Pen finish problem

the video i saw had it the other way around without the acetone wipe. you put blo on, rub it in and then put the ca on the same spot on the paper towel. the next coat you put a drop of blo on a clean spot on the towel and a puddle of ca on that spot then put it on the pen with no sanding in between coats unless it isnt smooth. it only shows sanding to 600 grit but i like to go with the micro mesh too before the blo & ca. it brings out the grain better. it was a youtube video. easy to find just search for ca pen finish.

-- Keep Your Stick On The Ice

I like CA/BLO particularly when using a porous wood but my preference, and every pen turner has his or her own preference, is the rub on finish from Craft Supply in Utah.

I’ve never used acetone between coats so I can’t help one way or the other on that, but I did find out that less is more. 1-2 drops as opposed to puddle. When I cut down on the amount of finish per application, either CA/BLO or rub finish, the lustre just stood out. I tend to apply the finish at a slower speed and buff at a high speed.

Also, I put CA and BLO on at the same time. Works for me.

-- No piece is cut too short. It was meant for a smaller project.

hi i am not firmalur with the finish you are talking about but what i do now is less is better than more i think you are trying to build up to much polish on the pens try to do all your sanding before you pot on any finish after sanding get the shaving and hold it to the pen just like sandpaper keep it there with pressure it seams to work for me have been doing it for a long time a old wood turner showed me a long time ago but be careful not to burn the pens try it it works

I am new to the forum but not penmaking…I make all my pens with CA finishes. I highly recommend buffing out with a rubbing polish like auto polishing cream. I use novus2 with greatest success but mylands car polish works good and I have even heard that some are using brasso. I don’t use BLO….I just go straight CA. I have done both and I get more consistent results with just this CA and use lots of coats…About 6. Using accelerator, it takes me about 5 mins start to finish, that includes the MM to 12000. I dont use acetone to clean the blanks, I use DNA. That works best on all woods even oily.

If you have any questions, PM me and I can send some photos if necessary.

Grub

-- Educator by Day, Wood Butcher by Night!!

I don’t use the acetone either. Are you using wood or polyresin blanks?

Also, the paper towel will make the ca cure faster than using a very small cloth.

-- Chip -----------http://www.penmanchip.com-----------------Micah 6:8

I also found this. It is a good tutorial!

-- Chip -----------http://www.penmanchip.com-----------------Micah 6:8

I have loaded a photo of my CA finish on an Amboyna Burl and Thuya burl to my projects if you would like to look at them.

I am also adding a pic of my christmas pen that I made using polyester resin.

Grub

-- Educator by Day, Wood Butcher by Night!!

Thanks for all the help guys. I will have to try some of these suggestions when I get home from Turkey. Grub, How are you using the accelerator? I am really happy with the gloss and depth of finish I am getting if I can get rid of the shiny spots. I think I might try straight CA first.

-- Jimmy, Oklahoma "It's a dog-eat-dog world, and I'm wearing milkbone underwear!"

Finally, got a video on youtube about my finish…http://www.youtube.com/grub32. Let me know if you have any questions.

Grub

-- Educator by Day, Wood Butcher by Night!!

Thanks Grub. I will check it out as soon as I am back in the states. youtube is blocked in Turkey. Lucky LJ is not.

-- Jimmy, Oklahoma "It's a dog-eat-dog world, and I'm wearing milkbone underwear!"

Hey Grub, that video was way cool. Thank you very much for posting it!

-- Chip -----------http://www.penmanchip.com-----------------Micah 6:8