Hi all,

I just got done trying to put a CA finish on a pen part, all was going well then suddenly I guess the glue set and it snatched the paper towel out of my hand ( this is one reason we suggest paper towels for lathe work and not rags) and wrapped it around the blank.

I assume that I can't just get the towel wet or it may mess up the finish under the towel (please correct me if I am wrong on that). I also do not have 1000 grit sand paper to gently rub it off. Any suggestions as to how best to remove it? Its pretty well glued to the blank or i could just peel most of it off. i also don't have the luxury of long fingernails to gently scratch it off (I need a girlfriend lol)

Thanks

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Charles Nicholls
Site Host
nicholls61@att.net
http://www.nichollswoodworks.com
This website is new so it doesn't have much to it yet but you are welcome to take a look

If it were me I would put it back on the lathe and turn it off.  I have had that happen when using medium or thick CA.  I don't think the coat before was dry before I applied the next coat.  I just had towel fuzz though.  You will have to re sand again with 600 grit or so.

Chuck it back up in the pen mandrill and turn it off with light passes. 

Most places that sell the CA also sell a de-bonding agent. Wouldn't that be simpler that turning it again?

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Gene
'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton

Acetone might take it off.

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John Moody
Site Administrator


John Moody Woodworks
http://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com

Charles,

I have been searching for a video I watched a long time ago about CA finishes. So far, no luck in being able to locate it. The video showed a technique of applying CA in a different fashion than most folks use. As I recall, the presenter prepared about 20 paper towel "applicators". He just tore narrow strips of paper towel and folded them into about 1/2" wide strips. With the lathe turning, he added a drop or two of CA to the tip of the "applicator" and then touched the towel to the underside of the spinning blank moving it along the length of the blank. He did not use any pressure from his finger/hand to press the towel to the blank. He disposed of the towel, sprayed the blank with CA accelerant (dryer), pick up another paper towel applicator, a few drops of CA and repeated the coverage, sprayed accelerant. He continued until he had applied about 20 coats of CA. I don't remember him shutting off the lathe during the entire application process except to illustrate what he was doing. Then he sanded (polished) the blank to bring up the shine. I think he was using thin CA but can't remember.

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Lew Kauffman-
Wood Turners Forum Host

Time traveler. Purveyor of the world's finest custom rolling pins!

Here is a video of William Young doing a CA/BLO finish. This is the method that I use.

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John Moody
Site Administrator


John Moody Woodworks
http://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com

During my search, ran across something interesting about CA. It apparently reacts with cotton products (paper towels?). The reaction cause a tremendous heat build up, which probably hastens the drying time. So maybe the paper towels you were using had some cotton fibers?

Charles Nicholls said:

Lew, I remember a video like that too but haven't found it since. I only apply light to medium pressure to try and make sure that the glue doesn't glob in one spot and to get it down in any low spots. I think this was the first time though that i had anything near a major problem with applying it. It actually nearly pulled my finger into the lathe because the paper towel didn't tear fast enough when the glue set on my finger.

Lewis Kauffman said:

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Charles Nicholls
Site Host
nicholls61@att.net
http://www.nichollswoodworks.com
This website is new so it doesn't have much to it yet but you are welcome to take a look