Thread: Lacquer finishing - anyone still doing it?

I rarely use CA - don't like the fumes

I'm trialing WOP - have a couple of test pens out with friends

I usually use the two part Rustins Plastic Coating and have been for years

I quite like Rustin's too - only downside for me is I struggle to apply it without dipping, and dipping is a bit of a pain avoiding build up on the ends!

Yep Danny, that's all I use. I use a $20 airbrush add a coat each day for a week and leave for another to fully harden, gloss as is.
Rgds,
Crocy.

Danny,
I still do. Horses for courses though ..

Les from a Red Deer often mentions he uses a dip method ...

I've been using UBeaut Hard Shellac ... Hard, temp resistant, etc ... I like the finish and can pop the grain.

i believe there are other things you can dip with ... I'm still trialling.

Randal

CA all the way.

if the fumes get you, which they do, you can try the boiled-kettle-steam method.

it saves on using the accelerator.

I finish all my brass rifle cartridge pen barrels and some wood pen barrels using thinned lacquer using my Dipping Method.
I found using spray can lacquer leaves a slight "Orange Peel" effect compared to the dipping method the leaves a smooth finish.

Les

What's this dipping method?

do you leave the pen to drip hang after literally dipping it in nitro or something?

if so, why not just spray with a small airbrush?

Here on one of the pen forums many members use Melamine lacquer as a finish most of those started out using CA I have attached a how to so you can see how most apply it.
It was written by Phil Dart of Beaufort Inks

Les' dipping method is excellent, I suggest reading up on it for anyone who isn't happy with a CA finish! If nothing else, neater for those of us who don't have a spray booth, or the skills to spray as well as some other folks.

Dalboy, for some reason Australia seems to be against lacquer! It's hard to find supplies of most sorts, and I don't remember ever seeing melamine lacquer - I will have to have a look.

Ive tried many different finishes on my pens, and I keep coming back to CA.
I now use Odorless CA | Super-Gold Cyanoacrylate, I have been getting it off ebay.
I use the thin. GPW stocks the thicker one, but I just can't seem to get it to go on as well as the thin. The thin stuff applied with a piece of craft foam, is as easy as spreading marg on hot toast. And there are no fumes at all
Its more expensive than regular CA, but if you use the craft foam for an applicator you don't have any waste like you do with paper towel and such. A 1oz bottle does a lot of pens for me, so the cost of it spread out over that many pens is minor.