Patchy CA Glue Pen Finish

[Greg Keddy]

Hi All,

I have been making pens for about a year now and I finish with CA Glue. Up until my most recent pen, I was using Special T from LV (high viscosity CA). I switched to Via Bond (another high viscosity CA) glue because its available in larger quantities at half the price.

Last night I finished some rosewood with it and part of the finish came out cloudy. I put 4 coats, lightly wet sanding and drying between the 2nd and 3rd coats. Some of the finish looked great and some of it had a white cloudly appearance, but was still very smooth. I dont think that it is moisture as it is the exact same procedure that I used with the Special T and I never saw this effect.

I tried putting another 2 coats over and it would look ok until I sanded again. Maybe I am missing something? Has anyone else run into this with a CA finish?

Cheers


GK

 

[Greg Keddy]

Well it appears as though it was the moisture. I stripped the finish back to the wood reapplied it without using water when i sanded. I figured maybe moisture could have been getting trapped between the layers of CA glue. Anyway, once i applied my final coat, i switched back to wet sanding and the patchy clouds appeared again.
I think that I will switch back to the LV high viscosity CA. Its thicker, builds a finish more quickly, and doesnt have this clouding issue.

 

[Steven Fitzgerald]

Glad you were able to figure it out. Thanks for sharing this -- it may help others in the future.