What did i do wrong? Applying cigar band then applied many coats of medium ca glue then sanded.
- Thread starter Suskmorrison
- Start date
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Hippie3180
Member
I don't do labels, but do use a lot of ca for some of the stuff I do.
1) Could your ca have not been thoroughly dry between the coats? Did you give it enough time to set up before sanding?
2) Did your accelerant blister your ca? (If you used it)
3) Was your label thoroughly dry before you started with the ca?
These are some things that come to my mind in terms of troubleshooting.
GaryMGg
Member
Could be moisture.
CA and moisture are adversaries.
CA and moisture are adversaries.
OldFox
Member
We have produced hundreds of Cigar Band blanks for Sierras pens.
We use Mat lacquers spray can finish.
The blanks are loaded on CNC lathes, we go low rpm and and put multi coats with in a minute apart.
Go to: https://www.oldfoxpenblanks.com/
We use Mat lacquers spray can finish.
The blanks are loaded on CNC lathes, we go low rpm and and put multi coats with in a minute apart.
Go to: https://www.oldfoxpenblanks.com/
Hippie3180
Member
You need @sorcerertd or @JohnU to chime in. @sorcerertd just did one that was awesome, and @JohnU is a professional blank maker.
I think @sorcerertd turned his in a wood lathe, so it can be done.
I think @sorcerertd turned his in a wood lathe, so it can be done.
JohnU
Member
It could be the wood you're using. If it's an oily wood be sure to wipe it down with DNA or Acetone first. It still looks bumpy in the CA. I'd continue to sand on it to smooth it all out and see what you have.
I alway lightly spray my paper labels with a clear spray. It will help seal the dyes in so nothing bleeds with the CA. Then apply a thin CA layer over your wood to seal it. Then apply the label and let it the adhesive dry for a day. I also warm the blank up up after the paper label is on to remover any moisture from humidity before building my CA layers. I Apply several light coats with medium CA (Gluboost) and I allow each layer to fully core before applying the next. Once I have 5-6 layers applied, I sand the blank level with 360-400 grit sandpaper. Be careful not to sand through the finish and hit the label. Then I use #0000 steel wool with the lathe on high to smooth the surface out before I micromesh. Then I polish and buff. As you go, if you see any issues on the CA layers, stop and sand it down a little to remove them. The problem with medium CA is its thickness can actually seal blemishes in the cA finish. If needed, use a layer of thin or ultra thin during the process to fill any small voids. I only use medium because it faster to build a thick layer of the cigar band. You can use thin but want, just apply more layers to there's no issues with exposing the band during the finishing.
You can also finish the wood with a ca finish and then apply the label and seal it with 4-5 layers of thin CA. And finish. You'll feel the raised label but it will be protected under the ca.
I alway lightly spray my paper labels with a clear spray. It will help seal the dyes in so nothing bleeds with the CA. Then apply a thin CA layer over your wood to seal it. Then apply the label and let it the adhesive dry for a day. I also warm the blank up up after the paper label is on to remover any moisture from humidity before building my CA layers. I Apply several light coats with medium CA (Gluboost) and I allow each layer to fully core before applying the next. Once I have 5-6 layers applied, I sand the blank level with 360-400 grit sandpaper. Be careful not to sand through the finish and hit the label. Then I use #0000 steel wool with the lathe on high to smooth the surface out before I micromesh. Then I polish and buff. As you go, if you see any issues on the CA layers, stop and sand it down a little to remove them. The problem with medium CA is its thickness can actually seal blemishes in the cA finish. If needed, use a layer of thin or ultra thin during the process to fill any small voids. I only use medium because it faster to build a thick layer of the cigar band. You can use thin but want, just apply more layers to there's no issues with exposing the band during the finishing.
You can also finish the wood with a ca finish and then apply the label and seal it with 4-5 layers of thin CA. And finish. You'll feel the raised label but it will be protected under the ca.
sorcerertd
Member
I didn't fuss too much with the CA on one that I just made. I put a couple coats of CA on the plain blank and then polished it smooth before applying the label. I used CA to affix the label, but will use something different next time. It dried way too fast for me to position it the way I wanted it, but I got lucky enough to have it pretty close. I put several layers of GluBoost medium on over the blank and label, then a few more of the thin. I did not scrape, sand, or polish it at all after that. The surface is not even, but I liked it that way. You can kind of feel the label "bump" through the CA, but it is still very well protected. Besides, cigars are not perfectly smooth, right? I'll have to be a lot more patient if I want to make a more refined cigar label pen with a smooth polished finish. Maybe we should send @JohnU our labels and just have him cast them. I have a couple really cool ones that I don't want to mess up.
As far as what may have happened to yours...
As far as what may have happened to yours...
- What kind of CA did you use? Stick Fast used to do that to me all the time. GluBoost is a lot more money, but also a lot less frustrating (and less goes to waste).
- How thick did you apply the CA? When I wanted thick coverage or to build up a blank that I had overturned, I used to put super thick coats on CA on. That never worked out well, either (especially with Stick Fast! Can you tell I don't like that stuff?)
- Is that an oily wood? If so, wipe it down with some DNA or Acetone before applying any CA.
- What were you scraping it with and was it sharp? Like really sharp?
- Maybe you were overly aggressive at scraping it?
Mortalis
Member
It looks like too much accelerator was and then next layer of CA dried too quickly and left divots and craters that show up when sanding.
leehljp
Member Liaison
Lots of possibilities for the problem. If you want a thick layer of CA that will not be sanded through, don't use paper towel as the applicator. It works for some but not for everyone. The paper towel (PT) absorbs more than is put on. Use a thin foam sheet piece as applicator, or the small bags that pen parts come in - to apply the CA.
Do you have a good set of calipers? I measure my pens just before applying CA, and then after applying - to measure the level of buildup. I have a few pens that I have to know the thickness so that I do not sand through the CA back to the wood, or it will mess everything up. by knowing the thickness, I know how much I have sanded or turned to smooth the CA.
Do you have a good set of calipers? I measure my pens just before applying CA, and then after applying - to measure the level of buildup. I have a few pens that I have to know the thickness so that I do not sand through the CA back to the wood, or it will mess everything up. by knowing the thickness, I know how much I have sanded or turned to smooth the CA.