Thread: I need some suggestions on scale finishing

I'm in the middle of completing the scales for my first restore. Finishes have always been my downside. I for whatever reason am horrible with any type of finish. Paint, epoxies, varnishes etc. I've always chocked it up to A.D.D. but I'm about to pop here. The current problem I'm dealing with is keeping tiny particles out of my drying finish. Do you guys set up a different room for finishing? Maybe do it in the house? How do you keep your finish flawless while it's drying? I am so afraid of kicking up any dust in here right now that I won't start on another razor for fear of tossing a random hair in its general direction LOL. How do you guys go about finishing?

If you have a dedicated stand for finishing scales, try using some sort of cover such as proper sized tub.

Originally Posted by mainaman

If you have a dedicated stand for finishing scales, try using some sort of cover such as proper sized tub.

Great answer. I've been using the same cardboard box for years, but I'd imagine a clear tub would be better (and you could resist the urge to lift the box for a sneak peek!).

That just gave me a great idea. I'll just use my wife cake carrier. It's not like shes using it right

Thanks for the idea.

Originally Posted by TheRedlines

That just gave me a great idea. I'll just use my wife cake carrier. It's not like shes using it right

Thanks for the idea.

When is the funeral scheduled????

Dude she is gonna kill you..

First off the Minwax Wipe on Poly is probably the easiest finish there is
A box with two pieces of double stick tape gives a solid wiping rest just stick the scales to it hanging over the edge...
Wipe on the finish let dry 1 hr wipe off with either a 3m extra fine pad or 0000 steel wool while resting the scales on the edge of a table for support and repeat for effect.... I do about 8 coats then look for a perfect last coat...

I'll take pics later if ya need or you can search out some of the workshop posts I have it in there I am sure


I know exactly where this restore was over at another forum the idea, I am talking about is in this restore thread Look through there you might get some more ideas too, the same thing is here in the "Workshop" too...

This finishing always drives me nuts. I'm on my 3rd coat of penetrating epoxy with sanding in between as I try to level out the grain and get rid of the lint that found its way in to it. The epoxy has a 2 day dry time between coats. Then onto the wiping varnish/tung oil finish which has a dry time of 12 to sometimes 48 hrs between coats. It just doesn't seem right that I can create a set of beautiful scales in a couple hours and then it takes 2 weeks to protect them. Ughh. Sorry /Rant

Originally Posted by gssixgun

When is the funeral scheduled????

Dude she is gonna kill you..

First off the Minwax Wipe on Poly is probably the easiest finish there is
A box with two pieces of double stick tape gives a solid wiping rest just stick the scales to it hanging over the edge...
Wipe on the finish let dry 1 hr wipe off with either a 3m extra fine pad or 0000 steel wool while resting the scales on the edge of a table for support and repeat for effect.... I do about 8 coats then look for a perfect last coat...

I'll take pics later if ya need or you can search out some of the workshop posts I have it in there I am sure


I know exactly where this restore was over at another forum the idea, I am talking about is in this restore thread Look through there you might get some more ideas too, the same thing is here in the "Workshop" too...

Awesome. Thanks Glen. I've got to run off to a BBQ but as soon as I get back I'll check out the link.
Thanks- Duke

Originally Posted by TheRedlines

This finishing always drives me nuts. I'm on my 3rd coat of penetrating epoxy with sanding in between as I try to level out the grain and get rid of the lint that found its way in to it. The epoxy has a 2 day dry time between coats. Then onto the wiping varnish/tung oil finish which has a dry time of 12 to sometimes 48 hrs between coats. It just doesn't seem right that I can create a set of beautiful scales in a couple hours and then it takes 2 weeks to protect them. Ughh. Sorry /Rant

I don't know what type of epoxy you're using, but I use the system three mirror coat ( Buy Mirror Coat 1-1/2 Pint Kit at Woodcraft.com ) and use cannonfodder's method described here;

Finishing scales using epoxy resin - Straight Razor Place Wiki

One coat is definitely thick enough, and if you cover it during the curing process it works great. Just make sure that if the epoxy you're using calls for a blowtorch, use a blowtorch (the bubbles will ruin the project).

Originally Posted by BigBubba

I don't know what type of epoxy you're using, but I use the system three mirror coat ( Buy Mirror Coat 1-1/2 Pint Kit at Woodcraft.com ) and use cannonfodder's method described here;

Finishing scales using epoxy resin - Straight Razor Place Wiki

One coat is definitely thick enough, and if you cover it during the curing process it works great. Just make sure that if the epoxy you're using calls for a blowtorch, use a blowtorch (the bubbles will ruin the project).

I'm actually using a penetrating epoxy as a base with multiple layers of thinned varnish. The penetrating epoxy is extremely thin allowing the wood to soak it up in the grain and completely seal it off without giving more than a light coating on the outside. It creates a super bond between the wood and varnish as well as seals the wood off from moisture. I'm trying something different than I've found here to see how it works out. I've spent quite a few years on a sailboat and learned this from it. I gotta say though, Glen's suggestion of using minwax poly sure is sounding good right about now though This stuff is taking forever comparatively.

Sounds like a "Wash" coat
I do the same thing before the outside finish but I use a thinned version of the finish I am applying... nice thin layer that soaks deep into the wood... I believe the instructions are in one of those links I gave ya...