I am making my first set of scales and am getting to the point of finishing them. What do you suggest for a finish? Has anyone used CA glue as a finish? It is for a pair of cocbolo scales.
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I am making my first set of scales and am getting to the point of finishing them. What do you suggest for a finish? Has anyone used CA glue as a finish? It is for a pair of cocbolo scales.
Maybe it's just me, but CA is not a finish.
...Not that I know how to finish wood
For CoCo,which has a very high oil content,Just use a good wax such as ren wax,all that is needed IMO
I have not figured out how to get the CA to lay flat enough that rubbing it to a gloss finish is not that difficult. Every time I use it the surface gets wrinkly and takes a little bit to get it smooth before polishing it. It is a nice finish though on wood. It is also quite hard and will provide excellent protection.
If you decide to try CA as a finish I suggest you experiment on some scrap wood first - it's easy for things to go wrong.
I tried, unsuccessfully, to use it and decided it was not worth the effort. Personally I didn't like the high gloss finish and prefer Bill's suggestion of renwax. For less oily woods you can also try an oil with hardner - this protects against moisture and with a few coats will also buff up to a subdued sheen.
I've used CA on a few razors. Which means I've spent hours upon hours fussing over it to get it right. Looks beautiful no doubt about it.. but it's a PITA! Doesn't really self-level, forms layers, off-gases for a long while so needs to be polished up again.. perhaps depending on the number of coats.Quote:
Originally Posted by Quixoticshaver
Anyway I found myself thinking "there's got to be another way". I've got alot of experience with epoxy from building boats, so the next time I finish anything it will be with a product called Mirror Coat. It self levels. And has other really great properties and characteristics. A friend told me about it. Maybe check that out.
But the best consideration IMHO is what Pixelfixed suggested, just a wood conditioner/sealant wax.. Ren Wax is good stuff. And some woods need nothing but very high grit sanding and buffing..
I've only used it once and it was a complete success. I followed this guide and everything went accordingly. I used fine wet dry sandpapers and blue magic polishing paste to finish.
It is beautiful, but plastic in feel. There is a sense that I'm holding a very nicely printed piece of acrylic instead of wood. The Renwax option is a good one, you can get a nice gloss and still have a natural wood feel with a lot less work.
Renwax on Teak then CA on Oak burl.
At the end of the day,it all depends on the type of wood and how cured it is.JMO
Beautiful scales! Thanks for the advice.
Sounds like I should really try renwax. Thanks for all your input. The only time I used ca glue was on a turning project. The spinning aided by a rag caused it to level well. I wouldn't have that advantage here. Thanks again.
Tricky at first, but CA is a great gloss finish once application steps are worked out. As Hart says above, follow the steps on the how to threads, and the results are wonderful.
For natural wood luster and 'feel', ren wax for sure, and I also like shella-wax cream from Australia. Gives a French rubbed-like finish, very velvety feel.
Cheers.
And remember, most any bad finish can be redone if you don't like the results.
Cocobollo and other Rosewoods are quite oily...
You can use a finish designed for such woods first, then the Ren wax and get twice the protection...
Search Teak Oil and Danish Oil finishes very very easy to do, and great results
Again I cannot emphasize the use of a Acetone wipe BEFORE you use any finish on oily woods to get the best results...
These are great suggestions. I'm going to try them. That Sheila Wax from Australia sounds great. The "feel" of the scales is perhaps overlooked..
And the double protection of the use of a finish and wax sounds very good.
Good stuff! :D
I'm not sure you'd get what you expected if you asked for Sheila Wax in Australia. Sounds very similar to a Brazilian to me.:oQuote:
Originally Posted by MikeT
Dang,, that's quick,, and funny, lol.Quote:
Originally Posted by UKRob
LMAO! Hehehe nice.Quote:
Originally Posted by UKRob