Best CA Application Video

[Kidbee]

I have had minimal experience in applying CA as a finishing application and was wondering whose YouTube Video would be best to watch. I know the pen makers use this process and Guilio Marcalongo uses it for some of his turnings.

[Gabriel]

I started using it with help from David Lim's (timberbits)...YouTube video
Basically worked right off the bat for me and I've only modified it slightly over the years to get a great finish.....I've only tried on pens though

[woodPixel]

+1 on Mr Lim.

I was taught the same method that David Lim uses here:

http://www.timberbits.com/pen-making/how-i-make-my-pens/
http://www.timberbits.com/how-i-apply-20-thin-coats-of-ca-as-a-finish (http://www.timberbits.com/pen-making/how-i-make-my-pens/http://www.timberbits.com/how-i-apply-20-thin-coats-of-ca-as-a-finishhttp://www.timberbits.com/final-buff-before-the-assembly-processIve)
Final buff before the assembly process. (http://www.timberbits.com/final-buff-before-the-assembly-process)

I've been doing this for years and it is dead easy.

[Kidbee]

Car polish for the final finish, is that common? Does it produce a better finish than say the large stable of Ubeaut’s finishes?

[Gabriel]

I use a resin polish.....got it at Supercheap....ummm....
Auto glym or something.....can't actually remember....

Yeah, it does work bloody well....like glass!!

[woodPixel]

Meguiars SwirlX (what I use), Wet Look, Ultra Polish or Ultimate Compound will do the job beautifully. Just buy whatever they have that is the cheapest at a car store. A small bottle will last forever.

On a cars paint there is a difference, but for pens they will all do the very same job.

Use Kleenex VIVA paper towels as the Ultra Weave. These will not smoke with the CA and they hold the polish exceptionally well.

I found an old post detailing my process: https://www.woodworkforums.com/f69/ca-glue-finish-pens-216335-post2041974#post2041974

Take from it what you will :)

[Kidbee]

The Timberbits Video used Brasso as well. I do the MSDS for the High School where I work. Brasso was up there with the worst. Combine that with the MSDS for CA and you are playing with quite a toxic mixture.

Woodpixel, have you had any side effects yet?

[woodPixel]

No side effects!


I dont use Brasso at all. I remember using it back in high school to polish up a project made of acrylic. Nasty stuff.


Car polishes are truly amazing things. They use very precise particle/particulate sizings and are 100% consistent. One can use the professional versions (such as 3M) in exactly the same way we think of sandpaper grits. I 100% encourage you to use Meguiars SwirlX.


On CA sensitivity, I use Bob Smith Industries (BSI) in thin and medium. Found them to be excellent and non-agitating. Hafele also sent me an entire crate of their CA and Aktivator... its excellent stuff.


To remain, hopefully, non-sensitive, I use only a minimal amount, using the CA on the VIVA paper towels. Occasionally when I'm in zombie-mode (25th pen.... zzzzz) I'll use too much CA on the pen with too much pressure and it will smoke up. I put all the cut off tips into a 20L black concreters bucket I use in the shed (they are excellent!) and the lid keeps the stinks inside.


I also try to have the front of the shed open a bit to get a cross breeze.... but, Ill admit, its not as regular as it should be! :B:B:B