Thread: Which Finish is best

Hey Ian,

I use CA/BLO, and I'm happy because I can do a pen in one visit, I would like to try some other things, but shed time is limited and I want to make the most of it. The bloke at the Paint place in town has given me some product that takes 24hrs between coats, but it looks super. I'll give it a try soon, maybe in the heat box it might be doable.

It will be good to hear what others have to say.

HazzaB

I use 2 finishes
For slimline and streamlines I use Shellawax and EEE
The reason I use this finish is because it quick and easy and keeps the price down on these kits if someone is willing to pay more then I will go to my preferred choice.
My preferred choice is CA/BLO I like this because it is quick compared to WOP or the dipping method I do not or I should say have not used CA because I can't source aerosol accelerator locally.
I have used WOP but found it to time consuming and it ties up your mandrel so while you wait you cant turn another. Yes you can buy more mandrel (like I did) but I found even with 4 mandrel you still had down time witch is no good when your time is very limited. As for the finish when completed I think it is a good as any.
I have not tried Rustin's on pen yet but I have used it on thing like vases and goblets and found it to be very satisfactory. one day I will have a go on my pens one day.
As for the dipping method I think that is in the far far future but from what I see it looks really good.
Personally I do not think it is the finish but more how you apply the finish and how you polish the finish so it is more a matter of finding a finish that the application technique works for you.

That is my $2.50 worth

Thanks so far Guys I appreciate your imput and as I stated earlier I have no idea about some of the other finishes available. So here is my dumb question for the day what is involved or what is CA/BLO finish I have no idea yet i see it written alot on the forum.

Thanks again Ian

For a quick finish I use CA/BLO. Works well on most timbers and is done in one sitting so to speak. WOP is good but you have to be prepared to wait between coats. It doesn't have to tie up your mandrel, you can apply the WOP off the mandrel. I apply it with a small camel hair brush and have made a simple rack to store the blanks on while drying. (just some 4 inch nails hammered into a block of wood does the trick) It gives a really nice finish and probably my favourite. You need to put the blanks back on the mandrel to "finish" sanding them to 12000 micro mesh. After that I polish with Brasso and then with a car wax polish.
I have used just CA as a finish and that seems to make a nice job. You don't have to use accelerator with CA if you wait for 20 or 30 seconds between coats. I have never used an accelerator.

CA/BLO is slightly different to just CA
You use Medium CA not thin and you Boiled linseed oil instead of the accelerator.
Here is how I do it in basic format if like I can explain in more depth.
You finish turning the blank as per normal
then sand to 600 grit
then I fold paper towel (a small piece 60mm x 40mm approx) in half and then half again to give 4 layers
Apply CA to the paper towel and the rub on to your blank
Then apply BLO to a new piece paper towel and rub that over the blank
then with fresh piece of paper towel rub of the BLO
Then sand with 600 grit
and repeat as many time as you like I normally do 5
then sand with 600 and then I use acrylic sanding pad
and then polish

As I said this is a rough version hope it helps

Originally Posted by munruben

I have used just CA as a finish and that seems to make a nice job. You don't have to use accelerator with CA if you wait for 20 or 30 seconds between coats. I have never used an accelerator.

I have never herd that before I must try it
Hmmm what to do for 30 sec Hmmmmm might move my rum fridge a bit closer to the lathe

Originally Posted by Rum Pig

I have never herd that before I must try it
Hmmm what to do for 30 sec Hmmmmm might move my rum fridge a bit closer to the lathe

I suggest moving the fridge 15 paces away from lathe ,walk to fridge,open, swig, close fridge and walk back, that should take up thirty seconds hehe, but not an excuse to put on a hundred coats of finish !!!!!! Cheers ~ John

Originally Posted by gawdelpus

I suggest moving the fridge 15 paces away from lathe ,walk to fridge,open, swig, close fridge and walk back, that should take up thirty seconds hehe, but not an excuse to put on a hundred coats of finish !!!!!! Cheers ~ John

100 coats I reckon all 3 pens would look good by then

CA for reasons of "Time Constraint". I would love to try WOP , Sam uses that and has beautiful results. Amos

Originally Posted by rum pig

100 coats i reckon all 3 pens would look good by then:u

:d

I usually use Shellawax or more recently Rustins. Have had some success with it and Brett from Addictive does a great job with it.

Can't stand CA - I like my lungs too much, though plenty pf people are ok with it, so long as the ventilation is good.

Cheers,
Dave

I'm not getting into this argument again! I'm going to leave all my pens unfinished from now on, and just call them "Rustic"

Russell.

I've mainly used shellawax
have found that with some people it can dull really quickly with use - dunno why as with others it seems ok
haven't tried wop (yet)
tried dipping - didn't work but I think that was my technique rather then the method, will be trying again, soon
ca/blo has worked for me but don't like the ca fumes much

Hi Guys

Is this the Rustins we are talking about , been curious about it campare to Glow or shellawax / sh&thot wax finish

rustins