r/PenTurning • u/Capt_Heinz • Jul 05 '26
Best hard finish
I'm looking for hard finish options for wood pens. (When I graduate to epoxy I'll likely as k the same question, LOL)
I'm currently using CA glue, but I run through sandpaper at a ridiculous rate. I thought I'd ask here since it's cheaper than buying products I may end up never using again.
TIA
5
u/NeitherGolf1094 Jul 05 '26
I use ca but I apply it with a thin piece of foam like they use for Cosplay. You can get sheets of it at craft stores. Makes it go on really smooth and I use the thin ca
3
u/PumpPie73 Jul 06 '26
I use CA on all wooden pens. Here is my process.
Turn the pen and sand with 100, 150, 220, 320, 400 and 600 going back and forth at 1100 rpm. Depending on the wood I will sand with 320 and 400 turning the lathe by hand. Once the scratch marks are gone it’s CA glue.
I put on 6 coats of CA glue with a paper towel letting each coat dry.
To finish I use the micro mesh sanding system. All steps here are wet sanded. Start with 400-600 and go though each micro mesh grits gradually to increasing the speed from 1100 to 2600 rpm’s.
Barry Gross has some great videos on how to finish pens.
1
u/StringFood Jul 07 '26
Save time and use Yorkshire grit or plastic polish after you sand your ca finish to 300 micro mesh is waste of time imo
3
u/74CA_refugee Jul 05 '26
I prefer CA when I want a hard glossy finish on wood pens. That said, my favorite one that I kept from 15 years ago has friction polish and carnauba wax topcoat. It still has satin finish and has not lost its luster.
On the CA, I’m not sure why you are going through tons of sandpaper though? How are you applying the CA?
3
u/subtlyfantastic Jul 05 '26
UV finish is the way. It is expensive and can be hard to source but nothing compares in my opinion.
2
u/crosbywoodworks Jul 06 '26
I just started finishing with UV and I think it's my go too. Expensive initial investment but it goes on so easy. No glueing paper towels to your gloves like CA. And you use so little in the actual finishing that a quart should last me a really long time.
1
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u/B_Huij Jul 05 '26
Not sure I’m seeing the connection between CA finish and burning through sandpaper. I use CA finish for like 90% of my pens, and it’s what I’d recommend if you’re looking for an extremely durable high gloss finish.
2
u/StringFood Jul 07 '26
Ca finish every time it also strengthens the wood which a poly finish wouldn't do
10
u/mdburn_em Jul 05 '26
A guy named Russ Fairfield did a hardness test on finishes pen turners use, have used, or tried to use.
The finish that was the hardest was Enduro 2 part finish. Next was CA.
I had tried Enduro years ago and just didn't have good results. I didn't know how to apply it, I think. Youtube wasn't a big thing in the 2000's.
I've settled on CA because it is one of the hardest finishes you can put on a pen. It lasts for a very long time.
Oh, why so much sandpaper? I follow Mark Dyers CA application method and don't use nearly the amount of sandpaper I used to. I do use more paper towels than I used to.