Pen Ffinish question

4/15/05, 2:31 PM #1

Ron in Drums PA
Guest

Pen Ffinish question

Ron in Drums PA

>I've turned a few slimline and cigar pens recently. I sanded to 2000 wet/dry then applied BLO with a pad. The BLO was used to pop some highly figured maple and I wiped the barrel dry to remove any excess oil. There was some BLO still on the pad that I used to help lubricate the two coats of CA I applied while turning. I buffed and then waxed. They looked gorgeous when I first assembled them.

But after a few days of using them I noticed there are "dull" spots. Is this normal or is my finish inferior?

Re: Pen Ffinish question

4/15/05, 3:10 PM #2

Fred in NC
Guest

Re: Pen Finish question

Fred in NC

>Ron, what kind of wood was it? Do you suposse the BLO bled thru the CA? When you say you used wet/dry, did you use water or BLO as a lubricant?

I don't use BLO/CA for my pens. I sand wood barrels dry, and put a couple coats blond shellac after 400, and then sand 600 to 2000. MinWax PolyCrylic or Krylon Triple Thick Clear Glaze are my usual finishes.

Re: Pen Ffinish question

4/15/05, 3:20 PM #3

Ron in Drums PA
Guest

Re: Pen Finish question

Ron in Drums PA

>Figured tiger maple

Sanded dry with wet/dry sandpaper to 2000

BLO to pop figure then wiped dry

BLO as lube for CA

Fred I can't tell is the BLO bleed though or the CA soaked in. I can't even feel the difference between the shiny areas and the dull areas. But I sure can see them. If I had to make an guess I'd say the CA came off the pen.

Re: Pen Ffinish question

4/15/05, 3:31 PM #4

Fred in NC
Guest

Re: Pen Finish question

Fred in NC

>Ron, my only guess is too much BLO, and the CA had nothing to stick to.

Maybe you can disassemble the pen, and put on a couple more coats of CA.

Re: Pen Ffinish question

4/15/05, 8:30 PM #5

EagleS.C.
Guest

Re: Pen Ffinish question

EagleS.C.

>When this happens I call these "ghosts"

In your explanation, you mentioned 2 coats of CA.

DId you by any chance touch the blank to see if the first coat was dry?

I had one pen with the "ghosts" and it drove me crazy how they got ther.

My wife mentioned they looked liked finger prints.

I got a magnifying glass out and checked them.

Yep My finger prints.

one on each blank.

I must have had some type of residue on my fingers, oil, perspiration whatever.

I "signed" that pen.

I never intended to sell it, but never got around to refinishing it.

It did sell at a crafts show even after I explained it wasn't for sale and why.

The customer wanted it even more when I explained what it was.

Another explantion I have come up with is moisture trapped inside the wood escaping.

( don't try to microwave it to dry it out, DAMHIKT)

I still do an occaisional CA finish but have switched to Mylands 3 step and like it better.

Pen Ffinish question

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