Thread: CA troubles

How exactly are you applying the CA? And how many coats did you put on before you noticed this?

Originally Posted by bassmansimon

How exactly are you applying the CA? And how many coats did you put on before you noticed this?

I do not notice the fault until I have wet sanded at least 3 grades. I use the pads from Sandman. I apply between 10 to 20 coats depending on the pen.

Possibly the CA might not have dried between one of the coats?

cookie, if the timber is cocobolo (looks like), it could be the oil in the wood rejecting the c.a.....try wiping with metho before applying

Hi Cookie
I have been using the same CA procedure with good success now for several years. I am not saying that this is the correct way or the only way because it is NOT.

I sand all through the wet and dry gritts (dry) then I coat with thin CA for a couple of coats and then a couple of coats of medium CA (from GPW) I then go back to the thin CA for about a dozen more coats and then I go straight to micro mesh and wet sand all the way through each grit then i cut polish with the micro polish (from GPW) after doing that I finally polish the whole pen with Mcguires plastix polish and that's it. I have had no problem with CA finish since switching to this process.

Finally what i would like you to know is that I use the tough white paper towel to apply my CA. I use one sheet and fold it over and over again making a pillow about 1 inch wide I then cut that pillow into pieces about 20mm wide and that give me about 9 small pads that I use to apply the CA and it is used only ONCE and then thrown away. I just wipe the pad up and down the blank just enough times to spread the CA (Twice) and have found that after doing all this and sticking to that routine I have found that it leaves no scratches or lines in the CA therefore no need at all to sand after applying it.

I will say again some may disagree but It has worked for me and i wish you good luck and once you have a process that works for you just stick with it. I also recommend practicing on just any piece of wood that you can turn down till you get it right.

I hope this helps ?

Cheers Ian

My method is similar to Ians. Are u using activator? if so is it possible that it is not completely dry before applying the next coat of CA. Activator is mostly water and water and CA dont mix.

Originally Posted by tdrumnut

My method is similar to Ians. Are u using activator? if so is it possible that it is not completely dry before applying the next coat of CA. Activator is mostly water and water and CA dont mix.

Yes I do the same as shown on video at Timberbits.
What I use to apply CA is foam pad cut into 1" squares.

Will keep trying and probably make some test pieces might be the way to go.

Thanks for your input. All received with thanks.
Cookie

Try Using just thin CA if you are not doing that and NO activator becuase I have notice that medium CA does not appear to be a fan of Activator.

Cheers ian