What am I doing wrong!?

2742 Views 22 Replies 11 Participants Last post by duncsuss, Jun 13, 2013

Nate Bos

Discussion Starter · Jun 10, 2013

I did some pen turning today and it was all good till I got to the finishing. I did a CA finish, I used medium CA and spray on accelerator. But everytime I try to use the accelerator it all turns white. How can you use acc. without turning it white? am I using the wrong kind? Most people use the aerosol stuff, do you need to?

Thanks guys

1 - 20 of 23 Posts

robert421960

· #2 · Jun 10, 2013

sounds like you are using to much accelerator
i use it but i do know everyone says if you use to much it will turn the ca white and make it crystilize
try using it with a VERY light spritz

Reactions: 1

Dave Paine

· #3 · Jun 10, 2013

I thought only too much accelerator would cause the white, but I attended a demo by Barry Gross back in March and he claimed that if the accelerator container sucked in any moisture, it would cause the CA to turn white. This is why he only uses the aerosol accelerator.

Reactions: 1

snookfish

· #4 · Jun 10, 2013

I was told when I bought the CA finishing kit to use the aerosol. I have only used that and have had great results. Through the process of elimination I would guess that the pump accelerator might be the issue.

When I first started turning pens I used too much accelerator and never saw a whitening of the finish. I agree with the above, a very quick spritz is all it takes.

Reactions: 1

PSDkevin

· #5 · Jun 11, 2013

I have seen this problem and I believe it is too much accelerator. I avoid the pump type because I discovered it doesn't atomize the liquid very well. So even if you use a small spritz sometimes the large droplets are the problem. This is just my theory. Just check the spray coming out. Sometimes a tentative press of the pump makes the thing spit rather than spray. It just takes a super light mist.

Just my observations

Reactions: 1

firehawkmph

· #6 · Jun 11, 2013

Nate,
get yourself a can of brushing lacquer from home depot and wipe it on with a clean white cloth, old tube sock work well. Use a little dab and wipe it on. It will dry in less than a minute. Put 3 or 4 coats on and your done, unless you have a buffer system, then buff it.
Mike Hawkins

Reactions: 2

Nate Bos

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jun 11, 2013

thanks guys, I think your right, the problem is that the pump sprays it on too thick and doesn't atomize it enough.
Firehawk, when you use brushing laquer can you still micromesh it? or do you get a high gloss finish straight off the brush?

Ibangwood

· #8 · Jun 11, 2013

Jesus, ca is the easiest finish ever, all you do is turn your lathe to the slowest setting, 4 coats aerosol spray accelerator, light spray, then slow Speed, and sand at 600 to get rid of scratches and high spots, then micromesh at a high speed, comes out perfect everytome, I have roughy many people the finish with perfect results , glass like with no scratches whatsoever. Why would you do a brush on laquer on a pen.. That takes forever. Follow this and your golden, Also do research, like YouTube, YouTube has EVERYTHING

Reactions: 1

Itchytoe

· #9 · Jun 11, 2013

^ I thought you were the guy who hates pens.

Anyway, Like everyone said, use aerosol and just one quick spritz is all it takes. I usually wait 5 seconds after just to make sure before putting on the next coat.

Hey Firehawkmph does the lacquer hold up to the excessive handling a pen gets? I'm looking for a finish I can wipe on that is glossy and can be put on pens with very fine details that CA won't work for, but is durable enough for a pen.

Ibangwood

· #10 · Jun 11, 2013

Correction, like making pens but not hard to make, bowls are awesome

robert421960

· #11 · Jun 11, 2013

Ibangwood said:
Jesus, ca is the easiest finish ever, all you do is turn your lathe to the slowest setting, 4 coats aerosol spray accelerator, light spray, then slow Speed, and sand at 600 to get rid of scratches and high spots, then micromesh at a high speed, comes out perfect everytome, I have roughy many people the finish with perfect results , glass like with no scratches whatsoever. Why would you do a brush on laquer on a pen.. That takes forever. Follow this and your golden, Also do research, like YouTube, YouTube has EVERYTHING

for starters the op's name is not Jesus :no::no::no::no:
yes now that i have done it numerous times i agree that ca is easy to use
but when i did my first couple it was hard to get it right
even though i watched hours of youtube
we all do it different too

firehawkmph

· #12 · Jun 11, 2013

Itchytoe said:
^ I thought you were the guy who hates pens.

