassethound]

Could it be something to do with the CA after a certain time? I use tons of it for different things and not seen it before but worries me a bit!

 

[Grump]

Could it be something to do with the CA after a certain time? I use tons of it for different things and not seen it before but worries me a bit!

Could be, I also use lots of it and rarely have any bother other than sticking parts of myself occasionally and the fumes when I forget to switch the fan on.
It has happened that i have had a bloom on the finish but I usually know why and can correct it before assembly.
I have been looking for the original pictures but can't find them, I thought they were on my website but no.
Some of it looks like scratches or sanding tracks but they aren't, I was more meticulous with my sanding regime then than I am now and there are no ridges where you expect when running a finger nail over them.
It still feels smooth as a babies bum, not that I have felt one of those for many a year.

 

[Grump]

Well ain't I just the lucky one?
That bothered me so much I had to make time to get that on the buffing wheel and see what's what init?
I will put it back in it's bx and keep an eye on it.

 

[paulm]

Wow, I'm pleased you got it back to looking superb again Brian without too much effort. I thought it might be something to do with the oils in the wood. Its good to see that it came back.... Phew! it also had me worried.

We need Neils prognosis.

 

[Grump]

I can only think it is something to do with the curing of the ca, something associated with time and atmosphere, sort of maybe or not init?
The first pic doesn't show it but it was very opaque as though the finish was lifting fromm the wood but no, and it didn't feel like it was surface, very strange.
And it is the only one in the box that has done it, also strange.

 

[silver]

Well recovered Neil.. Look forward to your thoughts on the problems..

Brian,
You got me thinking about the problem I had with the kingwood now.. Going in to the cave now and see if it will, buff out..

 

[Neil Lawton]

As I say, these were finished with Melamine, over Cellulose sealer, but I have heard of it happening with Ca.
Here is the Wenge, so you can see what happened!



The thing all these woods have in common, is the grain has natural crevices, or pores in it.
You can see them in the close ups.





These pens were part of a display for sale, prior to Christmas last year.
They were put in a room that I have never known to fall below 25 Degrees in temperature!
Any pens, in the same woods, that sold in the first couple of days, were, and still are, fine.
After a week, these pens began to show the flecking, and a Laburnum streamline (Heartwood and sapwood mix), turned oval, and split!
Anyway back to the finish problem!

Neil F. suggested (please correct me if I'm wrong), that the finish that was penetrating these pores, was not fully dry, before the next coat was applied, effectively sealing in an uncured product. This then made its break for freedom on introduction to the heat.
I'm sure Mr. Farrer can put it better than me, but it does seem reasonable.

These pens have now been finished in the sample Satin finish, that Walter gave out at the Midlands show.
They will be left in the conservatory to see what happens.

 

[bassethound]

Well ain't I just the lucky one?
That bothered me so much I had to make time to get that on the buffing wheel and see what's what init?
I will put it back in it's bx and keep an eye on it.
View attachment 6515

Well that's made me feel a bit better now,I can still get my CA fix!

 

[Buckeye]

As I say, these were finished with Melamine, over Cellulose sealer, but I have heard of it happening with Ca.
Here is the Wenge, so you can see what happened!

The thing all these woods have in common, is the grain has natural crevices, or pores in it.
You can see them in the close ups.

These pens were part of a display for sale, prior to Christmas last year.
They were put in a room that I have never known to fall below 25 Degrees in temperature!
Any pens, in the same woods, that sold in the first couple of days, were, and still are, fine.
After a week, these pens began to show the flecking, and a Laburnum streamline (Heartwood and sapwood mix), turned oval, and split!
Anyway back to the finish problem!

Neil F. suggested (please correct me if I'm wrong), that the finish that was penetrating these pores, was not fully dry, before the next coat was applied, effectively sealing in an uncured product. This then made its break for freedom on introduction to the heat.
I'm sure Mr. Farrer can put it better than me, but it does seem reasonable.

These pens have now been finished in the sample Satin finish, that Walter gave out at the Midlands show.
They will be left in the conservatory to see what happens.

That all sounds credible and I look forward to seeing the result from your new finish and hope it holds up well. A bad finish is not a real problem if it shows up right away, it's when it happens after the pen has sold, sends shiver down my spine.:pray:

Peter