Finishing/Clearcoat J/P's and small items

Dirtbmw20

Dirtbmw20

Lee Casto
Silver Member
I know this is one of the most sensative and touchy subjects on the forum. I am not asking for anyone's trade secrets or special formulas, just a little advice for someone that has ZERO experience in finishing and ZERO luck in the few methods I've tried so far.

I am not looking to finish a cue, but yet trying to find an easy solution to putting a nice clear shiny finish on joint protectors and other small items like pocket chalkers and small items such as that.

I have tried several different kinds of CA as a finish and also tried epoxy, and both ended up terrible, so bad that a can of Krylon clear looked better than what I did.

I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions for me for doing small items such as joint protectors.

Has anyone ever used the water borne cue sealer and gloss coat finish from Cue Components ??? Anybody have any feedback on the product ??? Good or bad ??? From just reading up on it, seems like it might do a decent job and able to do small items or small lots at a time without having to mix a huge batch.

I'm open to any suggestion(s) anybody is willing to give or help with. Thanks in advance.


Also, does anyone have any experience with the Cue Cote or the Water Based Urethane finish that Hightower sells ???
 
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I am not a cue maker, but I have been learning to do some things on the lathe. I build pens and wine stoppers etc. I started out with several types of finish before I got the knack of CA finishes. I now use them any time I want a high gloss look. I think that maybe once you learn how to apply it you'll find its easy for small projects.

For larger projects, I would imagine that a different type of finish would be more simple and quicker.

PM me if you would like to know how I do it.
 
Dannydizzan said:
I am not a cue maker, but I have been learning to do some things on the lathe. I build pens and wine stoppers etc. I started out with several types of finish before I got the knack of CA finishes. I now use them any time I want a high gloss look. I think that maybe once you learn how to apply it you'll find its easy for small projects.

For larger projects, I would imagine that a different type of finish would be more simple and quicker.

PM me if you would like to know how I do it.
Click to expand...

Sounds like I'm in the same position as you. I am not a cue maker nor do I intend on making cues, but I have started small projects on my lathe such as joint protectors and have even looked into pens and bottle stoppers.


PM sent...
 
I'll post a pic of my jump cue,
I used the waterborne cc finish. I have had pretty good luck with it.
I really like the system v polish from cc. Works on the waterborne as well as west epoxy and the finish cure from cc.
I have not had very good luck using ca myself.
 
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1344273150.012340.jpg
West Epoxy
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1344273179.406137.jpg
West epoxy
 
Those are both west, I don't have a pic on my phone of mine :)
I use the special hardener.
I spread it on with a foam brush
I do the waterborne the same way, I bought a hvlp all in one unit and a nice little jam gun, haven't even tried them out :)
 
Trent said:
a small airbrush and Automotive clearcoat is the best
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Trent, I wish I knew more about automotive clearcoats, but I know just enough to make it dangerous for me and my family.

I work at a huge car dealership in the parts dept. and at one time when I first started here 15 years ago, we had a rather large paint and body shop but over the years and after buying several other dealerships, we ran out of room and closed the body shop and sub everything out now. If it was about 5 years ago, I would've had plenty of people to do the spraying for me. That's what I did when I built mini-choppers on the side was bring them to work and have them paint them for me, but unfortunately I don't have that luxury anymore.
 
cuejo said:
Those are both west, I don't have a pic on my phone of mine :)
I use the special hardener.
I spread it on with a foam brush
I do the waterborne the same way, I bought a hvlp all in one unit and a nice little jam gun, haven't even tried them out :)
Click to expand...

Not familiar with any of the West products, never seen them, used them, or know anybody that does use them. That's where alot of my problem is, I don't have anyone with hands on experience to help me learn.
 
Dirtbmw20 said:
I know this is one of the most sensative and touchy subjects on the forum. I am not asking for anyone's trade secrets or special formulas, just a little advice for someone that has ZERO experience in finishing and ZERO luck in the few methods I've tried so far.

I am not looking to finish a cue, but yet trying to find an easy solution to putting a nice clear shiny finish on joint protectors and other small items like pocket chalkers and small items such as that.

I have tried several different kinds of CA as a finish and also tried epoxy, and both ended up terrible, so bad that a can of Krylon clear looked better than what I did.

I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions for me for doing small items such as joint protectors.

Has anyone ever used the water borne cue sealer and gloss coat finish from Cue Components ??? Anybody have any feedback on the product ??? Good or bad ??? From just reading up on it, seems like it might do a decent job and able to do small items or small lots at a time without having to mix a huge batch.

I'm open to any suggestion(s) anybody is willing to give or help with. Thanks in advance.


Also, does anyone have any experience with the Cue Cote or the Water Based Urethane finish that Hightower sells ???
Click to expand...



Question: What viscosity CA did you try; thin, medium or thick?
 
Dirtbmw20 said:
Not familiar with any of the West products, never seen them, used them, or know anybody that does use them. That's where alot of my problem is, I don't have anyone with hands on experience to help me learn.
Click to expand...

The best advice I can give you,
Purchase the cue making DVDs from cc
It's an excellent resource......
 
Joe Barringer said:
Question: What viscosity CA did you try; thin, medium or thick?
Click to expand...

Hi Joe and thanks so much for chiming in. I actually used the thin CA that you offer. I have also used the medium CA that you offer (both the odorless) but as of yet, the best CA finish I have accomplished has been useing the medium zap a gap, but I still wasn't pleased with it.
 
Dirtbmw20 said:
Hi Joe and thanks so much for chiming in. I actually used the thin CA that you offer. I have also used the medium CA that you offer (both the odorless) but as of yet, the best CA finish I have accomplished has been useing the medium zap a gap, but I still wasn't pleased with it.
Click to expand...

How do you polish them ?
 
JoeyInCali said:
How do you polish them ?
Click to expand...

Hi Joey and thank you too for shiming in, I always look forward to your advice.

So far, after waiting 24 hours for the CA to dry and cure, I tried useing 600 grit, then 1000, then 1500, then 2000 grit sandpaper. Afterwards I use a turtle wax polishing compound but it seems the sandpaper takes off all the CA I put on from the night before. I'de like to find something a little more "durable" than CA but I will start with anything I can get a good shine out of. I'm not opposed to useing CA IF I could get the process down,lol.
 
I sent the PM. Hope it helps.
P.S. I don't care if you post what I wrote if in fact it does work for you.
 
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