Anyway, Like everyone said, use aerosol and just one quick spritz is all it takes. I usually wait 5 seconds after just to make sure before putting on the next coat.

Hey Firehawkmph does the lacquer hold up to the excessive handling a pen gets? I'm looking for a finish I can wipe on that is glossy and can be put on pens with very fine details that CA won't work for, but is durable enough for a pen.

Itchy,
If you put on 3-4 coats, it should hold up fine. Get the gloss lacquer if you want the high gloss finish. As far as the micromesh, never tried it with lacquer. The other finish that would work well is 'Woodturners Finish' by General finishes. It builds up a nice film and has a nice gloss and should be pretty impervious to wear. Micromesh is the prescribed sanding media. Very simple to use, almost foolproof, and dries in minutes.
Mike Hawkins

Bob Willing

· #13 · Jun 11, 2013

What ever happen to CA and BLO, I have been using this for some time. The only time I use CA and accelerator is to stabilize wood or fill void.

robert421960

· #14 · Jun 11, 2013

Bob Willing said:
What ever happen to CA and BLO, I have been using this for some time. The only time I use CA and accelerator is to stabilize wood or fill void.

so using this process you have to wait for the ca to dry correct?
using the accelerator lets me put all my coats on in a short time

Nate Bos

Discussion Starter · #15 · Jun 11, 2013

Ibangwood said:
Jesus, ca is the easiest finish ever, all you do is turn your lathe to the slowest setting, 4 coats aerosol spray accelerator, light spray, then slow Speed, and sand at 600 to get rid of scratches and high spots, then micromesh at a high speed, comes out perfect everytome, I have roughy many people the finish with perfect results , glass like with no scratches whatsoever. Why would you do a brush on laquer on a pen.. That takes forever. Follow this and your golden, Also do research, like YouTube, YouTube has EVERYTHING

Thanks again, I have done a few pens with a ca finish that turned out perfectly but sometimes the whole thing turned white so I just wanted to find out what I was doing wrong. I think I got it now, Thanks for the help guys!:thumbsup:

Bob Willing

· #16 · Jun 12, 2013 (Edited)

robert421960 said:
so using this process you have to wait for the ca to dry correct?
using the accelerator lets me put all my coats on in a short time

Apply the CA using a viva paper towel move back and forth than apply BLO in the same manner, use a strip of brown paper bag move back and forth which remove excessive BLO do this 3 times in the same manner and if you want a glossy finish using the same polish that you use on acrylics.

I use the paper bag between coats rather than 600 grit sand paper.

Foresta Design

· #17 · Jun 12, 2013

Pen Turners are real wood turners.

Ibangwood said:
Correction, like making pens but not hard to make, bowls are awesome

Fine if it is so easy then I challenge you. Enter this Pen contest and win and I will admit that you have the greatest pen making ability in the world. If it is so easy then it shouldn't be a problem right?
Put up or shut up!
Thank you and good night.

Reactions: 1

Ibangwood

· #18 · Jun 12, 2013

He'll yes I will silly pants, how do I?

Foresta Design

· #19 · Jun 13, 2013

Click the link and watch the video. He tells you how to enter. Put up or shut up is the link. Called a hyperlink.
Sorry to highjack the thread.

robert421960

· #20 · Jun 13, 2013

Ibangwood said:
He'll yes I will silly pants, how do I?

rather than us hijacking this thread i suggest you start a thread and show us how awesome you are at making pens and also how well you do in the put up or shut up challenge
Fair enough?????

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